Mystery illness sickens college baseball players, coaches

NOTE: This is the conference that Dalton State competes in, but they do not have a baseball team, so are not represented at the tournament.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Authorities say dozens of athletes and coaches from across the South have been sickened at a college baseball tournament in Alabama, and the cause is a mystery.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said those affected by the outbreak are from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

WSFA-TV reports that the athletes and coaches were competing at a tournament in Montgomery, Alabama, when they fell ill.

State health officials say they’ve confirmed 25 and 30 reports of gastrointestinal illness with symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They said some of those sickened had to go to emergency rooms.

Southern States Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Hall said each of eight teams has at least one or multiple players or coaches affected.

The conference’s championship tournament is scheduled to continue through Saturday.

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STATEMENT FROM THE CONFERENCE:

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – During the 2017 Southern States Athletic Conference Baseball Championship, members from each of the eight participating teams have fallen ill, with several requiring medical attention.

At this time, the cause is not known, but the proper authorities are investigating.