Organizers raise $90,000 selling concessions at Brewers games
Enterprising Milwaukee softball players raised $90,000 for the 2009 Gay Softball World Series by manning concession stands at Miller Park during Milwaukee Brewers games.
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| Softball players from around North America will descend on Milwaukee this summer. |
"Saturday Softball Beer League (SSBL) is the name of our local gay softball league," said Mike Kuharske, one of the organizers of Milwaukee's world series committee.
"Each year the league provides a minimum of 14 volunteers to run a concession stand at each of 40-50 of the home games. The funds are either used for our annual Dairlyland Classic Tournament, or in the case of the funds from last year and this year for the GSWS. Over the years, SSBL has proven itself to be one the best volunteer groups, meaning we are placed in the premier stand on the lower level behind home plate."
This year's GSWS takes place Aug. 31 through Sept. 5, and Milwaukee organizers are expecting it to be the largest ever despite the down economy.
Organizers cite the convenient Midwest location, mid-market affordability, and Milwaukee’s reputation of putting on fun-filled tournaments as the reasons for an expected large turnout. Organizers have had to secure additional field locations to accommodate the expected tournament size.
“Milwaukee’s Midwest location is easy and inexpensive for teams traveling from either coast. Once they get here, they’ll have all the big-city amenities at small-town prices,” said Brian Reinkober, commissioner of the GSWS host committee.
Singer Thelma Houston ("Don't Leave Me This Way") will sing at the opening ceremonies. A three-block stretch of the city will also be closed to accommodate a block party.
Readers interested in more information can visit the official website at www.series2009.org or join the Facebook group.
