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After a week of action featuring more than 700 games, the gay softball World Series wrapped this August 30 in Seattle. Jointly sanctioned by the Amateur Sports Association of North America (ASANA) and the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (NAGAAA), the series featured some 3,000 players, coaches and fans on 175 teams from 41 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

Teams from five cities were represented on the winner’s podium with the host Emerald City Softball Association leading the way as three Seattle teams claimed first place hardware. Along with Seattle - Dallas, Los Angeles, Boston and Kansas City teams also won championships.

Northwest Quest Series 2008 Championship game scores

Open A LA Vipers 32, San Francisco D2 28
Open B Boston Café Crew 17, Long Beach Rough Riders 15
Open C Dallas Xplosion 13, Philadelphia Triple Play 11
Open D Seattle Atomic 7, Atlanta Muddogs 5
Women’s A Seattle Vibe 12, Long Beach Not Done Yet 2
Women’s B Kansas City Pride 16, San Diego Urban Mo’s 7
Women’s C Seattle LunaChix 25, Atlanta Gamma 24
Women’s D LA Nemesis 8, Atlanta Gamma Lite 7

Plagued by a bit of unseasonable weather at times, even for Seattle, the series ended on a bright note as the championship games were played under blues skies and temperatures in the 70’s. Players were treated to a northwest-style salmon bar-b-que before the awards ceremony where sky divers delivered the flags for 2009 series hosts Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"The Seattle committee worked endless hours in preparation for the series and I know it will be an experience not easily forgotten" said ASANA and NAGAAA Commissioners Stacey Hiyashi and Roy Melani. “It was definitely an exciting week filled with great softball and great fun."

"That was always our main goal," said Northwest Quest Executive Director Frank Pichinini. "We wanted to make sure everyone had a good time. I am so proud of my team of directors and all the volunteers. They worked hard to put on a first class event and I think they succeeded. It was fun, but I sure look forward to attending as a guest next year in Wisconsin."