The District's Little League Riches

The July 2 Reliable Source column wasn't quite reliable in reporting on D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's son Andrew playing baseball outside the District ["The 'Home' Team?," Style]. Oh, yes, he does indeed play on a Bethesda-Chevy Chase (BCC) travel team. But the column was wrong when it said the BCC team offered "better fields, facilities and equipment." The column also said that the Fentys "have passed over D.C. baseball for more competitive suburban teams." Wrong again.

There are several strong D.C. baseball programs, including Northwest Washington Little League, for which my two boys play, DC Dynasty Baseball and even our arch-rivals, Capitol City Little League, among others.

Many D.C. fields have been refurbished. We recently played at Taft in Northeast, with well-kept grass and lights for night games. Last weekend, my boys played at Fort Stanton, Fort Lincoln, Friendship and Guy Mason. All in the city, all at good fields. In fact, my younger son left his BCC travel team to play for D.C. teams. A mentor told him that he didn't have to drive to Olney or Germantown to play competitive baseball. That was great advice, because we have enjoyed playing in our community. Maybe the Fentys will also consider looking in their own back yard before signing up in the suburbs again.

MELINDA ROTH

Washington