Canfield, OHSAA win their day in court
Canfield High's Division II state semifinal game against Sandusky Perkins will be played as scheduled, Friday at 10 a.m. at Cooper Stadium in Columbus.
The Cardinals' forfeit victory over Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin in the regional final last week was upheld in Geagua County Common Pleas Court by Judge David Fuhry.
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin had requested a temporary restraining order to halt Canfield's state semifinal game after their appeals to the Ohio High School Athletic Association were denied. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin officials claimed the forfeit was not the proper penalty for the use of an illegal player.
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin inserted relief pitcher Mike Muenster in the fourth inning of last Friday's game. He threw one pitch before rain suspended the game, and during the delay Canfield coaches discovered Muenster was not on the 18-man active roster submitted by ND-CL prior to the contest. Tournament officials contacted the OHSAA who clarified state rules for the umpiring crew, and the umpire-in-chief declared the game to be a forfeit.