NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Max Smith, a 17-year-old baseball player, and his family moved more than 1,000 miles from Ohio to Florida, claiming they were misled by promises made by a baseball academy, which they say disrupted his career and is now prompting legal action.
“I thought this was going to give me the best chance to do something. It was a dream since I was a little kid, and I got lied to. And it’s hard to fulfill that dream,” Max Smith said.
For many young athletes, playing professionally is a dream, and parents often go to great lengths to support their children. In the case of Eric Smith, it’s no different for his son.
“We’ll make sure that nobody’s taking advantage of our kids, especially when we’re moving across the country to, like, chase dreams,” Eric Smith said.
The Smith family said they enrolled in “The Academy,” which they claim promised homeschooling, college placement, and a roster spot on the North Fort Myers High School baseball team. However, they allege the academy did not deliver on those promises.
“I took a chance on a guy that promised us something that wasn’t true, and it ruined my junior year, something I’ll never get back,” Max Smith said.
The family also alleges that when they decided not to enroll in the academy, its owner, Benjamin Bizier, told them they would lose access to the North Fort Myers baseball program.
“He specifically told us that if we did not go through the program here, that we would not have any access to the program at North Fort Myers,” Eric Smith said.
A School District of Lee County investigation into the “pay-to-play” scheme alleges Bizier influenced decision-making for the high school’s team. Attorneys for Bizier and the academy issued a statement categorically denying the allegations.
Eric Smith said he is now filing charges against Bizier, alleging him of fraud. The charges would not be the only legal issue Bizier faces. He is also suing former assistant coach Dan Hill and Hill’s wife’s athletic apparel company over an ownership dispute.
The parties are due in court Oct. 16.
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