Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), a long-time critic of the state’s governing body for high school athletics, blasted the organization Thursday after it was revealed Barnegat High School pitcher and No. 1 overall Major League Baseball prospect Jason Groome had been ruled ineligible for violating the state’s transfer rule.
Groome spent last season at IMG Academy in Florida before transferring back to his hometown high school for his senior season. The move did not constitute a bona fide change of residence according to New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association bylaws because Groome did not move with a parent or guardian when he went to Florida.