Our Community
Happy 50th Anniversary, Newtown Square Petticoat League! by Kelly DeLong, NSPL Board Member Photos from the collection of Kelly DeLong
Newtown Square Police Sgt. Stanly Short, founding member of the Newtown Square Petticoat League, in 1970
In 1970, when Newtown Township Police Sgt. Stanly Short and Officer Steve Copeland were having lunch with friend Milt Finkle at a local deli, they got talking about the lack of recreational programs and facilities for young girls in the community. That conversation led those dads to take action and form the Newtown Square Petticoat League (NSPL; www.NSPLSoftball.com), a softball organization for girls ages 4-18. This year marks NSPL’s 50th Anniversary! Starting with 180 girls in 1970 to 478 girls today, NSPL continues to thrive with the help of volunteer Board Members and Coaches and ongoing community support.
Sgt. Short’s daughter Jody (now Jody Short McQuaid) and her two sisters played in NSPL in the mid-’70s. “My father, Stan Short, and all the coaches taught us how to play as a team, built our confidence and most importantly always told us to go out and enjoy ourselves,” she recalled fondly. “I wasn’t the best player. My sisters Debby and Karen were good. Most times, I would sit on the bench with our dad and help him with the scorebook. He always made me feel like I was just as important to the team as the girls out on the field.” On NSPL’s Troop Field, which was originally a cow pasture on Bishop Hollow Road, championships were won, lifelong friendships made, and careers began. Wendy Smith, NSPL player 1970 - 1979, Coach, and NSPL Board President 1985 -1991, also has fond memories that include working together by hand, to make the fields playable. “When I think about the moments and the time that I spent at NSPL, Opening Day was always
Marple Newtown’s Most Popular Pizza!
Pizzas fresh & made to order!
• Pizzas • Strombolis • Steaks • Hoagies • Burgers • Clubs • Pasta • Seafood • Wings • Quesadillas
Our pizza is made on site daily using the finest ingredient dough, mouth-watering sauce, 100% of specially blended Wisconsin cheeses and outrageous quantities of special choice toppings.
Join our Newtown Square Pizza Rewards Club and get rewarded every time you order. Join online and you will start earning points towards FREE food and more with every purchase. Register Today & get 10% Off your first online order.
www.NewtownSquarePizza.com 3113 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 28
Let us cater your next party!
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
April 2020
•
610-353-4234
Made to order hot & cold subs!
