57-Year Burbank Tradition Broken : Softball Teams Open to Both Sexes

In an effort to stem criticism that its municipal softball program is sexist, the city of Burbank Wednesday night broke 57 years of tradition by adopting new rules that will allow women and men to play on each other’s teams.

The rules leave the city’s separate men’s and women’s softball leagues intact but permit both men and women to request an “exception” to play in the league of the opposite sex. Previously, the leagues were strictly segregated.

The exception rule came two months after four-time All-American softball player Kathie Maurice threatened to sue the city if she was forbidden from competing in the men’s fast-pitch softball league. Maurice, 27, had contended that the city’s women’s league was not challenging and was no fun.

“This is only going to aid our program as the years go on,” said Michael Ragan, chairman of the Burbank Park and Recreation Board shortly after the board unanimously approved the new policy. “This is a super move for Burbank and hopefully for other cities as well.”

Maurice was accompanied by Burbank resident and women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred, who called the decision “super.” Maurice said she planned to apply as an “exception” in the spring league play. Allred said the decision marks the beginning of the end of “sexual apartheid in sports” in Burbank.

The board, facing pressure from Maurice and Allred, suspended the male-only rule in November pending a comprehensive review of the softball program by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The board agreed at that time to permit Maurice to play in the male league for the rest of the 1984 season and during playoffs.

Players requesting an exception will be required to describe their qualifications, their reasons for wanting an exception and benefits that will result from the change. All exceptions must be approved by the team manager and the league director and will be evaluated “in terms of benefits to the individual, the effect on the league and safety,” according to Parks and Recreation Director Richard R. Inga.

City officials had contended that there was no need to open the leagues to players from the other sex because both leagues were structured identically and offered comparable facilities. In his memo to the board, Inga said proposals to open all adult leagues to both men and women players were “unnecessary” and “undesirable.”