Dissenting Simi Valley Parents Meet With Principal : High school baseball: Attorney representing players to seek restraining order allowing Scyphers to return.

Baseball parents remain dissatisfied with officials at Simi Valley High after three of their representatives met Friday with principal Kathryn Scroggin regarding suspended Coach Mike Scyphers.

Maureen Celusta, the leader of the group and mother of senior pitcher Nathan Celusta, has retained attorney Lawrence Trygstad to represent the players who will seek a temporary restraining order that could return Scyphers to the team, possibly as early as Tuesday.

Trygstad said he hopes to speak with the school board on Monday and have a hearing on Tuesday. The players contend that Scyphers’ suspension at this point in the year--only three games remain in the regular season--adversely affects the team, Trygstad said.

“There appears to be no compelling need to suspend Coach Scyphers at this point, so why not let the season play out so the team is not damaged and then conduct the investigation?” Trygstad said. “If any discipline were to be warranted, it could always be imposed at a later time.”

Scyphers, 41, who brought the Simi Valley baseball program into national prominence during his 16 years as coach, was removed on Tuesday pending police and district investigations into possible financial and disciplinary improprieties.

More than 20 angry parents gathered at Simi Valley High early Friday morning to question school officials about the subject of the investigation. Police and school officials have refused to discuss the investigation.

Scroggin would allow only three parents into her office, Celusta said.

The meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes, included Scroggin, assistant principal Denise Vale, assistant superintendent Susan Parks, Celusta, and parents Irene Michael and Kathy Kozlowski.

“They really didn’t (answer any questions),” Kozlowski said. “I basically just thought they talked in circles.”

Scroggin could not be reached for comment, but school board member Debbie Sandland said she believes the investigation of Scyphers is warranted.

“I am very sorry for the situation and my sympathies go out to the kids in the program and to their parents,” Sandland said. “I’m sure it is a very difficult time for them but just because (Scyphers) is successful (on the field) doesn’t mean we can turn our back on very serious concerns.”

After the meeting ended, Fred Boyer, the father of junior Brett Boyer, angrily confronted Scroggin outside the office.

“I asked her a couple questions but we didn’t get any answers,” Boyer said. “There were a couple things I was upset about. . . . It sure does upset me, especially when the police have interviewed my child.

“Some of the questions they asked my son kind of led me to believe they are on a witch hunt for Scyphers. I don’t think they have anything, I think they are looking for something.”

Gail Weaver, the mother of senior Jeff Weaver, asserted that the district violated its own policies this week because players were interviewed by police about Scyphers without a school official present.

“I’m concerned about that, too,” Sandland said.

Scyphers admitted he accepted $2,000 from an adult baseball league in return for use of the baseball field at Simi Valley High, a violation of state law. He also admitted to paying his assistant coaches with a portion of the money, a violation of Southern Section rules.

Parents say police have questioned players about a team disciplinary practice in which players bid for the right to paddle each other. Such paddling is prohibited by the state disciplinary code, according to a state official.

Even though some parents might question those practices, they fear Scyphers’ reputation has been unfairly tarnished.

“I feel sorry for Scyphers because, if you agree with his coaching or whatever, they’ve kind of ruined his reputation,” Boyer said. “I don’t agree with everything he does, but I certainly think he’s being mistreated.”