Amphi High School's Baseball Coach Has Some Explaining To Do. By Vicki Hart EARLIER THIS WEEK the rumors were flying like fly balls--district officials were investigating Amphi High School baseball coach Danny Hernandez. Some folks were predicting he'd be fired, removed from coaching or suspended. They were also predicting close to half of Hernandez's varsity players would be kicked off the team. The reason? Seems baseball at Amphi is not as American as apple pie. Critics complain that for years Hernandez has been recruiting teen players from Mexico. According to official sources, this year's varsity roster has eight Mexican nationals on the team, out of 19 players. Two other players include Hernandez's son and a nephew. Parents who've faithfully trudged to Little League and middle school games over the years complain that now they find their children--students at Amphi who live in the district--shut out by the Mexican nationals Hernandez recruited and put on the team. These parents say it's unfair to their kids, and it's unfair their tax money is going to support players recruited from another country, who are allowed to get an education and learn English at no expense. They also note that recruiting players (from anywhere) is illegal in high school, even though it's a common practice in many local high schools. And they add that their complaints to the Arizona Interscholastic Association about the Amphi situation fell on deaf ears. Other parents say the dilemma is that most folks like the young men from Mexico and realize this is a great opportunity for them to spend time in the U.S. Some Amphi parents see the Mexican players as victims of circumstance, saying they can't really blame the youths for taking advantage of a great opportunity. It was easier to turn a blind eye, the parents say, to two or three players a year, but in August 1997 Hernandez allegedly brought in eight more Mexican nationals to play varsity baseball and helped them enroll at Amphi. Some of these young men are living in apartments on their own and some live with local families. At least one is 20 years old, two are 19, and the rest are 18 and 17. Three have reportedly already graduated from high school in Mexico and have more than enough credits to have graduated from Amphi. Most speak limited English. The situation came to a head March 24, after a varsity baseball game between Canyon del Oro High School and Amphi High that very nearly turned into a brawl. At least one player from each team was ejected, and the teams refused to shake hands after the game. Also, after that game, Hernandez's son was suspended from playing Amphi baseball because he allegedly swore at Amphi athletic director John Ryan. Accusations were raised that Hernandez was "out of control" and couldn't keep a rein on his players. Although Amphi Principal Ramon Paz refuses to comment, saying it's a "personnel issue," some Amphi High parents praise him for looking into the situation and calling for an investigation once the matter was brought to his attention. Paz, as with all school officials, walks a fine line. Federal law apparently prevents him from questioning how foreign students got to his school and for what reason. They need only present a birth certificate, health records and show proof of residency in the district to enroll. Observers note this is a no-win situation for Amphi and the players: The Amphi kids who quit or who didn't try out for the team have already been hurt; and the Mexican kids who were invited here to play, and who now may have to return home, are going to be hurt. Obviously the Amphi baseball program is under a cloud and will need some recovery time. It appears Coach Danny Hernandez has struck out this time, and he may be in his last inning at Amphi High School.

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