Central head coach Sham Gabehart has been suspended by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association for the remainder of the 2026 high school baseball season. The punishment stems from an argument with an umpire during which he stripped his clothes from his body.
It was an all-time meltdown!
Although the Wildcats are good enough to compete without their head coach, the timing is not ideal. Louisiana got its high school baseball playoffs underway this weekend.
Central made the Louisiana high school baseball playoffs.
Although Central High School is technically located in Central, Louisiana, its address falls under the greater umbrella of Baton Rouge. Central is the third-largest city in East Baton Rouge Parish. The high school was founded in 2007. It enrolls approximately 1,600 students in Grades 9-12.
The Wildcats compete in the first division (Non-Select) of LHSAA sports. Their baseball program is one of the most successful in the state. They have won at least 24 games in each of the last five seasons.
Central finished the 2026 regular season with an overall record 24-9. It finished second in the district at 7-2 to make the playoffs as the No. 11 seed. There is enough talent on the roster to make a deep run.
However, the season has suddenly taken a turn for the worst.
The Wildcats lost to the No. 22 seed by a final score of 8-7 in the first game of the bi-district playoff series on Friday. They will also be without their head coach moving forward.
Head coach Sham Gabehart is suspended for the season.
Gabehart was displeased with the high school baseball umpiring crew during a doubleheader against Calvary Baptist last Saturday, to say the least. He stormed out of the dugout in rage after his player was called out on a bang-bang play at second base.
He thought the runner was safe. The umpire call him out.
Central’s head coach was not happy. Gabehart removed the upper half of his uniform from his body in protest of the call. He stood shirtless next to the third baseline after removing his hat and two shirts.
🚨EXCLUSIVE: Central baseball coach Sham Gabehart suspended by LHSAA for stripping while arguing a call.
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) April 18, 2026
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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association took a few days to review the matter. It announced on Wednesday that Central high school baseball coach Sham Gabehart will be suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season, which includes the playoffs.
Central principal Brandon LaGrue sent the following letter to parents:
“This afternoon the LHSAA notified us that they have suspended Coach Gabehart for the remainder to the baseball season including all post-season contests and practices. This is a developing situation, and we regret that we did not have the opportunity to schedule a parent meeting to deliver this information.”
The loss on Friday, which took place without Gabehart, reflects a tangible impact from the suspension. The Wildcats must now win their next two games to advance to the next round of the playoffs.