Local

By Micah Kushner 

Ft. Lauderdale will host 160 teams who begin play next week in the 2006 Gay Softball World Series.  The men will have 117 teams in four divisions, while 43 women's team will compete on NAGAAA’s biggest stage.  This will mark the first time a Florida city has hosted the Gay Softball World Series. 

“We are excited.  This is going to be a huge tournament not just for us, but for the entire city of Ft. Lauderdale.  The city has embraced us with open arms, “Cheryl O’Bryan, Vice-Chair for the 2006 Gay Softball World Series said.  Ft. Lauderdale has an annual “Hurricane Showdown” tournament which takes place Thanksgiving Day weekend. 

Frequent visitors feel this experience should be no different. “Ft Lauderdale I am sure will be an excellent host city. Their Thanksgiving Weekend Tournament has always been first class, but this time of year being Hurricane season I am sure they are saying a lot of prayers in South Florida, “ Randy Thomas, manager of Tampa Fusion said.   

There has been some uncertainty leading up to the tournament due to the fact that the tournament is being held in Florida, right in the peak of Hurricane season. Many teams from all over the country have been glued to the Weather Channel.  NAGAAA put Dallas and Portland on standby, but it appears nearly two years of hard work will finally pay off for the first time host.  “Every city that hosts a tournament should have a contingency plan.  We are no different from any city that receives a bid.  There is nothing you can do about the weather.  We are just crossing our fingers for a great week of softball,” O’Bryan said. 

The week long event is set to kick off Sunday, with a welcoming party at VooDoo Lounge.  Opening Ceremonies is set for Monday evening at the War Memorial Auditorium.  There's no such thing as a Gay Softball World Series without a Homerun Derby contest.  The event will take place Monday, too, and will feature participants in both Men’s and Women's divisions.  Round Robin play begins Tuesday while the tournament concludes Saturday, Aug. 19 with the championship games. 

The 2005 Men’s A-Division champion, L.A. Vipers, will be returning with their sights set on yet another victorious ending, while Texas Reserve is the team to beat in the competitive women's division after bringing hardware back to Dallas last summer.  Tampa Fusion has some unfinished business after falling a run short to last years eventual Men's C-division champion Seattle Blue Sox. 

“Last year was a disappointment for us looking back on it now.  We really didn't go there expecting to win but losing to the champion by one run really grabbed our attention after it was over", Thomas said.  Tampa Fusion, which placed 12^th a year ago, has a great shot at reversing their fate.  Most managers will agree that winning is not everything.  “It will be disappointing if we don't win. Our goal is to compete for a championship, but as long as we do our best and we compete it will be a successful week.  I love my guys and competing with them is really what it's all about." 

The Men's D-Division is up for grabs since the 2005 champs, Tampa Titans, will not be making a return trip to the series.  Dallas Woody's, who struck gold in the Chicago Gay Games, will try and add a World Series title to what has already been a very impressive summer of softball.  Woody's will compete in a 27-team B-Division. The Atlanta Venom, winners of the 2004 A-Division World Series, look to rebound off last years fourth-place finish. 

This years Gay Softball World Series will feature a unique look from a team out of Oklahoma City.  The Shockers (Men’s C-Division), who fought back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven league series to clinch a berth, will be making their first Gay Softball World Series trip.   The Shockers play as a true coed team.

“Ninety-nine percent of the teams we face at tournaments are 100% male," Laurie Pool, founder and manager of the Oklahoma City Shockers said.  The tight-knit Shockers are out to prove they belong with the rest of the field.  “We went to the Lone Star Classic (Houston) over Memorial Day Weekend and we were labeled as the novelty act until we reached the finals,” Pool said.  The Shockers finished runner-up in Houston to another 2006 World Series participant, Bud Light's Texas Toast (Dallas).  Pool, who will be soaking in the excitement for the first time, believes her team is ready for the challenge. 

“We have played in some various tournaments this year to help prepare us for next week.  We had our sights set on Ft. Lauderdale the moment we joined NAGAAA a year ago.”  Pool has done an outstanding job with her team in just a short time.   Anyone going to the World Series should take notice to this talented team in the Men’s C-Division. 

Aug. 10, 2006