Ardmore Softball League Could Fold Over Residency Issue

According to its players,the Ardmore Women's Softball League isn't just a league, but a team of friends coming together to play a sport they all enjoy.

"We've become friends; we've watched our children grow up together, and we've bonded as more than just a team," says player Melissa Hopely. "What we love most about the league is that it's fun, but we still get the competition out of it. Most of us played all through high school and college, so it was nice to find a league that was fun but competitive too."

But there's been a consistent problem.

In order to be able to play on Lower Merion Township fields, 50 percent of each team has to be comprised of Township residents, according to Lower Merion Township Supervisor Donna Heller. 

It's not an arbitrary rule meant to keep outsiders off Lower Merion turf, officials say. The Township is maxed out when it comes to field availability, Heller said, and an immediate issue arises when residents who want to use the fields are turned away.

Naturally, they question why non-residents get field time and they do not, said Brenda Viola, public information officer for the Township. "That's why it's important to follow the policy and be fair to the residents." 

According to Viola, the township has heard back from four of the six Ardmore softball teams, which currently stand at 48 percent residents to 52 percent non-residents. 

The fate of the Ardmore Women's Softball team, then, depends on the tallies to be reported by the remaining two squads.

Talking to league players after a recent game at Polo Field in Bryn Mawr, there was a surprising equanimity regarding the issue. Expecting to hear negatitive comments towards the Township, the area, and whoever else was trying to diminish this league, something entirely different was revealed. 

Some of the players have been in the league for over 15 years. Some drive for more than an hour just to play softball. Half of the team interviewed that night grew up in Ardmore or the Lower Merion area, and love having the chance to play in their home town.

Many said the same thing of their league: We work together really well; We've helped the league grow in terms of number of teams; and We've noticed that many of the neighbors in the area come and watch us.

"I've been playing in these league for over 15 years, and we have neighbors that came out and watch many of our games," said player Rhonda Fioresi. "They would write us letters at the end of the season telilng us how much they enjoyed it and how much they look forward to next season." 

For a lot of the players, the team really came together in unity about two years ago, when they lost a fellow player: Karen Maguire. Many of the players attended her funeral, and a service was held in her memory. Her sudden passing unified the team, the players say, making a possible disbanding of the league particularly painful.

"Even though I'm not a resident, it shouldn't matter, because I think as a community, we are communities with everyone," said Hopely. "After every game, we all go out and support the local bars and restaurants with our business, and that's something I think should be taken into consideration."

When asked what they hope the outcome would be, the unanimous phrase seemed to be, "We just want an opportunity to play."