Queen Creek baseball probation rescinded after coach Mikel Moreno opts to step aside for a year
The Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Board rescinded Queen Creek baseball's probation status, reducing it to a warning, after Tuesday's appeal hearing.
The move came after the team's head coach agreed to step aside for one year.
Queen Creek officials walked past media without commenting after the AIA board's vote came down.
AIA Executive Director David Hines said he couldn't comment on Queen Creek's further corrective action.
But head coach Mikel Moreno told The Republic that he voluntarily took a one-year suspension from coaching.
"I honestly believed that was what it was going to take," Moreno said. "I wanted to make sure our boys got every chance.
"I'm not going to leave any stone unturned. I was going to make sure we did everything we could to give our boys a chance to compete in the playoffs."
The Bulldogs will be eligible for the 2023 postseason without Moreno in the dugout.
Moreno was outspoken last May after the AIA ruled that Queen Creek had to forfeit its state playoff win over Chandler Hamilton that would have eliminated the Huskies from the double-elimination tournament.
However, Queen Creek was punished for using a pitcher in relief who exceeded the pitch count rule after having pitched two days earlier. The AIA has pitch count bylaws that schools have to abide by.
As a result, the Bulldogs had to forfeit the Hamilton win and the Huskies then went on to win the 6A state title.
Hines acknowledged that Queen Creek has new administrators who were not involved last year.
"It was a very difficult for the administration to come in new to the school," Hines said. "They were going to have to make decisions that was done in the past. I commend that they saw the seriousness of the situation and responded."
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Queen Creek baseball probation rescinded, Moreno won't coach for year
