My two cents: Sahuaro in limbo after TUSD decisionΒ
After 18 games, UA-bound Sahuaro High School baseball playersΒ Javier MedinaΒ andΒ Cesar SalazarΒ have been declared ineligible by TUSD.
Both have signed letters of intent to play for UA coachΒ Andy LopezΒ next season, and both are among the top players in the state. Salazar, a catcher, was hitting .613 and Medina, a pitcher, was 4-0 with 62 strikeouts in 37 innings.
The two players are part of a messy he-said, she-said run-in with a disgruntled parent and summer/club ball finances. The collateral damage includes not just Medina and Salazar, but veteran coachΒ Mark Chandler, one of the best in Tucson. He has not been allowed to coach for two weeks.
The TUSD clock and investigative process moves very slowly. It will be a surprise if Salazar, Medina and Chandler return this year, even though the Cougars, 16-6, have become a state playoff contender.
Whatβs sad is that Medina and Salazar spent two years establishing residency in the Sahuaro district after moving from Mexico in 2012. They were patient for the AIA process to play out, followed the residency rules during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, and finally, when they got a chance, blossomed.
Now Sahuaro, its coach and two star players are in limbo. The regular season ends in 10 days.
Iβve long maintained that when the AIA and TUSD get involved at the administrative level, big or small, you can kiss your immediate high school sports journey goodbye.
