SoCalHoops Recruiting News
SoCalHoops Recruiting News
HS Coaches' Alert: Lawsuits Are
Just
Around The Corner--(Dec. 20, 2001)
Here's a word of free legal advice to all high school coaches out there: Before you cut little Johnny, or make him shoot too many jumpers during practice, or run too hard, or not hard enough, think about the effect you'll be having on his pro career, or his college recruitment. Don't be too hard on the poor little tyke (and don't be too soft either, which can be just as bad), and don't be too lax with him physically (or make him work too hard either), because you could be negatively impacting the next Kobe's earning power. College coaches might not be interested unless you develop the kid properly. How do you do that? Hey, you figure it out! That's why you're the coach, right? But if you don't, watch out. You're likely to get sued. Really.
In the annals of the law, strange things occur every day. New theories spring up out of nowhere. Lawyers are always on the cutting-edge, pushing the envelope, inventing new claims where none previously existed, protecting the rights of the down-trodden......er, um, right.
And sometimes, they just push some wacky ideas.
If you thought the case of Jawaan Rubin (brother of UCLA guard Janou Rubin) was extreme, apparently, it's not an isolated event. You remember Jawaan Rubin? We passed that one on a few days ago, the case in which it was reported that Jawaan's high school varsity coach had cut him from the team, demoting him to JV, and then asked him not to return at all when the parents complained that they weren't "consulted" about the cut. The father sued the coach, and claimed the measure of damages was Jawaan's diminished pro basketball earnings.
Far-fetched? Certainly. But it's apparently catching on elsewhere and in other sports.
Yesterday, the Orange County Register carried a similar story written by Dan Albano about a lawsuit filed against the head baseball coach at Corona del Mar HS by the father of a former CDM player, contending that the coach damaged his son's recruitment. We haven't seen a copy of the complaint, but you can bet we'll be heading over to the courthouse in Santa Ana to take a peek.
In the meantime, this ought to give every high school coach out there something to think about......(of course, we're not suggesting what that "something" ought to be......but it is thought-provoking, isn't it?). Here's the article from yesterday's OC Register (which is available at the Register by clicking on the headline).....Hey, we're not making this stuff up you know.....
He claims Corona del Mar's coach damaged his son's recruitment.
December 19, 2001
By DAN ALBANO
The Orange County RegisterThe father of a former Corona del Mar High pitcher has filed a lawsuit against his son's high school coach alleging that the coach damaged his son's recruitment after a disagreement over pitch counts.
Marc Martinez, father of right-handed pitcher J.D. Martinez, filed a complaint against Corona del Mar coach John Emme seeking more than $25,000 in damages, including emotional distress.
Judge Johnathan H. Cannon is scheduled to hear the complaint during an evaluation conference in Orange County Superior Court on Jan. 2.
The suit alleges that Emme, 38, made "derogatory and/or negative" statements to potential college coaches about Marc Martinez and/or his son after a disagreement in late 2000 or early 2001 about the number of pitches the staff was being required to throw. Marc Martinez alleged in the suit that he was concerned about the potential harm the throws could have on his son's arm "for future college participation and potentially professional baseball."
Marc Martinez also alleges in the suit that Emme denied a problem and indicated that he would "close the door" to J.D.'s participation in college baseball if "he discussed this topic with anyone else."
The complaint alleges that Emme made negative statements about J.D. to "induce the college baseball program to not offer any form of financial assistance." Martinez said his son is taking a year off from college baseball and is playing on a club team.
J.D. played on Corona del Mar's varsity team in 1999 and 2000, compiling a 5-7 record. In the two seasons, he pitched 66 innings and allowed 98 hits and 71 runs (46 earned).
Emme said before last season that Marc Martinez "pulled" his son off the team. Emme, who is entering his fifth season, declined Tuesday to discuss why Martinez took his son off the team.
"Ultimately, I regret the impact it (this situation) has had on J.D.," said Emme, who guided the Sea Kings to a CIF Division IV title in 1999 and league crowns in 1999 and 2001.
Former Corona del Mar standout Ty Harper, now a junior at Pepperdine, said Emme is careful with his pitchers' arms and works hard to help players earn scholarships.
