Atlantic Cape baseball coach resigns following illegal devices found inside players’ helmets
Coach Rodney Velardi was fired from his position after his players were found using illegal communication devices inside their helmets
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[Umpires in talks with the coach. Pic Credit: NY Post]
In a shocking revelation on Friday, the head coach of the Atlantic Cape College baseball team was forced to resign. This development occurs after two of his players were caught cheating using illegal devices inside their helmet. Rodney Velardi, who was in position for 13 years, had to vacate his office at the commands of the college.
The incident when the devices were found is reported to have taken place on April 22. On that day, the Atlantic Cape lost a game of baseball to the Rowan College Gloucester County by a 11-4 scoreline. This all started when Gloucester County pitcher Ethan Dodd, suspected of some foul play in his game a day before the incident.
Dodd’s suspension came true the following day when his teammate Felix Diaz complained to his coach. The first baseman informed his coach of hearing some noises coming out from the helmet of an Atlantic Cape player. Following this coach Rob Valli went over to the umpires and asked them to check of something fishy. The umpires were able to find communications device attached inside the helmets of his runners.
Coach Rodney Velardi facing outcome by investigating body
After investigation by the umpires following the complaints, Rodeny Velardi was found guilty of breaking rules. He was discovered using a livestream from a center field camera to find out the signs used by the catcher. All of this action of stealings signs was being telecasted to him on his device.
“We found that coach Velardi was in direct violation of the NJCAA Region 19 rules. Whether or not that was done intentionally, we couldn’t tell, but he was in violation. And of course, as an institution, we had no idea. I apologize on behalf of the college to Rowan College Gloucester County and anyone else that might’ve been affected,” Laura Batchelor was quoted by NY Post.
Gloucester County went on to clinch both doubleheader games, but the damage was already done. Velardi was initially handed a two-game suspension by his college and further two games by Region 19. However, no players were fined or punished for their involvement. After an internal investigation, Velardi was asked to tender his resignation and leave the premise. Further actions against him will be taken only after an outcome has been delivered by the NJCAA Region 19 review.
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Vinay Dave
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