Tom Seyler, who was fired as the Palisades High baseball coach after his pitchers hit seven Chatsworth High batters in a playoff game, has dropped his appeal.
Seyler was scheduled for an appeal hearing on Tuesday, June 19 but decided to resign as baseball coach instead of going through the process.
He will continue as the school’s magnet coordinator.
The issue was whether Seyler ordered the batters to be hit. He initially said that wasn’t the case, insisting he only wanted his pitchers to throw inside against the powerful Chatsworth lineup.
But in a statement on June 19 Seyler took responsibility for the outcome.
“I want to make it clear that I called every pitch during the Chatsworth game – not my players or assistant coaches,” he said. “I take full responsibility for what occurred.”
Seyler offered more in his statement.
“I’ve been a dedicated baseball coach for the last nine years,” he said. “I’m demanding and have high expectations.
“I’ve been told by various teachers, administrators and parents that I have the best behaved sports team on campus. My goals included developing a team, not individuals, teaching players to work hard to advance their baseball skills and get them into the best colleges across the nation.
“We are blessed with great kids at Palisades High. I’ve enjoyed working with them and watched them win four straight Western League championships.
“It has been a tough three years in my personal life, losing both parents, and I want to thank all the players, coaches, teachers and fans for their support.”
No replacement has been named.
Palisades has fielded two teams in American Legion baseball this summer in preparation for next season, when it is expected to face strong competition from Hamilton and University highs in the Western League.
The Dolphins lost the controversial game to Chatsworth, 11-1. Chatsworth then defeated Kennedy High, 2-1, in the LA City championship game. In Western League play Palisades went 15-0.
