Philadelphia Phillies apparently turned stool pigeon for the NCAA

Last week, Oregon State pitcher Ben Wetzler was suspended indefinitely by the NCAA by the school.

Turns out it's because he had an agent representing him after the Phillies drafted him in the fifth round last year, but did not sign. That's a common practice (though they are technically called "advisors" and no money can exchange hands), and teams generally look the other way.

How did the NCAA find out? From the Phillies:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/phillies-accused-ben-wetzler-of-ncaa-rules-violations/?utm_source=fantasyleaguegm.com

As you might expect, Ruben Amaro and the Phillies are getting pilloried over this. Just one more sign that they're a tone deaf organization ...

 

This kid should sue the Phillies and the NCAA.

 

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/98983/

 

Maybe if he had actually signed, it wouldn't be an issue.

 

Players have sued and won before.

http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3823:ncaa-plays-the-bully-again-with-james-paxton&catid=68:jordan-kobritz&Itemid=156

This is just the NCAA and the Phillies getting into a snit because a barely 20-something kid decides to approach his career as a professional who understands the importance of negotiating. It's way easier when the kids don't get that.

 

Sorry I didn't think to look in a totally unrelated thread.

 

Actually, Wetzler hasn't been suspended yet by the NCAA. Oregon State is sitting him down to wait and see how the NCAA will rule.

 

If the NCAA doesn't want to allow agents for athletes, then coaches shouldn't be able to have agents.

 

How could the Phillies be liable for anything? Did they force him to hire an agent?

 

Shut up, fucking idiot troll.

 

Oh screw yourself. As usual, you have nothing relevant to say.

 

As idiotic as Mark usually is, he does have a point on this one. The Phillies, even though they did a douchebag thing, didn't do much more than tell the truth to the NCAA, which is that the player had an agent negotiating for him. Telling the truth isn't slanderous.

Now, if the kid wants to go after the NCAA like the other player did because the NCAA cannot tell an attorney how to represent their clients, then have at it.