The Edison Angels, a once-thriving girls’ softball league in Edison, has been disbanded. The fields where countless young women practiced, played and forged lifelong friendships will be replaced by soccer fields, a project carrying a hefty $5.4 million price tag.
The news has sparked debate about the utilization of the property. Considering the recent plan to construct ten turf soccer fields at nearby Edison Park and the adjacent four grass fields at the Livingston Rec Fields, the question is asked, How many soccer fields are needed and at what cost?
The decision to close the Angels’ fields has been met with sadness and anger from former players, their families, and softball enthusiasts in the community. “We had hopes of keeping those fields for softball as our current complex only has two fields with no lights, limiting when and how often we can practice and play” said Mike Peer the current President of Edison Midtown Softball. “I think the softball complex would be best used for softball and the $5.4 million could be spent to develop the adjacent property.”
Established decades ago, the Edison Angels were not just a sports league, but a community fixture. Former players recount memories of tournaments, hard-fought games, and the irreplaceable bonds formed on the diamond. For many, the Angels’ legacy made them synonymous with girls’ softball in New Jersey.
“It’s a slap in the face to the girls who play softball” says Maria Hernandez, whose daughter played for the Angels for eight years. “How many soccer fields do we possibly need in South Edison. The soccer league is tremendous but there is other property to use without getting rid of the softball fields.”
“Enough is enough,” said Rich Sweeney a former President of the Edison Angels “While I support all sports, you can’t keep expanding facilities for one at the expense of others. It sends the wrong message about what we value.”
The fate of the Edison Angels sheds light on a larger conversation about resource allocation and gender equity in youth sports. As the township transforms the Angels’ fields at a cost of $5.4 million it also sheds light on the fair and equitable utilization of our towns resources by our elected officials.
