Memorial Day weekend is here and that means the City of Brotherly Love Softball League is gearing up for its annual Liberty Bell Classic. The fifth annual tournament, May 24-26, will feature a wealth of competitions as well as parties that will, in part, celebrate the league’s 30th anniversary. The event is expected to bring 450 players and supporters from 44 teams from New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, North and South Carolina, Southern New England, Virginia and the Philadelphia region. Instead of using all tournament proceeds to support CBLSL, the league will donate a portion of the money raised to One Fund Boston, which is helping relief efforts in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, as well as all proceeds from T-shirts sales. “We have teams that come from Boston and we have good relationships with Boston leagues and so, after the Boston Marathon tragedy, we unanimously decided this would be a good idea to show support for Boston and the teams that support the Liberty Bell Classic,” said CBLSL publicity committee member Caitlin Smith. CBLSL commissioner Bob Lenahan agreed that it was important to support both Boston and its sports community. “We have always had a very close relationship with the teams in Boston. They are always so supportive of Liberty Bell Classic and we enjoy going to their tournaments as well,” he said. “Donating proceeds of the tournament to One Fund Boston was just one way for us to give back and show our support after this terrible tragedy.” Smith has been playing for the league for six years, but has long been a spectator and a cheerleader for her mom, who played for the league since Smith was 10. She said throughout her years involved, she has enjoyed watching friendships evolve, which is evident at the annual tournament. “It’s great. What I like about the Liberty Bell Classic is that the teams that come to Philly are really only ones you see when you go to tournaments,” she said. “Different teams come down, like New York, and they have friendships on our team that have developed from going to tournaments. It is interesting to see the dynamic.” Games will be held at Edgley and Dairy Fields, as well as at a field in New Jersey. There will also be plenty of social events for players and supporters, starting with an opening party from 7-10 p.m. May 24 at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. A Gayborhood block party will kick off at 7 p.m. May 25 on Camac Street, and the tournament will wrap up with a closing party at 6 p.m. May 26 at Fox & Hound, 1501 Spruce St. For more information on the classic, visit www.libertybellclassic.org or www.cblsl.org.
