Howell South Little League (HSLL), Howell Township, NJ has recently decided to exclude kids from playing baseball! HSLL leases the fields from the Township and maintains them. In past, they would sublease fields to travel teams on little league off days. They are now implementing a new rule to restrict travel teams from using the fields. The rule basically states that travel teams must maintain 75% of its players from active HSLL registrations; however, they will allow one exception, kids who were on prior HSLL registrations who are playing middle school or high school. On the surface this may not appear to be wrong, however, things are not what they appear... HSLL recently appointed someone to be the Leagues travel coordinator who now will have 2 travel teams playing on the 60/90 fields. This individual has petitioned to have the rules changed and be in charge, why one would ask. Well it’s simply for his own benefit; he wants to use the fields for himself, whenever he wants to. His older boy’s team does not have enough active players from HSLL because of school ball, hence that’s why there is the exception to rule. Back in February, 2013, the Board passed a "Grandfather Rule" which allows existing teams to remain using the fields, provided they maintain their existing rosters % of HSLL players and new teams need to maintain 75% HSLL players. This is now being changed and will likely kick out 5 or more travel teams, 60 kids who can no longer use the fields they have grown up on and have called home. I disagree if the Board plans on being selective on who plays at HSLL, as there can only be one rule. For example, if you allow only some teams that currently do not have 75% active players to play because the kids used to play at HSLL then you must allow ALL kids that have ever played at HSLL, such as players who moved out of the area or previously played and no longer plays, etc. These fields are owned by Howell Township, and therefore, HSLL should let Howell kids play there as long as they continue to contribute. We plan to petition this bogus rule change with the Township on the basis of: 1. HSLL is in breach of their lease agreement with Howell Township, whereas they must not segregate on who can use the fields and allow all Howell Township & surrounding communities to play there (on off Little League days), and 2. HSLL is in breach of their lease agreement with Howell Township, whereas they are NOT permitted to sublease the fields, which they are doing by collecting a $350 annual fee from travel teams to play there as HSLL does not support a travel division and all these teams are independent, and 3. HSLL is in breach of their lease agreement with Howell Township, whereas they do not provide the annual schedule to the Township each February so the Township may lease the fields to 3rd parties on off HSLL days, and 4. If there is going to be a new rule and an exception, then it should apply to everyone, past players from HSLL, regardless of whether they play school ball or moved to a neighboring town or live within the Township but play for another little league, etc. We ask that Howell Township step in and either make HSLL let all the kids who have been playing travel baseball to continue or take charge of the fields themselves on off days. Basically, the travel teams just need to use the fields 1 day a week. If you feel this petition is warranted, please sign it and by doing so, your voice will be heard!!! Please just let the kids play ball! Sincerely, The Kids of Howell Township, NJ