GHSA executive director Ralph Swearngin said Tuesday that it likely would be another day before he ruled on whether a high school baseball catcher intentionally missed a pitch that struck an umpire in the face mask last weekend in the Class AAA championship series in Cartersville.

The incident took place in the fourth inning of Saturday's third and deciding game of the series, won by Cartersville 13-1. Stephens County catcher Matt Hill ducked and pulled down his mitt down on a pitch that struck umpire Jeff Scott, who was not injured.

The previous inning, Stephens County shortstop Ethan Martin, the brother of the pitcher, Cody Martin, had argued with Scott and thrown his batting helmet after becoming the ninth consecutive Stephens County batter to strike out. Ethan Martin, who also pitches, was named Gatorade's Georgia player of the year on May 28.

Stephens County principal David Friend apologized to the GHSA on Monday and said he would interview players and coaches and make a report to Swearngin this week.

"With school out, it takes awhile to find students and talk to them, so it might take a few days," Swearngin said. "We could have a ruling by the end of the business day Wednesday."

Jesse Smith of the Multi-County Umpires Association, which worked the game, said he has been asked by the GHSA for his group not to comment on the incident.

"The decision on what happened is strictly 100 percent in the hands of Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Dennis Payne [GHSA coordinator of officials]," Smith said. "They have told me they will handle it. It is up to the GHSA."