Marc Gofstein 
Special to Outsports

The beginning of August usually means that the end of summer is just around the corner. However, in the gay softball world, August means one thing: The Gay World Series is upon us. 

With just a few days remaining until the 27^th Annual NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series begins in our nation’s capital, the final slots for the weeklong tournament are finally determined and all that’s left now is for the games to begin. 

Here are some more of the participants for the 2003 Gay Softball World Series. 

BEANTOWN SOFTBALL LEAGUE – BOSTON

The 2003 Beantown Softball season started out strong and finished even stronger, but was not without a tremendous amount of sadness. The passing of Rickie Silva midway through the season made for a bitter and disappointing side note to the league’s season. However, according to many members of the league, Rickie’s memory will last a lifetime, and many of the members dedicated their season to him. 

Additionally, many of the players and coached from Boston’s World Series representatives will be taking pictures of Rickie with them, along with his uniform jersey to keep as a reminder and motivator as they compete in the series. 

Boston’s series participants are: Boston Fritz (Open A), Club Café Crew (Open B), 5-Star Generals and Team Paradise (Open C), and Pride Mortgage (Open D). 

PEGASUS SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION – DALLAS 

What a wild and exciting 2003 season in Dallas. The postseason tournament was thrilling and produced some of Dallas’ strongest teams in many years (according to the league’s website). 

The league not only is sending some powerful teams to this year’s Gay World Series, they have a large delegation going to D.C. to give the other league Commissioner an update on their preparation for the 2004 series, which Dallas is hosting. 

However, for Series 2003, Dallas is sending TMC Fuel (Open A), Dallas Woody’s (Open B), Texas Heat and Dallas Travelers (Open C), and Ron’s Place Angelboys (Open D). 

The boys and girls from Dallas also want to “formally invite y’all to the 28^th Annual NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series, August 2004.” 

SURF AND SUN SOFTBALL LEAGUE – LONG BEACH/ORANGE COUNTY 

While the league just south of Los Angeles and just north of San Diego is quite smaller than either of its neighbors, it still has produced some mighty powerful teams and competitors. The 2003 season was no exception. 

This league produced the Women’s Competitive champs in 2001 (Yes I Am), along with strong teams in the Open and other Women’s divisions. And, for yet another year, is sending strong contenders to D.C. 

From the Open Division, Surf and Sun is sending the Rebels (Open B), the Undertakers (Open C) and the Enervators (Open D), while in the Women’s Division, Yes I Am once again will compete in Women’s Competitive, Off the Bench and Team Effort will be in Women’s Alternative, and Whatever will compete in the new Women’s Rec Division. 

SAN FRANCISCO GAY SOFTBALL LEAGUE – SAN FRANCISCO

The City by the Bay had its strongest season ever in 2003. Although, like Boston, San Francisco also lost a beloved member of its family. Aaron Nelson was a member of the Lone Star Mayhem, one of several teams Nelson played for in his many years, and was truly one of the good guys. I actually knew him, and was deeply saddened when I heard of his passing. 

Having many teams who previously won World Series trophies, San Francisco knows that whoever goes the Series needs to be strong and competitive. This year’s crop of representatives definitely proves that none of them will leave their hearts in San Francisco; they will have them on the fields of D.C. trying to bring home the gold. 

As for the teams, the SF Seals will participate in the Open A Division, Rolo Style and Lone Star Mayhem will be in Open B, SF Wildcats and SF Hard Drive will play in Open C, and the Regular Guys will compete in Open D. 

The Women’s representative are also coming to D.C. will all guns blazing and have a bumper crop of talent. In the Women’s Competitive, SF Fire and the Pilsner Panther will take their shots at the top; while in the Women’s Alternative Wyndham All will truly try to Win Them All. 

OTHER NEWS/NOTES: TOURNAMENTS 

Don’t forget…Seattle, Vancouver and Detroit all have Labor Day Weekend tournaments. Information can be obtained by going to: 

www.emeraldcitysoftball.org - SEATTLE

www.wesa.net - VANCOUVER

www.mdsl.org - DETROIT 

October’s tournaments include Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell Classic (taking the place of Washington’s MAGIC, cancelled this year due to the Gay World Series being in Washington), and San Diego’s Autumn Classic. Both take place over Columbus Day Weekend (Oct. 10-12). For more information, go to: 

www.libertybellclassic.org - PHILADELPHIA

www.afcsl.org - SAN DIEGO 

The last tournament of the 2003 year traditionally takes place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and is, in my humble opinion, the best tournament in North America. The Hurricane Showdown takes place over Thanksgiving Weekend. The event starts with a wonderful Thanksgiving Banquet for the participating teams and takes place at Georgie’s Alibi (a Florida institution), followed by the annual Miss Hurricane Showdown pageant. Games take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the weekend ends with a barbecue and awards party back at the Alibi. Get more information at www.hurricaneshowdown.org  

That’s all for now. There should be results galore coming from Washington, D.C., and the 27^th NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series. 

Until then, keep swingin’, hittin’ and playin’ with those softballs.