Section to Widen Ball-Doctoring Probe

The alleged use of doctored footballs during the 2002 Southern Section playoffs grew more controversial Wednesday after Commissioner Jim Staunton agreed to investigate charges that at least three more schools altered logos in defiance of section policy.

Los Alamitos, Hacienda Heights Los Altos and Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills were accused by several members of the public at a meeting of the section’s executive committee of altering logos on other brands of footballs to make them look like Spaulding balls, which are mandated by the section for use during the playoffs.

The section has a five-year, $250,000 sponsorship deal with Spaulding, but Staunton admitted many football coaches do not like the company’s ball.

Last month, the committee found two-time Division II champion Mission Viejo in violation of its sportsmanship policy for altering a Wilson football for the 2002 championship game.

The committee ordered all gate receipts from the 2002 playoffs to be withheld until the Diablo coaching staff completes a two-day ethics seminar and it banned Mission Viejo from playing host to any playoff games next season.

Mission Viejo, which stands to lose thousands of dollars from the penalties, balked and, led by Principal Marilyn McDowell, brought the matter back before the committee Wednesday.

After hearing nearly three-dozen pro-Mission Viejo speakers, including Diablo Coach Bob Johnson, the committee voted, 12-3, to reaffirm the punishment.

Johnson told the committee that on several occasions during the last two seasons he had Wilson footballs altered to look like Spaulding balls, but that both he and McDowell, who is also a member of the executive committee, had permission from section assistant commissioner Rob Wigod. Staunton steadfastly refuted that claim.

Later in the day during the open session, long after Johnson and Mission Viejo’s supporters had departed, Staunton said he is also investigating whether youth football camps run by Johnson violate the section’s association rule.

Paul McLeod

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The Southern Section postponed until today a ruling that could knock Lakewood out of the Division I baseball playoffs.

Lakewood defeated Moreno Valley Valley View, 4-3, in a second-round game Tuesday, but the game was played under protest because Valley View Coach Matt Davis claimed Lakewood took illegal batting practice before the game.

Lakewood Coach Spud O’Neil said his team was playing “pepper,” a warmup exercise that typically does not utilize hard hitting but includes soft overhand throwing.

As per section playoff rules, teams may not engage in pregame batting practice that involves “any type of pitching motion with any type of ball from in front of the batter [including pitching machines or overhand throwing].”

Valley View administrators arrived at the section office in Los Alamitos on Wednesday morning with videotape and photographs taken by team parents that show Lakewood players taking illegal batting practice, Davis said.

“What they did was way more than pepper,” Davis said.

Mike Bresnahan

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Lake Balboa Birmingham and Los Angeles Dorsey are expected to battle for the boys’ title when the City Section track and field championships are held today at Birmingham.

Gardena is a slight favorite over Birmingham in the girls’ competition in the meet that starts with field events at 2:30 p.m. and running events at 5:30. The first varsity field events are expected to start at 4:30.

-- John Ortega