Titusville H.S. lightens Harlem Shake video punishment; Parents still say it's too harsh

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The Harlem Shake video put together by some members of the Titusville High School baseball team resulted in harsh punishments, but school officials have bent a little on the consequences.

Ten students, mostly from the baseball team, were recently suspended and kicked off the team for their version of the shake.

The Harlem Shake is a viral sensation on YouTube and has been spoofed by dozens of sports teams across the country, including a wild performance by the University of Kansas basketball team.

But Channel 9 learned the school will now allow players who were kicked off the team to begin attending practice next week. The following week, they'll be allowed back in games, but only after completing community service.

Paul Hitchcock's son is a junior varsity baseball player who was in the video but received a lighter punishment than some.

Hitchcock and other parents believe the school blew the video out of proportion and think even the revised punishment for most is too harsh.

"It seems to me like they rushed into the punishment before they sat down and talked to the parents, talked to the kids," said Hitchcock.

In all, 10 students were suspended and some were kicked off the team. The video was shot on school grounds with some players stripping down to their baseball sliders and team jerseys, which was deemed too provocative for the school's taste.

The district said there were also inappropriate gestures in the video.

Channel 9 tried to speak to the district area superintendent, Dr. Ron Bobay, but his assistant said no one involved in the decision could speak on camera.

WFTV