July 5, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Allegations Run Rife as Drugs Suspected in Samohi Baseball Team:

By Sebastian Lopez

Three baseball players from the Santa Monica High School baseball team have been suspended for one week and six baseball games after allegedly smoking marijuana during a baseball tournament in San Diego, according to several sources who spoke directly with The Mirror.

The incident occurred while the team was participating in varsity games in San Diego during spring break.

The sources, who wish to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, also claim that the entire incident is a cover up and that the team and coach should be facing more serious consequences.

According to one source, who said they have been speaking with parents from the baseball team, more than four players,  who were singled-out at the time, were involved in the alleged drug-smoking incident, and at one point the coach interrogated one of the players alone in the bathroom.

“The school is sending the wrong message,” commented Tony Todd, former Santa Monica High School assistant baseball coach. “They’re saying, ‘As a student athlete, you can do drugs and move on with your career just fine,’ and it starts with the coach.”

According to Todd, current Samohi Baseball Head Coach Loren Drake, has not handled the incident properly.

“This situation never should have happened,” Todd said. “We went to San Diego six years in a row while I was there and something like this never happened because we set the rules on day one.”

While the details of the incident and subsequent allegations may be up in the air, the fact that something did indeed occur, is not; Santa Monica-Malibu United School District (SMMUSD) confirmed that an investigation is under way.

“I am unable to verify the details of the alleged incident with the three Samohi students who were sent home early with a parent from a baseball tournament during spring break, due to privacy laws,” said Gail Pinsker, Community and Public Relations Officer for SMMUSD. “The alleged incident is under investigation and any disciplinary action considered will be based on the adherence to Education Code and SMMUSD board policy.”

Pinsker also noted that the results pertaining to the investigation will remain confidential, as is required.

“I think it’s a cover up, I heard even the coach’s son was involved,” James McPherson, Santa Monica High School alumni and former Samohi Baseball player, told The Mirror.

The current allegations are the tip of the iceberg, according to several sources, who claim that the boys singled out are covering for the starters who got caught, and that the team is well-known for holding beer pong parties and gambling.

As more details come to the surface, the worrying situation is creating ripples in the Samohi community, many concerned that it highlights a much deeper problem endemic to the team.

“I was informed by some of the kids on the team because they still confide in me and told me everything that happened,” Todd explained.

The establishment is trying to cover it all up because the coach and principal of Santa Monica High School are very close friends, according to Todd.

“I think what happened in San Diego is a small part of the whole thing,” a parent of one of the baseball players on the team told The Mirror. “There is a lot of mismanagement going on starting with the head coach.”

in News
<>Related Posts

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...