Baseball: Santa Monica appears to have avoided more controversy

Santa Monica, the team that advanced in the Southern Section Division 3 baseball playoffs earlier this week after winning a protest that Peninsula engaged in an illegal batting practice with Wiffle balls prior to the game, had more controversy in its 7-0 quarterfinal victory over Paloma Valley on Friday.

In the fourth inning, players left the bench during a dispute at third base. There was no fight, and the umpires did not eject any players, according to Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons.

As of Saturday afternoon, Simmons said no players are subject to missing the next game. If any players had been ejected, they would be ineligible to play in the semifinals against Palm Desert.