Queer Sports Roundup
Gay Leagues in Columbus
Columbus Lesbian & Gay Softball Association (CLGSA)
Known as the first gay softball team in Columbus, the CLGSA formed in 1978. Anyone can join to manage a team and can find out how at an informational meeting scheduled for February 21 from 7p-9p at the Stonewall Center. Recruitment and registration events will begin in March and anyone can attend. In the past, fees have been $450 for singles and $600 for doubles. More info can be found at www.clgsa.net.
The North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA)
Formed in 1977, The NAGAAA promotes amateur sports competition, specifically softball, to all people, with an emphasis on the GLBT community. The NAGAAA also promotes city-to-city travel for competition and have a presence right here in Columbus. (www.nagaaasoftball.org)
Columbus Lesbian Softball League
The Columbus Lesbian Softball League (CLSL) is a non-profit organization established to provide a positive and supportive environment in which women can recreate and strengthen relationships within the lesbian community. For more info call 614.801.4204.
Rainbow Golf League
Columbus’s gay golf team, the Rainbow Golf League, is open to all Central Ohioans who are members or supporters of the GLBT community. While specific information regarding the 2010 season is not yet available, the league’s rules can be reviewed and an online membership form can be filled out online at www.rainbowgolf.org.
Columbus Metropolitan Tennis Organization (CMTO)
CMTO is dedicated to fostering competitive and recreational tennis leagues for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals and their friends throughout the Columbus area. Registration for the 2010 Summer Singles, Doubles and Challenge Ladder leagues opens March 1, 2010. Leagues begin play May 1, 2010. CMTO also hosts tennis socials at The Players’ Club located on Columbus’s west side on the second Saturdays from September through April between 6:30p-10p. There is a $20 cost per person to cover court time, and complimentary pizza is served. Register at: www.cmto1.org.
Columbus Alternative Volleyball Enthusiasts (CAVE)
CAVE is not for profit organization which runs and organizes volleyball tournaments for the gay community in Columbus. The tournaments are held throughout the year with the largest NAGVA sanctioned tournament held over Labor Day weekend. The Labor of Love Volleyball Classic welcomes in numerous teams from around the country for a fun-filled weekend of volleyball and social events with proceeds going to support a local charitable organization. Other one-day tournaments have been held in June and December in the past. For more information about the tournaments, please contact Jason Fallon at jasvball@earthlink.net.
Capital City Volleyball (CCV)
CCV is a community group dedicated to providing fun and competitive volleyball for the gay community and their friends in Columbus throughout the year. We offer leagues in the fall and winter with open gyms for signups prior to each league. All levels of volleyball are represented in the league from the beginner to the very competitive as well as a women’s division. For more information, go to www.capitalcityvolleyball.org.
Columbus Electronic Darts League
The mission of the Columbus Electronic Darts League? Enjoy the sport of throwing darts, meet new people and make new friends. The league is a not-for-profit social organization. They are a traveling league playing at 15 of Columbus’s gay-friendly bars. The darts league is a yearlong organization with two leagues – the winter which plays for 27 weeks and the summer which plays for 14 weeks. The organization has bylaws to govern the teams and rely on the National Dart Association for guidance on rules and scoring. More information can be found on the league’s website as it becomes available. The Winter League Tournament will be held April 28 at Q Bar with the first dart being thrown at 6:30p. (www.mycedl.com)
Ohio Splash
Since its inception in 1997, Ohio Splash has been an International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA) affiliate. Splash’s inclusive team rapport attracts both men and women in their 20s through 60s that are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight. With several pools in and around Columbus, people from all over are encouraged to join. Ohio Splash holds three coached practices every week, which anyone can attend. One must register online with U.S. Masters Swimming in order to attend practices, as well as fill out registration forms that can be obtained from Ohio Splash’s website. Dues can be given to the coach or practice leader and are $7 per practice, $30 per month or $75 per quarter. More information can be found at www.ohiosplash.org.
Columbus Gay Bowling
Last year, Columbus’s gay bowling league held “Comic.” With more than 430 bowling participants, Comic became one of the largest LGBT bowling tournaments in the country. Current leagues “Wednesday Night Trio” and “Hump II League” are now underway. Information about joining can be obtained by calling 614.276.3185 or by visiting www.gaybowling.net.
Ohio Mayhem
Part of Gay Hockey Ohio, Ohio Mayhem is the only LGBT ice hockey team in the state. Gay Hockey Ohio is a group of players and their fans of all kinds: gay, straight and everything in between. Anyone can play or support the team by attending events or helping with fundraisers. Ohio Mayhem can be seen playing against Chicago’s gay team The Black Wolves after the Blue Jackets game on March 13. $5 of every ticket benefits Stonewall Columbus. Tickets can be purchased through Amber Krill by calling 614.246.4236. More information about Ohio Mayhem can be found at www.gayhockeyohio.com.
Columbus Stompers
Columbus Stompers are a social club for central Ohio’s LGBT community and its allies. Columbus Stompers’ goal is to bring people together through country-western music and dancing in an effort to raise funds to help various community organizations. Columbus Stompers hosts free dance lessons every Thursday at Wall Street Night Club at 8p, followed by social dancing until 11p. Anyone is welcome to join Columbus Stompers by paying a $30 one-year membership fee and filling out the appropriate forms which can be found at www.stompers.org.
Flaggots Ohio
Flaggots Ohio is a colorguard based here in the state’s capital, comprised of members of the LGBT community and the community’s straight friends as well. Flaggots has members from all over Ohio and the Midwest. The group tours throughout the country performing at various events. A few you’ll find them at this year include Dayton, INDY, and Columbus Pride, Bat-N-Rouge Softball Benefit, AIDS Walk 2010 and the Gay Softball World Series Opener. They are currently looking for intermediate and advanced performers. Anyone interested can obtain the membership handbook, a rehearsal schedule, and an expectations manual from their site at www.flaggotsohio.org.
Spin Columbus
Spin Columbus is Columbus’s community-based colorguard. Spin Columbus is an adult, nonprofit guard whose members are there on a volunteer basis. They welcome anyone dedicated to working hard and having fun. Anyone interested in becoming a member can do so by emailing membership@spincolumbus.org. More information can be found on their website at www.spincolumbus.org.
