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Central Florida Softball
League Celebrates 10th Anniversary
By
Steve
Roberts
Outsports.com
September 9th will be opening day
for over 300 gay men and women in Orlando as the
Central
Florida Softball League celebrates its 10th
anniversary.
The league was founded in 1998 when Russ
Crumley invited several sports minded gay Orlandoans to his
home to plan a league by and for the gay community of
Central Florida. Getting organized was certainly a
challenge. Crumley wanted to insure that everyone had a role
in the direction the league would take, and the core group
he put together worked though all the varying personalities
toward one common goal. Today, the Central Florida Softball
League is viewed as one of the most successful gay-sports
enterprises in Central Florida.
The league has grown to 23 teams with over
300 player/members. Most of the members identify as gay, but
one of the most endearing attributes of the league is that
gay men and women have invited straight friends and family
members to enjoy and play in a gay-positive atmosphere.
It’s been interesting watching the league
grow over the years. The Orlando Force has been the
preeminent team in the league since its inception; they have
been forced into a playoff for first place only twice in 18
seasons. Several of the women teams organized before the
league, and they have always played in different tournaments
and leagues throughout the Southeast. Now several of the
men’s teams play in “straight” tournaments locally. A couple
of teams also play in “straight” leagues to keep a
year-round schedule. CFSL is a member of
NAGAAA. Several teams travel the country playing in
NAGAAA sanctioned tournaments throughout the year.
The biggest spin off of CFSL is the
Orlando Meltdown tournament held each January. The
Meltdown, a charity tournament, started in 2000. It has been
managed by Kyle Gaither and Tommy Schilling since its
inception. Teams that place win money contributed to their
favorite charity. In 2007, the Meltdown had 46 teams
competing. The weather is usually great, and the facilities
are top notch.
See some of the latest
photos from CFSL
here.
Sept. 8, 2007 |
