Sylmar Dismisses Kelley From Team

Designated-hitter Donnie Kelley was removed from the Sylmar High baseball team last week because of “philosophical differences,” according to Coach John Klitsner, who called the expulsion “the most difficult decision in my coaching career.

“He wasn’t a bad kid, he didn’t do anything wrong,” Klitsner said. “I just thought it was better for the program if he wasn’t involved.”

Kelley, a senior, had a .457 batting average in 46 at-bats with a team-high 17 runs batted in and 4 triples. Klitsner said the expulsion was not the result of a single incident but added that Kelley’s attitude was a disruptive influence.

“There was a problem, a problem that was affecting the whole team,” Klitsner said. “It was an attitude. I couldn’t relate to him, he couldn’t understand me.

“We’re just at different ends of the spectrum.”