East Bay high school coaches suspended amid probe into racist taunts at baseball game

Pinole Valley High School in the East Bay has suspended its varsity baseball head coach and an assistant coach as the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) investigates allegations of racist taunts directed at Asian American players during a match against Albany High School on April 23.

The incident, captured on video and described in formal complaints, has prompted calls for the cancellation of Pinole Valley’s season and a deeper reckoning with racial harassment in school sports.

Eugene Lee, an Albany High School parent and the team’s volunteer scorekeeper, told the SF Gate that players from Pinole Valley targeted two Albany pitchers with racist remarks — first a student of South Asian descent, followed by Lee’s son, who is East Asian.

Lee reported that when the South Asian pitcher took the mound, chants of “Baljeet” were heard, referencing an Indian character from the animated series “Phineas and Ferb.” When Lee’s son began pitching, someone allegedly shouted, “P.F. Chang, is that you?” and “He can’t see through those eyes.” He also documented a social media post by Pinole Valley players that included hashtags he believed to be mocking the incident.

Lee submitted the footage to the WCCUSD alongside a formal complaint urging the district to send a clear message against racism by canceling Pinole Valley’s remaining baseball season and conducting a public investigation.

T’won Blake, Pinole Valley’s head coach, said he received a letter of suspension on April 30. He told the San Francisco Chronicle he was not aware of the taunts until the day after the game and later addressed the issue with players. Blake said the comments came from spectators, not his team, and added, “But without being given the opportunity to correct it in the moment, I’m not guilty of anything. I am absolutely the scapegoat.”

District spokesperson Raechelle Forrest said officials are working to identify those involved in the incidents and emphasized that the district does not tolerate racism, hate speech or harassment in its schools or athletic programs.

In a letter to families, WCCUSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Kim Moses said a formal investigation remains ongoing into both reported incidents to determine which individuals should be held accountable. Moses added that the district will begin distributing a Fan Code of Conduct guide at sporting events to reinforce appropriate behavior.

The letter acknowledged the impact of the incidents, particularly on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, stating, “To those who have been impacted, please know you are seen, heard, and valued in our school communities.”