Jason Groome, the top high school pitcher in the nation, was ruled ineligible on Thursday, and it’s all because of a state’s transfer rule.
Barnegat High School left-hander Groome, who’s widely expected to be the top pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, was ruled ineligible and his victories with the team to be forfeited after violating the NJSIAA transfer rules reports NJ.com. The violation was handed out because bylaws determined Groome’s transfer from IMG Academy to Barnegat “did not constitute a bona fide change of address,” meaning he had to sit 30 days or half the season’s games to become eligible.
“The association’s rules clearly state that a student-athlete transferring from one secondary school to another must provide evidence of a bona fide change of residence as defined by NJSIAA rules,” NJSIAA spokesman Michael Cherenson said in a statement released to NJ Advance Media. “Otherwise, that student will be deemed ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletic competition for 30 calendar days or half of the maximum number of games allowed in that sport by NJSIAA rules. Further, if it is determined that an ineligible player participated in regular season games, those games must be forfeited. Neither ruling is open to appeal.”
That’s a bizarre, crappy thing to happen to a 17-year-old kid. Rules are rules, but to have to forfeit victories after moving back home after one spring away is a tough pill to swallow. It’s not like Groome broke any baseball related rules, but was punished instead for breaking bylaws. It’s tough to see bureaucracy get in the way of baseball.
https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/720695936196980739
Groome will be eligible to return on either May 1st or for Barnegat’s 12th game of the season, whichever comes first.
https://twitter.com/PhilAnastasia/status/720689871816409090
The Phillies are expected to take the 6’6″ lefty first overall in June’s Draft, and it’s highly doubtful that this ruling will have any implications on that selection.
[Image via Chris Rotolo/App.com, NJ.com]
