Two northwest Georgia high school baseball teams are holding their breath after the Georgia Court of Appeals overturned a ruling that had caused the Class A public school playoffs to be suspended.
The Georgia High School Association's appeal Friday of an injunction order entered into the Charlton County Superior Court this week has, at least for now, given Class A public teams a schedule. Originally set for Thursday, the second-round playoffs are now set for Monday and, if necessary, Tuesday.
The GHSA's release read, "The Court of Appeals for the State of Georgia Friday suspended the order (of injunction) entered on May 2, 2018 by the Superior Court of Charlton County. The effect of this ruling is to reinstate the Class A public baseball brackets as originally published by the GHSA."
That means Gordon Lee will host Clinch County in a doubleheader start to a best-of-three series Monday at 5, while Trion will play at Irwin County, also at 5. It will be the second five-hour trip there in five days for the Bulldogs.
The question remains, however, whether the Charlton County school system will seek further litigation, which would mean an appeal to the state's Supreme Court. An email request to Charlton County Superintendent John Lairsey was not answered as of press time Friday.
Meanwhile, Trion and Gordon Lee are preparing for a Monday start.
"I haven't heard anything, but who knows?" said Gordon Lee coach Mike Dunfee. "We are set for Monday at 5. My thing is, they broke the (pitch count) rule, and I don't agree with what the GHSA did, but they ultimately got it right. If you break the rule you forfeit, that's what it is. Charlton isn't disputing that; they're disputing how it was handled.
"What if they do appeal? Now you are messing with these kids' memories they would have the rest of their lives. Is it worth it? I know I couldn't do it. We are just ready to play ball. I don't care who it is or where it is: We are just ready to play. We haven't played since last Wednesday."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22