Chapin Baseball Coach Accused of Mistreating Players

Posted 8/9/22

Allegations of mistreatment of players, both physical and mental, have been levied against Chapin High School baseball coach Scott McLeod.

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Chapin Baseball Coach Accused of Mistreating Players

Posted

Allegations of mistreatment of players, both physical and mental, have been levied against Chapin High School baseball coach Scott McLeod.

The accusations were made during the public comment portion of an Aug. 8 meeting of the Lexington-Richland School District 5 school board by parents Candice Lively and Chuck Bland and both John Hornick and his son J.P., a four-year letterman for the Eagles. Each was given three minutes to express their dissatisfaction with the way the players were allegedly treated by McLeod during the 2022 season.

A district spokesperson said the school does not comment publicly on personnel matters.

The Chronicle could not immediately reach McLeod for comment.

Lively, whose son Matthew played baseball for Chapin, told the board that “certain family members” have accused McLeod of inflicting “bullying and mental abuse” on players during games. She called it “an entrenched type of systemic abuse” that she and other parents have brought to the attention of district members.

Lively said McLeod has violated the terms of emotional abuse set by the district, which defines it as “verbal and emotional assault,” “belittling and berating of children” and “isolating and placing children against each other.” She also claimed to have documented stories in which McLeod called a player “Big Stupid” in front of classmates and another “the Cancer of Chapin Baseball” in front of teammates.

Bland brought up an issue regarding his son during a Class 5A playoff game on May 16 against Lexington. He said his son threw 82 pitches, sat through a 55-minute delay and was reinserted into the game. Since then, Bland said his son, Yates, has undergone a MRI and rehabilitation for his elbow. Despite still experiencing pain with his elbow, he reportedly has not heard from McLeod about his progress. 

[Online copy corrected.]

Player J.P. Hornick recounted a story about McLeod telling the team that they would be average this season and wondered why there was so much negativity around the program. His father told the board he hopes they will take their statements seriously.

During McLeod's two and a half decades at Chapin, he has led the baseball program to five state title series, winning four of them, most recently defeating Airport in 2018.

chapin baseball, lexington county sports, mistreatment allegation, coach scott mcleod

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