Youth baseball coach faces trial over steroid possession, By: John Hopkins

June 2, 2006, The Virginian-Pilot

CHESAPEAKE - James "Sam" Trexler Sr., a Pinto league baseball coach in Chesapeake, is scheduled to stand trial Tuesday on a possession-of-steroid charge.

Trexler was arrested in October and is accused of possessing testosterone enanthate. Since his arrest, Trexler has continued to coach 7- and 8-year-old boys in the Southern Chesapeake Athletic Association.

The 42-year-old is scheduled to appear in Chesapeake General District Court on the misdemeanor charge . The arrest came during the same period in which Trexler was facing domestic assault and battery charges.

One night in October, Trexler's wife took out an emergency protective order against him. She was in "fear for her children's safety as well as hers," according to Juvenile and Domestic Relations court records. "Mrs. Trexler stated that she believes her husband may lose control and do them harm."

There was an occasion when he wanted to take one of his children for a drive to a store. His wife refused, indicating he was "unsafe" to be with because of "too many pills."

He pleaded guilty in December to domestic assault and battery against his wife. Other charges of domestic assault and battery were dismissed. He is on supervised probation for the next two years as a judge takes his case under advisement.

The probation is with the Chesapeake Community Corrections Program for the purpose of substance abuse monitoring. He also has spent time at the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center intake in Virginia Beach.

In a plea agreement with prosecutors in December, Trexler agreed to submit to drug, alcohol and mental health evaluations and enter an 18-week domestic violence intervention program.

Trexler said Thursday that he saw no reason to discontinue his association with Pinto baseball.

"I had stepped down once before, before the season even started," he said. "They were short on coaches, so I can't see the kids not having a grown-up step in and see that they're taken care of and having fun."

Trexler said he was a good person going through troubles.

"I did seek help, and that was on my own," he said. "I spent time in rehab. I've been to anger management, and that was on my own."

The Southern Chesapeake Athletic Association is one of the largest baseball and softball leagues on the East Coast. Ken Denton, the president of the association, said he was aware of Trexler's pending drug charge.

"Yes, we are concerned and I am aware of the situation," Denton said, "but nobody has shown proof that he's been convicted of anything."

A national felony background check was conducted on Trexler but did not show his domestic assault and battery and drug arrests. The association pays about $15 to have each of its 400 coaches checked, Denton said.

Denton said he was concerned that a single incident involving one coach out of hundreds of caring volunteers could taint his association and its work with area children.

"I don't want our league to be attacked because one coach may have charges pending," Denton said.