NCAA Suspends 5 Richmond Baseball Players for Participating in Fantasy Football

The NCAA has suspended five University of Richmond baseball players after an investigation revealed they participated in a fantasy football league.

According to John O'Connor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, someone reported the players' involvement in fantasy football directly to the NCAA, which led to their suspensions. The school is still awaiting word from the NCAA on their potential reinstatement.

Rules prohibit student-athletes from participating in any form of sports gambling, including fantasy leagues in which an entry fee is required. Violations are considered secondary (or non-major) infractions. Players are allowed to participate in fantasy leagues for professional sports only when there is no money involved.

"The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering, which has the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community," the NCAA's website says.

According to O'Connor, pitcher Keenan Bartlett and infielder Kurtis Brown have been identified as two of the five players. Bartlett went 4-4 with a 4.43 ERA last season and came into his junior year identified as a potential MLB player. Baseball America ranked him third among Atlantic 10 prospects.

Brown was a first-team All-A-10 selection last season, hitting .342 while driving in 35 runs and finishing third on the team with 63 hits.

Neither player has made an appearance this season, during which Richmond has gotten off to a 3-4 start.