In Clay County, youth sports unite the community but can also lead to drama, as seen with dedicated coach D.J. Chesshir of the Clay County Youth League.
On August 12, 2025, Chesshir shared a heartfelt post on Facebook where he talked about a terrible false accusation against him.
Chesshir said someone accused him of touching a child inappropriately while coaching baseball, which he called disgusting and untrue, which hurt his name and character.
For over 15 years, he has volunteered hundreds of hours as a coach, trainer, umpire, and referee for kids in multiple sports. One of his degrees is in Recreation & Sports Management. Working with youth is his passion.
The trouble started when Chesshir planned a new travel baseball team for next summer, and he wanted the best for his team, but some league leaders got upset.
Many players and parents wanted to join him, and that’s why Chesshir still planned to keep his kids in the CYL rec league. But the league removed him as a coach and banned him, too.
Chesshir said the accusation came from the head coaches and league president, Brady Shoemaker, who claimed the child’s parents reported him.
But Chesshir spoke to those parents who denied it all, and they had no idea about the claim until he called a hearing. The parents are furious, and they are pulling their kids from the league. So is Chesshir. Several other families are doing the same.
This hit Chesshir hard as he is a Christian, coach, mentor, friend, brother, son, husband, and dad to six kids, and he said that His team doesn’t deserve this pain, and that’s what angers him most. Additionally, he plans to take legal action and asks the community to know the truth, claiming the accusation is 100% false. People who know him believe that.
Soon after Brady Shoemaker Posted his Side on Facebook
As CYL president, he wanted to clear up rumors and thanked the board for checking both sides carefully.
Shoemaker has volunteered with CYL for years, just like many others. He became president last year, focusing on child safety.
He clarified that Chesshir was not accused of inappropriate touching, as Chesshir claimed. Instead, the report was about aggressive behavior toward a child on the 6U American team.
This came from the head coach to the league director, then to Shoemaker, and he asked Chesshir about it in a private conversation. The board followed proper protocol and documented everything.
Shoemaker also addressed Chesshir’s new travel team, which he called unacceptable. Chesshir had contacted players from the CYL All-Star team, which Shoemaker saw as sabotaging the league. He shared details of messages.
On August 6, Chesshir texted about coaching next year or doing something else. Shoemaker replied on August 8, explaining the coach selection process.
Soon after, Chesshir sent a group message to select parents about starting his own team. In it, he raised concerns about CYL’s direction, finances, and tournament choices.
Chesshir suggested multiple instances of money being taken from CYL accounts for personal reasons. Shoemaker refuted this strongly. He defended the treasurer, Graig Bass, a reputable Brazil City Police Officer. He welcomed an audit anytime.
Shoemaker noted his own limited involvement in finances. He pointed out that Chesshir had praised his work just weeks before. But when Shoemaker didn’t give the coaching answer Chesshir wanted, things escalated.
Shoemaker apologized to the CYL community and families and thanked those who reached out, hoping the league survives this “bump in the road.” He’s excited for the fall season to start.
Adding to the Story, the CYL Board Shared a Public Address
They highlighted their goal: a safe, fair, positive environment for kids to grow through sports.
After allegations against Shoemaker and the board, they conducted a thorough review.
The board determined that D.J. Chesshir is removed as a coach and member of CYL. This is due to his public spread of false allegations. These include claims of financial misconduct and that Shoemaker falsified reports about his conduct. The inquiry was about aggressive coaching, not aligned with CYL standards.
Importantly, Chesshir’s children are still welcome in all CYL programs. They will be treated with fairness and respect. All parties have been notified.
The board remains committed to transparency and the well-being of players and families. They thank the community for their trust and support.
This situation shows the challenges in volunteer-run youth leagues. Conflicts over teams and coaching can turn personal. For Chesshir, it’s a fight to clear his name.
Shoemaker and the board aim to protect the league’s integrity as legal issues arise, with hopes that Clay County can move forward stronger while keeping youth sports focused on fun and growth.
