Santa Ana Unified School District takes action after Segerstrom baseball put on probation

Several CIF by-laws were violated, officials said. The Jaguars must forfeit all wins and are not eligible for playoffs. Coach and principal removed.

Segerstrom High School’s baseball team was placed on probationary status due to violation of CIF by-laws and will be ineligible for the CIF playoffs, CIF officials said Thursday in a release.

The probation is effective immediately and runs through Feb. 16, 2026.

In additon, Segerstrom, which was 12-7 overall and atop the Golden West League standings with a 5-2 record will forfeit all of its wins this season.

“A school being placed on probationary status means the sanctioned program is ineligible to participate in the 2024-2025 CIF Southern Section Baseball Championships,” CIF officials said in a release. “Segerstrom High School may apply to the CIF Southern Section Office for reinstatement to full status in the sport of baseball after Feb. 1, 2026.”

CIF officials noted that the probation factors included were CIF Bylaw 500C, Authorized Participation; CIF Bylaw 510, Undue Influence and CIF Bylaws 503, 503A, 503B, Administrative Oversight.

CIF officials said they would have no further comment.

Santa Ana Unified School District released a statement Thursday night to OC Sports Zone through Fermin Leal, Chief Communications Officer.

The SAUSD statement:

“The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability across all school programs, including athletics.

“Following a concern regarding potential violations of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) bylaws by the Segerstrom High School Boys Varsity Baseball team, SAUSD conducted an internal investigation. The District verified that CIF rules had not been properly followed and reported findings to CIF.

“CIF confirmed the District’s findings. As a result, CIF has issued sanctions that include the program being placed on probationary status effective immediately until Feb. 16, 2026, the forfeiture of all wins in the 2024-25 season and ineligibility for the upcoming CIF Southern Section Baseball Championships.

“As part of the District’s response to these findings we have temporarily removed Principal David Casper from his position at Segerstrom High School and temporarily reassigned him to another role within the District. Additionally, Head Coach Erasmo Ramirez has been removed from his coaching duties, pending further review.

“To maintain continuity in leadership, SAUSD Director of Secondary Student Achievement Celeste Migliaccio will step in as interim principal. The current assistant principals will remain at Segerstrom and continue in their roles to provide daily support to the school community.

“SAUSD is fully cooperating with CIF and remains focused on supporting the affected student-athletes, who will be allowed to complete their season. Counseling and additional support services are being made available to students and families as needed.

“At this time, no other athletic programs at Segerstrom High School have been impacted by this investigation. Honesty and integrity are core values at SAUSD, and we expect all staff and programs to reflect these principles in their actions. Our goal is to ensure that every student has access to a fair, safe, and accountable learning environment—on and off the field. Additional updates will be provided as appropriate.”

Ramirez, contacted by OC Sports Zone, was asked for reaction Thursday but said, “no comment at this time.”

Segerstrom was scheduled to host Kennedy in the second game of a league series on Thursday. But a reporter from OC Sports Zone who was scheduled to cover the game was told by a security person and another school official that the game had been cancelled. No reason was given.

Thom Simmons, assistant commissioner of the CIF, said there were no additional comments and directed OC Sports Zone back to school officials.

Segerstrom Athletic Director Nick Canzone could not be reached for comment.

Segerstrom was also scheduled to host Kennedy on Friday in the final game of the series, but it is not known if that game or any other Segerstrom games will be played this season.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com