By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Harmony High softball coach Ralph King announced his resignation Thursday after leading the team to the Class 4A state tournament.
King said that he wanted to spend time with his family and explore other coaching opportunities above the high school level.

King was suspended from his coaching duties at the state tournament by the Florida High School Athletic Association after he was ejected by the umpires during a regional playoff victory at Dade City Pasco High.

Harmony High was fined $100 for that infraction. When King was discovered to be at the site of the state tournament in Clermont, in violation of FHSAA guidelines, the FHSAA extended King's suspension by two weeks and added $2,500 to Harmony High's fine.

Assistant Coach Deanna Sphaler  ran the team at the state tournament, where Harmony beat Bradenton Braden River, 2-1, in the semifinals before losing the championship game to Eau Gallie, 7-2.

King coached five seasons at Harmony, taking the team to the playoffs each year.

Harmony Principal Buddy Butler accepted King's resignation Thursday.

"He had his personal reasons for doing that," Butler said. "He's done a good job here, which you can see from the progess of the program."

Butler said that under Osceola County School District policy, King is responsible for paying the FHSAA fines. Butler said that the school is appealing to the FHSAA to reduce the sanctions in the wake of King's resignation.

Butler said that the Harmony softball job soon will be advertised.