The Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department recently asked all town leagues in need of season-long blanket permits to confirm they were in compliance with a town rule requiring 100% of participants to be Fairfield residents. Fairfield American Little League had been following the Little League International rule which states that “players will be eligible to play with that league only if they reside or the physical location of the school where they attend classes is within the boundaries provided to and approved by Little League Baseball Incorporated.”

The reason for the Little League rule - and the reason Fairfield American followed it - is because it allows players, particularly those at the youngest ages, to play on teams with their friends from school. As an example, this rule allowed a handful of kids who attended St. Thomas - but lived in neighboring towns - to play baseball with their friends.

However, beginning with our 2018 summer season Fairfield American must now be in compliance with town rule in order to ensure it has fields available across all age groups in the league. We can no longer allow kids who attend schools within Fairfield American’s boundaries, but live in another town, to participate in our league's programs, as doing so would limit our ability to get sufficient field space.