Discriminatory County Softball League Rules Changed

The Caroline County, Virginia Board of Supervisors on Tuesday said the county recreation department will change its rules governing participation in the county's softball league. Wednesday's Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that the move came after a complaint by Rich Lieberman, a Jewish resident of the county, who was told he could not sign up to play because he does not attend a church in the county. Caroline County has no synagogues. Recreation Department Director Donnell Howard said that the county never intended to exclude individuals because of their religion. Church affiliation was used as a way to organize teams and assure church funding-- rather than county funding-- for them. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]