Simi Coach Is Removed Amid Inquiry

Mike Scyphers, among the most successful high school baseball coaches in Southern California, has been removed from coaching at Simi Valley High School because of a police probe into possible financial and disciplinary improprieties, Simi Valley police said Tuesday.

Scyphers, who has brought the Simi Valley program to national prominence in his 16 years as coach, denied any wrongdoing. The 41-year-old coach will keep his position as a physical education teacher and has not been arrested, police said.

School officials declined to elaborate on the charges, but police confirmed that the Simi Valley school district is auditing the baseball program’s finances.

According to police, the investigation was prompted by school district officials, who contacted authorities last month to request assistance investigating “possible financial improprieties, improper discipline practices and other conduct which may have criminal application related to the boys’ baseball program at Simi Valley High School.”

Simi Police Lt. Mark Layhew said, “(The school district) contacted us April 19. I’m reluctant to identify their source of information. Disclosure of any of those specifics may compromise the investigation.”

Scyphers said he was unaware he was under investigation until he arrived at school Tuesday morning and found a substitute teacher in his class. He said he was told to report to Principal Kathryn Scroggin’s office.

Scroggin, Scyphers said, then informed him that he was removed as baseball coach pending the completion of the police investigation. He was told to remain on campus until he met with the team early in the afternoon, then go home, Scyphers said.

Scroggin refused to comment, referring all inquiries to the school district. Mary Beth Wolford, the school district superintendent, would not give specifics on the nature of the investigation.

“I’m really bitter about it,” Scyphers said. “I’ve built a real good name for this program and someone out there is trying to tear it down. I don’t think someone realizes what they’re doing. . . . I think it’s a disgruntled parent who has not taken everything into consideration before making that phone call.”

Scyphers stood quietly outside a school building with his head down and continued to defend his practices.

“They can’t even begin to say I’ve taken more money out of this program than I’ve put into it,” Scyphers said. “I paid $600 for vans one year (on a team trip to) Florida. I didn’t get reimbursed for that because money was tight. The ‘SVs’ on our helmets, I paid for those and never got reimbursed.”

Police were at Simi Valley High on Tuesday interviewing baseball players. Members of the team declined comment, saying police ordered them to do so.

According to Scyphers, police asked players about a team disciplinary practice called “the block.” When a baseball player violates team rules, his teammates bid for the opportunity to administer a single swat with a wooden paddle to the offending player.

Players pay cash to Scyphers, who said he used the money for incidental team expenses such as a party at the end of the season or gasoline for the field lawn mower.

“If this is about ‘the block,’ that’s ridiculous,” Scyphers said. “It ranged from $2 to $4 and we’ve only done it, maybe five times, this year. . . . It’s been a tradition at this school since 1980, but I’ve really slacked off lately.

“The kids love it. They’d rather take a quick swat on the butt than miss a game.”

Terry Hankins, whose sons Ryan and Mike have both played for Scyphers, was surprised by the charges, saying he has never written a check to Scyphers.

In 15-plus seasons, Scyphers has led Simi Valley to a 314-109 record and eight Marmonte League titles. During the 1986 and 1993 seasons, Simi Valley was ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today.

Assistant Coach Russ Stephans and Scott Radinsky will take over the team, Scyphers said. Both are Simi Valley graduates. Radinsky is a member of the Chicago White Sox, away from the team because he has been undergoing treatments for a form of cancer.

Even before the latest developments, this had been a tumultuous season for Simi Valley. The team had lost four of its past five games and was in danger of missing the playoffs. Senior Bill Scheffels, the team’s best player, dropped out of school Monday rather than face an expulsion hearing for making a phony bomb threat at school.

Mike Scyphers’ Career Highlights

* Graduated Canoga Park High in 1971

* Played point guard for Cal State Northridge, 1971-74

* Named head baseball coach at Simi Valley High, 1979

* Won eight Marmonte League championships (1981, ‘82, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88, ‘89, ‘91, ‘93)

* Simi Valley ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today during 1986 and ’93 seasons

* Simi Valley reached Southern Section final in 1993, losing to Esperanza, 3-0, at Anaheim Stadium. Reached section semifinals in 1980 and ’86.

* Simi Valley involved in postgame brawl with league rival Thousand Oaks in 1984. Five Thousand Oaks players were hospitalized.

* Team traveled to Orlando, Fla., to participate in prestigious Colonial tournament in 1986, ‘87, ’88 and ’92. Pioneers won tournament title in ’86 and ’92. Participated in tournaments in San Mateo in 1989 and Las Vegas in 1993.

* Selected Times All-Ventura County coach of the year in 1989, ’91 and ’93