Pinrgy appeal rejected by NJSIAA, per Big Blue coach Feltre, following sub controversy

Pingry baseball coach Anthony Feltre says the NJSIAA has denied the Big Blue’s appeal after what the coach says was an illegal substitution in the fifth inning of their opening round Non-Public South A playoff game Wednesday afternoon.

Ninth-seeded Pingry’s 14-3 loss at 8th-seed Paul VI will stand, and the Eagles will move on to the sectional quarterfinals next Tuesday at top-seed Red Bank Catholic.

NJSIAA bylaws do not allow appeals of umpire calls, even in cases of a misinterpretation or misapplication of rules.

Feltre told Central Jersey Sports Radio Wednesday evening that a relief pitcher came in for Paul VI’s starter in the top of the fourth. With the DH in the starting lineup for the right fielder, Feltre says the starting pitcher – who was hitting for himself – re-entered the game to bat in the bottom of the fourth, which is allowed in high school. But Feltre says then came back in to pitch for the top of the fifth, which is not allowed.

Feltre says the “umpire agreed it was illegal, but since it was under protest, allowed the pitcher to stay in, which should not have happened.”

Feltre says he informed his Athletic Director, and that of Paul VI, and says the home plate umpire told him he would reach out as well to NJSIAA Chief Operating Office Tony Maselli, who is in charge of baseball for the state athletic association.

Thursday, the NJSIAA denied the appeal, since appeals are not permitted, per the athletic association’s bylaws.