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OUTSPORTS.com
presents coverage of the
2001 Gay Softball
World Series
Player Reaction
Some of Cyd Zeigler's
comments about the LA Stray Cats have spurred letters to
Outsports. As we
encourage all viewpoints at Outsports.com, we are printing some of
them here. Thanks to everyone who wrote in.
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Dear Cyd,
I respect your opinion
regarding the LA Stray Cats, however, disagree completely. I am a
member of the Stray Cats and have been for the last 3 full years. How
many Stray Cats did you interview? Gay or straight? The two
"straight player" rule goes for everyone, not just us. This
goes for every division, not just the A division. Initially, I was a
pick up player for the Cats, but I had to work hard to start for the
team.
And yes, the sport is
great for the gay and as your wrote "nongay community", it
is still competition. I am sure there is not a team in the Gay
community that wouldn't mind seeing the Stray Cats lose the World
Series, but you are talking about a bunch of athletes that enjoy
playing to their best ability. Do you honestly think we cheat or go to
any length to find the two best straight players there are? Maybe you
should look at our stats, the gay players have better batting averages
than the straight.
And your comment on going
out of town to get players....... do you even know the rules? We can
only pick up players that do not have leagues in their cities to play
in. Now that sounds like reaching out and giving gay athletes a place
to play ball within a community they can feel comfortable and
safe.
Your write-up was one
sided, and I think you know that. We were asked by a group from the
National Committee to consider not returning next year....... and we
gracefully declined their offer. I know I would not want to win by
default, nor would any other athlete, gay or straight. You also imply
that we do not establish friendships. If you only knew how strong the
friendships we have developed are.
You really should
have interviewed one of the players; each of us has our own story. It
really sounds like you interviewed people that don't know who we
really are. We are so much more than a softball team, we are proud gay
men who work hard at our sport and play with the utmost respect. I am
disappointed that you took the low road, rather than respect the
accomplishment of the LA Stray Cats, and be proud that we represent
the gay community in the softball arena.
Jason Winburn
Los Angeles |
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Dear Editors:
I was very happy to see
Outsports.com experiencing the Gay Softball World series. I must
tell you that I was very impressed to see such a gathering of
gay athletes from across North America. I have been playing in
the gay softball league in Los Angeles now for less than a year,
after playing organized baseball for many years, and this event
was quite a thrill for me. I went to Northern California
representing a C Division team, Rusty's and we got to play many
games against cities from all over America, and even
Toronto.
I must take issue with your
comments about the L.A. Stray Cats. They are indeed the best and
most impressive gay softball team in the country, but some of
your comments are not fair. You say: "Big deal. To the
Stray Cats, unfortunately, winning isn't just a goal-- it's
everything. While a wonderful community has grown out of gay
softball, the LA Stray Cats are not a part of it. They show up
for an event from time to time, but I got no sense that this
team cares at all about anyone else out there but
themselves."
That's just not true. I have become friends
with many of the people on this team and they were as visible
and prominent at every event surrounding the world series. From
the opening ceremonies in San Francisco to the closing
ceremonies at the fields--every member of this team, and yes
even the two straight players, were present and hanging out with
teams from everywhere. Winning
is absolutely important to the Stray Cats, but they also look
forward to spending time with the other softball players after
the games. I even went to a few of the clubs in the city with
members of the Stray Cats during the week, even though they had
games the next day.
You also say: "Two of the
rules that make the LA Stray Cats such a dominant team are the
ability to have two straight players per team and to have two
out-of-town players per team". Those are the rules and the
Stray Cats abide by them, just like every other A Division team,
I assure you. Why should the Stray Cats be criticized for
playing by the rules and succeeding within them? It is not like
the team lied about players being gay or where players lived.
They built a franchise based on the rules and were able to
capture yet another title. I think they should be praised for
winning year after year, playing by the rules, with only two
original Stray Cats on the roster. Isn't that truly a phenomenal
feat? I understand if you take issue with the rules of NAGAAA,
but the Stray Cats have broken no rules at all.
I thought it was important to
send this note in defense of the Stray Cats because I didn't
want their incredible accomplishment to be overshadowed by a few
players that might be envious of their success. Let's face it--eight consecutive titles with many different rosters over the years
is something worth tipping your hat at. Some people may feel the
members of the team are on a pedestal above them, but after
hanging out with the team, I can honestly tell you that they
enjoy going to the gay bars after the games just like everyone
on the C teams. I would recommend you interview Gary Castro,
manager of the Stray Cats, or one of the other players to allow
them to defend themselves. I thought it was only fair that
someone step up and say that on behalf of LA we're proud of the
Stray Cats. I welcome your thoughts.
Erik Braverman
Los Angeles |
| Dear Outsports.com,
I just came back from the 25th Silver Anniversary of
the Gay World Series in San Francisco and I had a great time. Sure there was some drama on and off the
field, but a good time was had by many.
After coming back home to Los Angeles, I read an
article on your website about the LA Stray Cats. I know the Stray Cats personally and am OFFENDED by your
article. How dare you write such comments that are so untrue! You write, "They show up for an event from
time to time, but I got no sense that this team cares at all about anyone else out there but themselves."
Please tell me what you base this comment on? I'd really like to know.
Do you live in Los Angeles where you observe the Stray
Cats from week to week? I'm assuming the answer is no, because if you did, you would know that the team as a
whole, and especially the coach/manager Gary Castro are extremely involved in the league. In fact, Mr.
Castro and a few of his teammates came out to help instruct my team (LA Radicals) as we were preparing
for a big tournament. These Stray Cat players took valuable time out of their weekend to come help out a
team that asked for help. Did you also know that Mr. Castro and his team played a huge role in putting on
this years Switch Hitters Ball? Not only did Mr. Castro co-chair the event, but several of his players
also played big parts behind the scenes, including entering an act in the show, to make sure the event
went off without a hitch.
Another comment in your article that struck a nerve of
mine was "Two of the rules that make the LA Stray Cats such a dominant team are the ability to have two
straight players per team and to have two out-of-town players per team." It wasn't this comment so much
that bothered me, but it was what you said afterwards that eluded to the idea that they abuse these rules.
If you asked most teams out there if they have non-gay players on their team, I'm sure most of them would say
yes. My team has two non-gay players and most of the teams in Los Angeles have non-gay players on their
roster. This should be a good thing because we're teaching tolerance and uniting both
communities, and it shouldn't be a negative the way you stated it. You
tried to put a spin on the subject by quoting a former Stray Cat, "we will go out and get the two best
straight players, and the two best out-of-town players, we can find." What you have to remember is
that this team, as well as many teams, travels every year. When you travel, you tend to make friends in
different cities. Friends like to play with friends. When you're in the A-division, you're most likely
going to meet other "A" players. If you're an "A" player, you're one of the best of the best! So when a
spot opens up on the Stray Cat roster, why isn't it natural to ask your friends to try out? If your
friends are great players, does that mean you're doing something wrong? I don't think so.
It is your responsibility as a publication to write
the truth. If the truth doesn't matter to you, then maybe you should be writing for a tabloid. This
article on the LA Stray Cats was a display of irresponsible journalism. Whenever you write negative
comments about anybody, you should have your facts checked out first. There was another article on
cheating in the World Series and you said it was sad that teams feel like they have to "fix" their player
ratings in order to have a chance at winning. You said that the teams that do this should have stiffer
penalties imposed on them. Well, I think that after your inaccurate article on the LA Stray Cats, a stiff
penalty should be imposed on you for publishing such lies. It's time to practice what you preach!
Chad Foydl
Manager - LA Radicals
Los Angeles |
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