HERMITAGE A place to call their own: Softball players look for fields

The two leagues say a four-field complex would help.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- There are 230 young women in the city with a common problem: They have no place to play softball.
Representatives of the Hermitage Girls Fastpitch and Hermitage Girls Slowpitch leagues, accompanied by about 20 players, showed up at a city commissioners' meeting Wednesday asking for help in developing their own fields.
The leagues use one field at Hickory High School and a Little League field in the city but have also had to use a field in West Middlesex to meet their schedules, said spokeswoman Valerie Backo of Lamor Road.
"We need a place," she told the commissioners, suggesting that a complex for girls softball would be the answer.
Parents and businesses have offered to donate time and material, and parents will also help raise money for the project, added Linda Carine of Anne Lane.
The Hermitage School District says it can't help because it is landlocked and most of its playing fields are already committed, said Leon Levis of Selina Boulevard.
City commissioners expressed a willingness to help, and City Manager Gary Hinkson suggested that representatives of the leagues meet with city officials and perhaps the parks and recreation commission to look for sites and funding sources.
State grants also are available to help with recreational development, said Gary Gulla, assistant city manager, adding that grants must be matched with local funds.
Commissioner Pat White said the city should be willing to make a financial commitment to help its residents.