(Don't) Play Ball at Davis

UC-Davis released the statement below concerning suspension of its baseball program under mysterious circumstances.

Statement on UC Davis Varsity Baseball Team

by News and Media Relations July 14, 2021

Intercollegiate Athletics issued the following statement today (July 14):

The safety of students is of utmost importance to UC Davis. The university has learned of allegations of misconduct involving the varsity baseball team. The UC Davis Office of Compliance and Policy is investigating these allegations, and the entire baseball program has been placed on suspension pending the outcome of this review. In addition, the baseball coaching staff has been placed on administrative leave.

The review is expected to last for the first couple months of the fall quarter. At this time, it is too early to know definitively when team activities, including practice, may start. There will be updates as more information is available.

Confidential resources are available to help affected members of the campus community. These resources include Student Health and Counseling Services and the Ombuds Office. 

We are committed to conducting a thorough assessment to determine the best path forward to provide a safe and inclusive experience for all team members.

Source: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/statement-uc-davis-varsity-baseball-team

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The story was picked up in various news sites, but without further clarification concerning what happened:

From The Hill:

...The school did not immediately provide details on the allegations. A spokeswoman for UC Davis declined to share details, citing privacy concerns, but told The Hill that the school will share additional information "if the allegations are substantiated." UC Davis said its investigation is expected to last through the first two months of the fall quarter, adding it’s unclear when the baseball team can restart their activities.

Full story at https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/563189-uc-davis-baseball-team-suspended-amid-investigation-into-misconduct

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From the Sacramento Bee:

...[Athletics Director Rocky] DeLuca could not be immediately reached for comment. He wrote in an email to incoming student-athletes, in part that UCD has been “asked to investigate allegations of misconduct with the varsity baseball program, and as a result, I am also placing the baseball program on an interim suspension.” The letter also included, “we understand that receiving this news may be difficult and upsetting” and that the internal review “does not impact your admissions nor your athletic scholarship with UC Davis.”

DeLuca wrote that if any players wanted to leave UCD that he can contact the school’s Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance Katerhine Zedonis to discuss withdrawing from UCD “and/or a release of a National Letter of Intent to start the recruiting process again.”

The letter concluded with, “we are committed to conducting a thorough assessment to determine the best path forward to provide a safe and inclusive experience for all team members. We will keep you informed if there are updates we’re able to share prior to the start of the fall quarter.”

Full story at https://www.sacbee.com/sports/college/article252788803.html

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And that's all we know.