Hagins Suit Alleges Discrimination

PHOENIX —  Stephan Hagins, a freshman catcher from Irvine’s University High who has a heart-valve problem, filed suit Monday against Arizona State about its refusal to let him play.

Hagins, a Times’ All-County selection last season, alleges the school is guilty of handicap discrimination.

Arizona State recruited Hagins with full knowledge of his condition, and he has offered to sign waivers excluding the university and team doctors from legal liability if he’s allowed to play, the suit said.

The suit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, seeks unspecified monetary damages and an injunction directing the school to allow Hagins to play.

“It’s just hard to concentrate on your studies when you want to play the game that you came here to play,” said Hagins, who turned down an offer from the Cleveland Indians to sign with the school.

Daniel Dowd, a lawyer for the school, earlier rejected demands that Hagins be allowed to participate in the baseball program.