National/World News : Thursday, July 16, 1998

by The Associated Press

LEMONT, Ill. - A 14-year-old Little League baseball player who balked at wearing a jersey emblazoned with the name of a local bar has been suspended from her team.

Krystle Newquist, who said her grandfather died from liver damage caused by alcoholism, used duct tape to cover the name of The Carousel on her jersey when she attended the first game of the season May 20.

Local league officials said the teen was out of uniform and ordered her to remove the tape. Newquist, who has played Lemont Little League baseball for seven years, refused and was suspended for the season.

The teen has now asked the school board in this Chicago suburb to investigate whether allowing teams sponsored by bars to play on school property is illegal.

"If Little League requested to put signs on the fences around the fields displaying all the sponsors, I cannot believe that this board of education would allow them to advertise The Carousel tavern on school property," Newquist said Tuesday. "Why then is it OK for them to advertise on the backs of children?"

School Board President Joseph Falese said the board would evaluate Newquist's request and decide if any action was necessary.

According to league rules, players are required to wear uniforms that are identical in color, trim and style - a policy that includes any words or pictures.

Lance Van Auken, a spokesman for Little League International, said the league forbids ads that directly advertise alcohol or tobacco products. Places that sell such items, however, are allowed.

"It's not something we were particularly happy hearing about," Van Auken said of Newquist's suspension. "But we have to give autonomy to our local leagues."

Van Auken added that the local league rejected both the option of "trading" Newquist or requesting an exemption for her.

Copyright © 1998 The Seattle Times Company