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This email came out from one of my other leagues. Why isn`t the IFFL working with the county to provide comments or solicit information from team owners and players? Have you ever wondered why people are out on a park field playing soccer when the fields are closed? Have you ever arrived for a game or practice and found other people playing soccer on the field and refuse to leave? The folks playing on these fields are typically unpermitted groups that are attempting to use the field space for free. Over the last several years our referees, players, and spectators have had to deal with these issues. Adult soccer leagues (or pick-up games) have refused to leave when our teams show up for their games. Then when asked to leave, they become very angry and have threatened our referees, stolen player bags from the sidelines, and have even turned the lights off during our games. Unfortunately, this is going on throughout the County. One important regulation to curb this use is the fact that any group of more than 40 people needs to have a permit (this was reduced from 75 a few years ago). Smaller groups are allowed to use fields when permitted groups are not using them. The Fairfax County Athletic Council is pushing to reduce this number from 40 to 20. This would deter a lot of the un-permitted adult soccer leagues (or pick-up games) from using the fields if they are not permitted or the fields are closed. The school system has already agreed to reduce the number and the Park Authority is currently accepting comments on changing the regulation. This is something that would bring equity to the system, but more importantly help preserve the condition of the fields and make our referees, players, and spectators safer. We ask that you take a minute and email the Park Authority at this email address - parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov - and ask them to support the sports community`s request to reduce the allowed walk on number from 40 to 20. Typically, very few people send in comments. You can make a huge difference! Bottom Line, if you want to play on the nice (grass or turf) fields then you need to support this effort! Otherwise, these rogue soccer leagues will continue to destroy and tear up the fields. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and we appreciate your emails supporting this effort.