De La Salle cancels first five baseball games for conduct violations

CONCORD — De La Salle has suspended its varsity baseball team for the first five games of this season for violations of school policy, team rules and code of conduct, the school said Tuesday.

In response to requests for comment from the Bay Area News Group, De La Salle said in a statement that each of the five games could result in a forfeit.

The school added that the team will “participate in reflective and restorative activities designed to reinforce the school’s expectations and strengthen leadership within the program.”

The statement did not provide specifics about the violations.

The Spartans were scheduled to open their season Wednesday at home against Central Coast Section powerhouse St. Ignatius. That game, one Saturday at St. Mary’s-Stockton, two at a tournament in San Diego on March 5-6 and a March 13 game at Jesuit-Carmichael have been canceled.

“The goal of this action is not solely disciplinary, but formative to ensure that students grow in character and responsibility as representatives of De La Salle High School,” the school said in its statement.

“De La Salle High School holds its students and student-athletes to the highest standards of conduct,” the statement added. “Participation in athletics is a privilege that carries significant responsibility to teammates, coaches, opponents, and the broader school community. When those standards are not met, appropriate and meaningful consequences are necessary.”

St. Augustine athletic director Matt Linville, whose school was scheduled to play De La Salle in San Diego, told the Bay Area News Group that the canceled game won’t become a forfeit unless his baseball program cannot fill that spot in the schedule.

The Spartans are the undisputed best team in Northern California, coming off a season in which they won the top divisions in the North Coast Section and NorCal playoffs. They have captured eight NCS Division I titles and 15 overall and three of the four NorCal Division I titles that have been contested.

“While this situation is disappointing, it presents an important opportunity for accountability, reflection, and growth,” De La Salle’s statement said. “The school is committed to working with the student-athletes and coaching staff to ensure a clear understanding of expectations moving forward and to reinforce a culture rooted in our core values of faith, integrity, and scholarship.”