Baseball: Former Chicago White Sox coach accuses his team of firing him for his sexual orientation

Brian Ball, an employee of the Chicago White Sox for nearly 20 years, was fired for no apparent reason by his management on October 31, 2020, at the end of the baseball season. The 50-year-old was well known on the roster, however, for being the team’s assistant coach during the Major League Baseball world championship won in 2005 and also being promoted to head coach in 2018. Herm Schneider has been on the job for 40 seasons.

most Chicago Sun Times therefore reported on Tuesday, May 10, that Brian Ball has filed a lawsuit against franchise and general manager Rick Hahn. The former White Sox coach claims he was fired on discriminatory grounds regarding his sexual orientation, age and disability. He also added that he was the victim of humiliating remarks by his management that caused him emotional distress.

You have to go back to 2018 to understand the event. That year, Brian Ball disclosed his homosexuality to his entire team and hierarchy, exactly as he stated in his complaint. He also adds that he was the victim of car theft in July 2020, after which his general manager, Rick Hahn, forced him to see a psychologist. Second, to Brian Ball, the Chicago White Sox did not agree, that the coach had a “gambling, drug and alcohol addiction since car theft“. Subsequently, Brian Ball was fired for this reason, forcing him into a legal battle with his former team. In December 2020, less than two months after his dismissal, Brian Ball was allegedly contacted by a member of the White Sox management after his dismissal. He said it was linked to his homosexuality.After filing a fifty-year-old lawsuit, he filed a complaint on Tuesday, May 10.

In a press release quoted by Chicago Sun TimesThe baseball team responded to Brian Ball’s complaint:The Chicago White Sox organization categorically rejects the baseless allegations made by former coach Brian Ball in his lawsuit against the club. It is very disappointing that a former colleague who has been trained, developed and promoted for two decades chooses to attack the club in this way.“The team later had Brian Ball sacked”was performance-based and did not violate any of the employee protections provided by law“, before adding this ”The Chicago White Sox unites against all forms of discrimination and supports anti-discrimination laws that provide protection to those who have been wronged by an employer. These laws are necessary to protect all victims of discrimination and to create a culture of empowerment and opportunity for all individuals.“

After his dismissal, Brian Ball was replaced by James Kruk.A less qualified, non-disabled, non-gay male under 40Brian Ball is upset about his complaint. Despite his strong experience in the baseball world, Brian Ball has still not been able to find a job since his layoff.

Benoit Lesueur