Dixie Softball director arrested
SPRING HILL – Glenn Primavera, a coach and director of Spring Hill Dixie Softball, was arrested on Friday night on charges of reckless driving, knowingly driving while license suspended/revoked, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the arrest report, Primavera, a 41-year-old Spring Hill resident, was observed by a Hernando County Sheriff’s deputy driving a gray pickup truck in the turning lane of Northcliffe Boulevard to head north on Mariner Boulevard. The report stated that he intentionally drove over the cement median on Northcliffe into oncoming traffic. His vehicle then went through the red light at Northcliffe and turned north on Mariner. Several vehicles had to make quick maneuvers to avoid getting hit, including the deputy’s cruiser, the report states.
When a traffic stop was conducted on Mariner, Primavera initially explained that he had been driving in such a manner because his wife had been in a car accident, then admitted he was lying and said he was trying to buy pills and “got ripped off.”
Asked for his license, Primavera said that he did not have it on him and did not know if it was valid.
Primavera’s license had been suspended in May for failure to pay traffic fines. When reached for comment, he said he was not aware it had been suspended.
Given permission to search the car, the deputy found two silver spoons and two syringes located in the center console. Primavera told the deputy that he used them to inject prescription pain medications into his body. He told Hernando Today that the syringes were for vitamin B-12 injections.
He was taken to the Hernando County Jail and released on $1,500 bond.
In addition to serving as league director the past few years, Primavera has been by far its most successful coach. He has taken All-Star squads to the World Series the past three seasons, winning two titles and finishing second once.
Over the past four seasons, his teams have gone a combined 46-5 at the Angels (ages 9-10) and Ponytails (ages 11-12) level. He was set to coach the Spring Hill Darlings (ages 7-8) All-Stars in the District 4 Tournament this month.
“It’s more of a misunderstanding than anything else,” Primavera said. “It’s just an unfortunate incident. Everything will get cleared up, I’m sure.
“I feel very upset at the moment and I want everybody to know that I’m not a bad person. I had a bad day.”
In the meantime, Primavera said he has turned over his duties as director to assistant director Dianne McClellan, and his coaching duties with the Darling All-Stars to his assistant coaches.
“I care deeply about the kids,” Primavera said. “That has never wavered in the five years I’ve been involved in the league. I never want anything to affect the way I feel about teaching and coaching. I have a pretty good record that backs me up on that.”
In February, Primavera was charged with speeding in a posted county zone. He had an adjudication withheld on April 15 and was ordered to pay $500 and attend four hours of driving school.
In April he was charged with speeding, not wearing a seat belt, not carrying a driver’s license, no registration or proof of insurance, and unknowingly driving with a suspended license.
In 2006 he had an adjudication withheld for driving with a suspended license.
Primavera is scheduled to be arraigned on the latest charges at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, in Hernando County Circuit Court.
Reporter Wendy Joan Biddlecombe also contributed to this story
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