FORT WORTH - APRIL 29: Members of the Arlington Heights High School baseball team participate in a voluntary practice after state University Interscholastic League officials announced a delay until May 11 for all Texas high school sport and academic events as a precaution against the swine flu April 29, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. Members of the baseball team were given the option to workout on their own after the day's practice was cancelled. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (2009 Getty Images)
The umpire that sparked a controversial language debate in New Mexico last week has resigned from officiating high school baseball games, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
Just over a week ago, Corey Jones allegedly told Gadsden High School baseball players that if they spoke Spanish on the field they would be ejected. He made the statement after a player said encouraging words to another player in Spanish during a game against Alamogordo High School.
"Anyone who speaks Spanish – coaches or players – will be ejected," according to Gadsden High School baseball coaches.
That prompted an on field debate with Gadsden assistant coach Emmanuel Burciaga, who said that the team would continue to speak Spanish and would not be ejected.
The home plate umpire then informed Jones that there was no rule prohibiting Spanish and volunteered to use his Spanish to keep track of both teams for good sportsmanship.
Last week the Gadsden team, whose home county of Doña Ana County is 97 percent Hispanic, filed a formal complaint in order to “educate” Jones.
Jones declined to comment about the matter to the Journal but said the team’s account about what happened was “nothing but lies.”
According to the Journal, the New Mexico Athletic Association is still investigating the matter.
The Gadsden Independent School District released a statement saying it was not seeking any disciplinary action.
“It was not the intent of the District to seek any disciplinary action regarding this official because his actions in no way reflect on the quality of officiating in Alamogordo,” the statement read.
Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.