This could get interesting.

http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1094617.html

It's such a shame....he's a very good coach.

Wow. Being an outsider looking in, there appear to be more issues with this case than are apparently being addressed. Many people have a lot of respect for the HC coach. My concern has often been and remains that coaches end up taking the fall in situations that are much bigger than something they say or do. They work for pennies, take from their family time, and receive very little in return. Seems like a mighty big decision to fire a long time coach for what is listed in article at least.

Interesting. Why would the coach's attempt to work out some resolution or have the kid return to HC, cause the KHSAA to "call into question whether or not the original objection of Henry Clay was a valid objection." Didn't see anything said by the father to refute the claim that they moved specifically to find their son a new school for whom to play. On the surface at least, it sounds like KHSAA simply wanted to stay out of a messy situation.

Interesting. Why would the coach's attempt to work out some resolution or have the kid return to HC, cause the KHSAA to "call into question whether or not the original objection of Henry Clay was a valid objection." Didn't see anything said by the father to refute the claim that they moved specifically to find their son a new school for whom to play. On the surface at least, it sounds like KHSAA simply wanted to stay out of a messy situation.

 

You're exactly right...KHSAA saw a way to back off and they did, as usual.

Another step in the right direction to aid in mending fences between Fayette County Schools and LexCath. :bunny:

This could get very interesting indeed.

Interesting. Why would the coach's attempt to work out some resolution or have the kid return to HC, cause the KHSAA to "call into question whether or not the original objection of Henry Clay was a valid objection." Didn't see anything said by the father to refute the claim that they moved specifically to find their son a new school for whom to play. On the surface at least, it sounds like KHSAA simply wanted to stay out of a messy situation.

 

 

Well, let's see Coop . . .Public School system with a history of accusatory actions toward a private school . . . a private school suddenly looking like the innocent party . . .a dad who is an attorney . . . hhhmmmmmmmmm. I believe you are 100% correct.

 

Also like Bluegrass said, why no consideration here for the 17 years? I know Herb and he has indeed put alot of sweat equity into that program and that facility. There's got to be alot of information not being released here.

Two things here:

 

One, it was rumored that Hammond forbid his players from playing outside the framework of their summer ball team, which was supposed to be comprised of Henry Clay players. With the recent proliferation of many different Central Kentucky travel ball programs, this mandate somewhat limited his high school players from playing for these teams which would give them outstanding college and professional exposure. From what I understand, this has become a big point of contention at HC, especially with guys like Will Hurt who played for the Kentucky Baseball Club last year, where he began to gain notoriety already, still as a freshman.

 

Two: Lexington Catholic's head coach is a big part of the Kentucky baseball club program, and surely there were conversations between he and the Hurts regarding the prohibitive situation of summer ball and subsequent exposure. It would be a long shot to say that Hurt simply decided on a whim to transfer to Lex Cath - there were almost certainly discussions about this move conducted behind closed doors which could be construed as "recruiting."

 

It feels as though neither parties in this situation are totally free and clear of guilt. The fact of the matter, though, is that if Hammond had allowed his players to do whatever they wish for summer ball, then this whole situation could have been avoided. When it all comes down to it, baseball should be about the kids and they should be free to do whatever they want outside of the high school season so that they can gain the best chances to play after college if that's what they desire.

 

I'm sorry to hear about Coach Hammond's dismissal, as I've heard nothing but great things about him, but I'm also glad that the player in the situation will not be penalized for transferring because after all, it's about the kids, not the adults as we sometimes forget.

Two things here:

 

One, it was rumored that Hammond forbid his players from playing outside the framework of their summer ball team, which was supposed to be comprised of Henry Clay players. With the recent proliferation of many different Central Kentucky travel ball programs, this mandate somewhat limited his high school players from playing for these teams which would give them outstanding college and professional exposure. From what I understand, this has become a big point of contention at HC, especially with guys like Will Hurt who played for the Kentucky Baseball Club last year, where he began to gain notoriety already, still as a freshman.

 

Two: Lexington Catholic's head coach is a big part of the Kentucky baseball club program, and surely there were conversations between he and the Hurts regarding the prohibitive situation of summer ball and subsequent exposure. It would be a long shot to say that Hurt simply decided on a whim to transfer to Lex Cath - there were almost certainly discussions about this move conducted behind closed doors which could be construed as "recruiting."

 

It feels as though neither parties in this situation are totally free and clear of guilt. The fact of the matter, though, is that if Hammond had allowed his players to do whatever they wish for summer ball, then this whole situation could have been avoided. When it all comes down to it, baseball should be about the kids and they should be free to do whatever they want outside of the high school season so that they can gain the best chances to play after college if that's what they desire.

 

I'm sorry to hear about Coach Hammond's dismissal, as I've heard nothing but great things about him, but I'm also glad that the player in the situation will not be penalized for transferring because after all, it's about the kids, not the adults as we sometimes forget.

 

But ultimately that very thing (moving to a new school for the sole sake of playing for that school's sports team) is not allowed by KHSAA, just like recruiting by a coach is not allowed. So Hammonds - by all accounts a good person and fine coach - gets fired for doing what he wasn't supposed to, but the kid and his father get a free pass for doing something improper? It doesn't seem equitable.

Edited January 14, 201016 yr by cooperstown

But ultimately that very thing (moving to a new school for the sole sake of playing for that school's sports team) is not allowed by KHSAA, just like recruiting by a coach is are not allowed. So Hammonds - by all accounts a good person and fine coach - gets fired for doing what he wasn't supposed to, but the kid and his father get a free pass for doing something improper? It doesn't seem equitable.

 

I very much agree with this - I was just trying to look at it from the standpoint that the student athlete wasn't penalized.

But ultimately that very thing (moving to a new school for the sole sake of playing for that school's sports team) is not allowed by KHSAA, just like recruiting by a coach is not allowed. So Hammonds - by all accounts a good person and fine coach - gets fired for doing what he wasn't supposed to, but the kid and his father get a free pass for doing something improper? It doesn't seem equitable.

 

Exactly the real issue here. And exactly why the folks at KHSAA will let it die without challenge or investigation. Let's see what happens at the Baseball Coaches Association conference this weekend. I bet we'll hear some comments from there.

I very much agree with this - I was just trying to look at it from the standpoint that the student athlete wasn't penalized.

 

And that's understandable. Hate to see a kid get hurt by the parent's actions, though I suspect he wasn't dragged screaming by his father down this path.

 

I guess my problem is that, based on the limited information in the article, is appears as though the dad went out of his way to get this coach fired (including such frivilous complaints as that he attended - not coached, but attended - a summer game) for his misdeeds, yet they (dad and possibly the kid) have no repercussions from their actions.

Exactly the real issue here. And exactly why the folks at KHSAA will let it die without challenge or investigation. Let's see what happens at the Baseball Coaches Association conference this weekend. I bet we'll hear some comments from there.

 

Keep us informed. Kind of sad to see a good baseball man tossed out. If he'd have done something really egregious - strike a kid, knowingly use an ineligible player, etc... - it would sit better. This just seems excessive and that they somehow overlooked a "middle ground" type resolution.

I guess my problem is that, based on the limited information in the article, is appears as though the dad went out of his way to get this coach fired (including such frivilous complaints as that he attended - not coached, but attended - a summer game) for his misdeeds, yet they (dad and possibly the kid) have no repercussions from their actions.

 

Exactly.