by Heather Graf
COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Local parents call it a brutal form of bullying, that their children allegedly endured on the baseball diamond. Now, two of the men who coached the team are accused of turning a blind eye.
It happened at Whitthorne Middle School in Columbia.
A spokesperson for Maury County Public Schools told News Channel 5 two coaches of the school's baseball team have been relieved of their duties as coaches, pending a complete investigation.
Kim Doddridge said state and federal privacy laws prohibit her from saying too much, but she did confirm the incident involves alleged bullying and/or harassment among players.
"I don't think they should be coaches anymore" said Smitty Counts, whose son goes to Whitthorne, but is not on the baseball team.
Parents of the players did not want to speak on camera, but told us they are happy with how the school system is handling the situation, and say school leaders took action the moment they were notified.
One parent, who did not want to be named, provided a few more details. He claimed the two coaches were allowing, and sometimes encouraging, two players of their choice to beat up on teammates inside the locker room.
"It's very shocking, I can't believe that a coach would have kids out there fighting like that," said Keisha Cothran, a Columbia resident who frequently saw the team practicing in front of the school. "If it were me, I would take my child off the team."
One of the two coaches involved is a teacher, but the school system says this investigation will not keep him out of the classroom.
The other coach is a volunteer, and is not an employee of Maury County Schools.
The team, meanwhile, is still intact. Parents said they practiced indoors on Wednesday due to inclement weather.
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