To the Editor:

Who would think that at 11 years old my daughter would be washed up as a softball player, or washed up at anything for that matter?

The Newtown Babe Ruth Softball league held their annual tryouts for the spring travel season in late August.  Not much of a noteworthy event you would think.  But the politics, backroom deals and subsequent aftermath rivals a soap opera. 

The turnout for the U12 team was large so initially when my daughter was not selected we chalked it up to stiff competition.  After hearing some talk around town that the process and player selection was questionable, we decided to attend the Newtown Babe Ruth Softball board meeting held last week. Several other concerned parents and coaches were in attendance.  What we learned was shocking.

Due to some interleague issues, the board felt they should only field one U12 team.  For the Newtown Hawks U12 team, six girls are Newtown residents and six girls are non-residents from Bethel, Monroe and Bridgeport.  There are another six of our Newtown girls who were carelessly tossed aside.  These are girls who spent several years playing in house and travel softball for this Newtown Babe Ruth Softball League, under the instruction of the coaches selected by this very board.

According to article 12 of the Newtown Babe Ruth Softball Constitution:

“The program is first and foremost for Newtown residents. Non-Newtown residents will only be considered when there are not enough qualified players to fill a roster. There must be a majority of adequately skilled Newtown residents for each team.”

When questioned, the board stated they had the right to choose out-of-town girls as we were in need of pitchers.  It is their opinion that an 11 or 12 year old cannot be trained at this age to pitch. Apparently they claim it is known that if you want your child to play at a competitive level you need to spend money for private coaching for pitching, batting and catching.  My jaw dropped in utter shock at how the board had rationalized all this in their own heads.  Really?  We are talking about 11 and 12-year-old girls eager to play. 

This is a board that spent the first 15 minutes of the meeting discussing how enrollment for U12 has dwindled.  They claim this is a "national" problem.  Actions such as this are part of the problem.

Philosophically, if this is a Newtown team it should consist of Newtown residents.  Is this about winning or about promoting our girls and teaching them the values associated with team sports?  What type of an example are we setting for our children when we run our sports leagues this way?

Next time you drive by that field in Newtown that your tax dollars support the maintenance on and you see the Newtown Hawks team know that only 50 percent of them live in Newtown. 

Sincerely,

Lori Clure

24 Winton Farm Road, Newtown    September 17, 2014