In addition to the image above, below is the complete text of the letter. Please pass it on.

12 March 2025

Once again, the league has made a purposeful and conscious decision to continue to discriminate against women and non-binary players, with the explicit inclusion of a policy allowing imbalanced 12-player lineups (7:5) that allows including men players over women and non-binary players.

I will not support this.

That this lineup may only ever rarely be seen in practice, is wholly irrelevant. If that were true – and I think it is, evidenced by examining lineup cards from 2024 – then there is absolutely no reason to maintain the policy; however, in doing precisely this, the league is expressing a willingness to appease those who would wish to continue to fail to encourage women and non-binary players from participating in softball in equal numbers to men players.

The league’s decision on this issue has caused me to reflect upon my participation in softball.

I cannot support a league that does not support gender equality.

“This hurts me more than it hurts you” has never been truer. I love playing softball. I have no doubt the league, nor anyone in it, will be impacted much by my absence. But I would not sleep at night knowing I was contributing to the success of a league that chooses to compromise on issues such as gender equality, and refuses to act, by continuing policies that fail to ensure the equal participation of women and non-binary players.

                                                Regards,

                                                John Edwards