League Alignment Fight Continues

The Southern Section Releaguing Committee will hear appeals today on Orange County league realignment, which is scheduled to begin in the fall of 1998.

Today’s hearing begins at 2:40 p.m. at the Sequoia Athletic Club in Buena Park.

The most contested change, which principals approved, 47-13, in February, moves Mater Dei from the South Coast to the Sunset League and Marina from the Sunset to the Pacific Coast.

Marina Principal Carol Osbrink believes the plan violates section guidelines on competitive equity, travel costs and equal enrollment, and she is expected to request the plan be returned to principals for further review. Laguna Beach Principal Barbara Callard filed a similar appeal on behalf of six current Pacific Coast teams.

Four other Sunset League schools are expected to speak on competitive equity and geographical concerns. Esperanza is expected to ask to be moved into the Century to cut down travel costs.

The six Century principals have filed a joint appeal asking for the plan, as is, to be approved by the Southern Section in September.

If approved, here’s how the leagues would stack up for the four-year period beginning in the fall of ‘98:

* Sunset: Mater Dei would join Edison, Esperanza, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach and Los Alamitos.

* South Coast: El Toro and Santa Margarita would join Capistrano Valley, Mission Viejo, San Clemente and Trabuco Hills.

* Sea View: Aliso Niguel, Dana Hills and Laguna Hills would join Irvine, Newport Harbor and Woodbridge.

* Pacific Coast: Corona del Mar and Marina would join Costa Mesa, Estancia, Laguna Beach and University.

In addition, Northwood, which is scheduled to open in Irvine in 1999, would join the Pacific Coast League. There would be no changes in the Century, Empire, Freeway, Garden Grove or Orange leagues.