Another reigning UIL baseball state champion booted from playoffs
Another reigning UIL Texas high school baseball state champion is out of the playoffs after the use of an ineligible player.
In a statement shared to social media, Centerville ISD interim superintendent Dottie Sullivan said the district received notice from the University Interscholastic League regarding allegations of the use of an ineligible player. Sullivan said the district conducted a comprehensive review that found a violation of UIL contest rules had occurred and self-reported the violation.
As a result, Centerville forfeited all relevant contests and was removed from the Class 2A Division I playoffs ahead of the regional semifinals.
Centerville’s area round opponent, Shelbyville, lost the three-game series but will replace Centerville in a regional semifinal series against Harleton due to the removal. The change has been reflected in the UIL Class 2A Division I bracket.
“Moving forward, Centerville ISD is committed to conducting a comprehensive review of all eligibility procedures and documentation practices,” Sullivan’s statement read.
The district noted that head coach Demond Denman and his staff are not at fault, as they followed all established protocols.
The statement continued:
“While the circumstances are difficult, the district remains steadfast in its commitment to the principals of integrity, fairness, accountability, and sportsmanship that guide interscholastic competition.”
Before the forfeitures, Centerville posted a 19-7-1 overall record. In 2024, Centerville baseball made a state semifinal appearance, and in 2025, the team won the Class 2A Division I state championship with a 6-1 victory over New Home.
Centerville is the second reigning UIL baseball state champion to be removed from the playoffs. The first was Grapevine, the reigning Class 5A Division II state champion, which was seeking a three-peat.
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