Scyphers Case Takes U-Turn in Simi Valley : Jurisprudence: Taping of conversation with coach backfires on father of former Pioneer player.

The man who taped a telephone conversation with Simi Valley High baseball Coach Mike Scyphers was charged Thursday with a misdemeanor for recording confidential communications, said Don Grant of the Ventura County District Attorney’s office.

Ray Rainer will receive a letter from the district attorney’s office ordering him to appear in court on a specific date, Grant said. Rainer will not be arrested unless he fails to appear.

The crime, considered a high-grade misdemeanor, is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, a year in jail or both, Grant said.

“There’s nothing to comment on at this point,” said Rainer, who lives in Simi Valley. “We’ll just see what happens.”

Rainer has said he taped a September phone conversation with Scyphers in which the coach tried to persuade him to send his twin sons, sophomore pitchers Matt and Mike, to Simi Valley instead of rival Royal High.

Rainer said he did not tell Scyphers he was taping the call.

Rainer’s allegations began another controversial chapter for Scyphers, who Wednesday completed a six-game suspension imposed by Simi Valley Principal Kathryn Scroggin for violating Southern Section undue-influence rules.

Contributing: John Ortega.