Groton – On the field Monday at Washington Park: Two high school softball programs that have combined to win five state championships since 2009.

Fitch.

Waterford.

Excellence.

The game was not part of the schedule within the Eastern Connecticut Conference. They played because they wanted to. They played because – and some administrators in the league may want to hold on to their assets here – they believe quality competition makes you better.

But then, maybe that's how you win five state titles.

Waterford coach Liz Sutman: "It's a traditional rivalry. When we were in the Large Division, this is where the big battles happened: with Fitch, NFA and East Lyme. These are the teams we want to play. I've said this to many people. I would rather play Fitch when they're loaded 20 times and play no other teams and take a shot and getting a couple of wins out of it. I want to play the best teams. I don't care if I win or lose. It's the best way our team gets better."

Fitch coach Kate Prpich: "The stability of these programs means it's always going to be a good game. The score today (Fitch won 11-0) didn't represent how good of a game it actually was. We will always play Waterford. Some years they're loaded. Some years we are. But we always want to play them. A great rivalry."

And yet if you've been following along, you know this is one of the rivalries that may go kaput in a potentially fractured ECC. Waterford officials are among those not compelled to align themselves with East Lyme, Fitch, Ledyard and New London, the four schools working to form the Southeastern Connecticut Athletic Conference.

It's pathetic.

More Sutman: "This is tradition. Good competition. I speak knowing the softball program and knowing what's best for it. But I also know Waterford always competes with everybody in every sport. We're up to the challenge to compete with anybody in any sport."

Sutman should go to the window and collect. She knows her school and town. Just as Prpich knows hers.

"I have to choose my words carefully," Prpich said. "I think we have really good softball programs close by and I would really love the opportunity to keep playing them. It would be disappointing to me to lose some of the local rivalries. When local competition is great, why would you go elsewhere?"

Great question, Kate. Sure wish some of the obstructionists in the ECC would answer.

And the questions have been asked. It is totally understandable that readers would like more fact and less opinion on this subject. Problem: Nobody in this league is talking for the record. Why? I doubt they want to be held to public ridicule. Which is what would happen. Think about it: Waterford wins in just about everything. How would it play publicly if a school official came out and admitted the Lancers want to duck the best competition?

Perhaps Waterford athletic director Dave Sousa should consult his coaches. And his kids. It's my privilege to have become friendly with many athletes in the school: Connor Lewis, Mike Gianakos, Isaiah Jones, Sara Buscetto, Landon Peabody, Jake Mangual, Griffin Beaney, Mikey Buscetto, Mike McDermott, Chase Speller, Thomas Sutera, Matt Shea, Ally Pezzolesi, Kevin Johnson, Jeff Evans and Kyle McComic, among others.

My take on them: I love them all. I've asked many of them their opinion: Would you rather play East Lyme, Ledyard and New London or Griswold, Plainfield and Tourtellotte? They give you that priceless, teenage, "well, duh" look. And they're right.

So are Prpich and Sutman, two more coaches who echo the opinions of virtually every right minded observer of local sports. Prpich's words ought to be read aloud at the next ECC principals' gathering May 8: When local competition is great, why would you go elsewhere?

Know why, Kate? Because it's more important for some administrators to protect their precious football programs. And allow personality conflicts to cloud their judgment about what's best for all the kids.

At least Prpich and Sutman get it. You play the best teams in your backyard. No wonder why they win.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

Twitter: @BCgenius