Kentucky players accused of vandalizing baseball field unlikely to be suspended, principal says

Johnson Central High School leaders are not expected to suspend any baseball players in Friday’s State Tournament game after speaking with law enforcement, Principal Justin Arms told the Herald-Leader Thursday.

Paintsville Independent High School, which won the 57th District baseball championship, had its baseball field vandalized last weekend.

Johnson County Superintendent Thom Cochran previously said there were “JC” signs spray painted, as well as district runner-up medallions belonging to members of the Johnson Central baseball team left on the field. Police are investigating.

Johnson Central is set to face Campbell County at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the first round of the state tournament at the University of Kentucky’s Kentucky Proud Park.

Paintsville police officials and Cochran did not immediately comment.

Arms, Johnson Central principal, issued a statement Thursday apologizing to Paintsville High School and sharing new details about the incident:

“Anytime you deal with a rivalry such as Johnson Central and Paintsville, emotions run high. Regrettably, with that being said, judgment can get clouded and unfortunate incidents occur. I do want to apologize to Paintsville High School and their baseball program for what transpired. Some accusations were blown way out of proportion…and some things that were being said were proven to be inaccurate by local law officials through their investigation. We are still cooperating with them and support their decisions that they make.”

Arms does not condone the students’ actions and said they “were wrong and should’ve never been there to begin with. “He said some of the damages to the field included “field paint on the dirt, a bench turned upside down, second base pulled out of the sleeve and the medals on the field.”

“I do feel that in certain situations with rivalries, it’s adults that tend to make things worse than better. I’ve seen it first hand being on both ends as I am a graduate of Paintsville and currently the principal at Johnson Central,” the statement continued. “Additionally, I think that so many have been quick to demonize or characterize these students as hardened criminals but they are good kids that made a mistake. However, sometimes you have to mess up before you grow up.”

Kentucky High School Athletic Association Commissioner Julian Tackett said this week vandalism is a local matter for the courts and local sheriff or police jurisdiction.

“This was done outside the scope of contests and both school administrations will work toward a mutually agreed solution,” Tackett said.

“The students — if that’s who is found to have done this — are not our jurisdiction 24/7. In general, conduct is a local school issue unless it happens during a game or when game officials have jurisdiction,” Tackett said.

As runners-up in the district tournament, Johnson Central advanced to the 15th Region tournament, which the Golden Eagles subsequently won. Paintsville was eliminated in the region semifinals by Lawrence County 3-1. Johnson Central defeated Lawrence 4-1 in the region championship game for the title and a bid to this week’s state baseball tournament.

This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 5:17 PM.