Ineligible player throws curveball into region softball tournament

A Shaw softball player was ruled ineligible on Thursday, throwing the Region 1-4A softball tournament off track in what was a wild day of rescheduling.

The Lady Raiders had gone 2-1 in the tournament, with Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Cairo punching their would-be ticket to the state softball tournament. But because the ineligible player participated, the Lady Raiders retroactively lost their first two games and were therefore eliminated.

Shaw head softball coach Laurie McInroy did not respond to a request for comment.

According to the GHSA Constitution, page 37, by-law 2.63, item f, "The minimum penalty for allowing an ineligible athlete to participate in an interscholastic contest is forfeiture of the game(s)."

Per Muscogee County Schools District athletic director Jeff Battles, the GHSA offered a statement that, “Shaw committed a GHSA eligibility infraction and had to forfeit their tournament games.” The GHSA has not responded to requests regarding the situation.

Thursday’s turn of events forced Northside athletic director Morgan Ingram to quickly rework the schedule with the input of several other schools, most notably Cairo, which was suddenly back in the tournament due to Shaw’s elimination.

After discussion, two games originally slated for Thursday were moved to Friday. Cairo plays Hardaway at 1 p.m., with the winner facing Columbus at 3 p.m. The winner of the 3 p.m. game plays Northside at 5 p.m.

A 7 p.m. winner-take-all game would take place if the Lady Patriots lose the 5 p.m. matchup.

This story was originally published October 6, 2017 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Ineligible player throws curveball into region softball tournament."