Youth Softball Team Allowed on Hopatcong's Fields

The North Jersey Spirit youth softball program has been allowed back on Hopatcong's softball fields after providing proper paperwork and proving an attempt to recruit borough players, fields committee Chairman Sal Guglielmello said Thursday afternoon.

"We straightened it out [Wednesday] night and the girls never missed a day of practice," Guglielmello said. "The fields committee got all the appropriate documentation and, after review, found [the North Jersey Spirit] to be in compliance."

Hopatcong's Board of Recreation was concerned the organization violated a rule stating youth programs can't cut borough players in favor of non-residents. The rule, implemented in the summer, amended a previous rule stating teams can't carry more than three out-of-town players.