Sports

Police Report Sheds Light On Mysterious Spring Break Rumpus That Forced Ohio Baseball Coach’s Exit

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The Rocky River High School baseball team was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a spring break tournament in early April. An unexplained altercation reportedly occurred involving players.

Days later, head coach Ed Piazza resigned as did assistant Michael Harper. A recently unveiled police report sheds light on the situation.

The incident occurred on April 10th after a Pirates win over Wellsville (NY). Details of what happened were kept under wraps in the days to follow, though the baseball season was briefly postponed amid an investigation.

With specifics of the incident unexplained, mystery surrounded Piazza’s exit. What happened to cause his resignation?

What did Rocky River baseball do in Myrtle Beach?

The school, located in northeast Ohio, travelled down south for spring break. It won each of its games in the tournament to improve its record to a perfect 6-0 on the season.

After the final victory, the team celebrated. Something then happened during the wee hours of the night. Police were involved.

A new report details what occurred. Players apparently got into a physical altercation with members of a nearby college fraternity.

According to the North Myrtle Beach Police Department, on Saturday, April 11, officers were called to 250 Main Street at approximately 3:41 a.m. to meet with a person who said one of “his juvenile baseball team members was involved in an altercation earlier that day.”

Rocky River baseball players say they were harassed unprovoked by the fraternity members. The fraternity refuted that claim, instead insisting that members were trying to get the players to leave their property.

Both sides admit that a Rocky River baseball player threw a punch.

What is the fallout?

On April 15th, head coach Ed Piazza and an assistant stepped down from their posts. Assistant coach Craig Moro will fill Piazza’s role.

As the investigation in Myrtle Beach rolled on, Rocky River opted to postpone baseball activities. It canceled a game this week. The next game is scheduled for April 18th.

Ed Piazza released a statement on his resignation Thursday on social media. He wants to clear his name of any wrongdoing.

“To be absolutely clear, neither Mike Harper nor I were involved in any criminal investigation or any illegal activity of any kind,” the letter read. “Any claims or suggestions otherwise are completely false… I will not continue to engage with or respond to unfounded rumors.”

There are still questions surrounding the incident. Where were the players before the fight occurred? Was Piazza aware of their plans? What sparked the argument?

The police report helps clear up a few missing pieces. Rocky River High School baseball will be under new leadership moving forward.