QMunity – Softball World Series (August 2010)

Home » Features, Qmunity Tidbits » QMunity – Softball World Series (August 2010)

QMunity – Softball World Series (August 2010)

editor / August 3, 2010 / No Comment

Stand Tall. Play Ball.

Welcome to Columbus!

Big Gay Columbus – Out and Sporty!

The City of Columbus is honored to host the “Stand Tall. Play Ball.” 34th Annual Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) from August 16 – 21, 2010, at Lou Berliner Park on the City’s southside. The event has 150 championship teams representing leagues from 37 major U.S. and Canadian Cities. It is the largest Gay Sporting Event ever held in the state of Ohio! With the centralized Midwest location, the convenient layout of playing fields, accommodations, superior arts and nightlife, coupled with the hospitality of our community will certainly bring everyone together for a great week of softball action and fun.

“Columbus has a history of supporting GLBT sporting events and athletes,” said Michael Daniels, co-founder and co-publisher of outlook: columbus magazine, a sponsor of the world series. “This is obviously a huge sports town, with OSU, the Blue Jackets, the Clippers and The Crew,” he adds, “and not only does the GLBT community support all of these teams, the support is reciprocal: all of these teams are supporters of the local GLBT community.”

Community is a very relevant term in Columbus. The city is home to one of the nation’s largest GLBT communities; an estimated 15% of the Columbus metro area is a member of the GLBT community. Add to that the average number of three to four gay allies per GLBT person and that community size swells even more. The average member of the community spends 25% of every dollar and the local economy sees a boost of over 7.5 billion dollars each year! The Columbus Pride event in June had over 195,000 participants during the weekend event and the city turned out in force to cheer the parade along High Street. Columbus contains several districts known for the GLBT lifestyle, including scores of activities, clubs, galleries and way too many fine restaurants.

Both of the home teams, the Columbus Clippers and the Columbus Crew, have home games during the week of the World Series. On Tuesday, August 17, is “outlook Night with the Clippers” sponsored by Outlook Media – a proud sponsor of the 2010 GSWS. Held at the award-winning Huntington Park for AAA Baseball, the Park is the new home of the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A minor league baseball team in the International League currently affiliated with the Cleveland Indians. There’s a block of 1100 tickets available at just $10 each for the game featuring the Columbus Clippers vs. the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Also happening at the Park is City Barbeque Buck-A-Bone Night, a pre-game concert by Jonalee White, and free rally towels for the first 2000 fans in attendance. (After a little softball, a little hardball can be nice). Tickets can be ordered online and picked up at registration or at a Will Call table prior to the game. The Columbus Crew, central Ohio’s Major League Soccer team, will be playing against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, August 21.

The Short North will host the closing block party on the Saturday night of the GSWS, to give you a chance to experience the vibrant GLBT nightlife in Columbus. The Short North has been featured on numerous occasions in the New York Times Travel Magazine. It’s a unique urban neighborhood full of independently owned shops, restaurants, and galleries. One can easily spend several days shopping, eating, and drinking throughout the neighborhood without running out of amusements. Centrally located just north of the downtown (and only a short hop from Berliner Park), the Short North District continues along High Street for a couple of miles, perfect for a long walk on a nice evening. The Arena District is home to the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena and host to another round of nightclubs and restaurants.

Visitors always enjoy a stop at the North Market, central Ohio’s public market since 1876, which features cuisine from around the globe and a variety of vendors. And if you’re into history and architecture you won’t want to miss German Village, an internationally recognized 233-acre historic neighborhood complete with unique shops and restaurants. (Are we sensing a theme here with all the restaurants?). And all of these areas are just a short cab ride or walk from each other. So after a day on the diamonds, let the games begin!

Where are we playing?

The series will be held in historic Berliner Park, located just minutes from Downtown and the Short North at 1300 Deckenbach St. Home to the largest softball complex in the country, women’s, men’s and co-ed teams all play on the park’s 32 fields. Even if you’re not part of an organized league, there are plenty of open fields for spontaneous pickup games. The games have access to the entire 32-diamonds for the GSWS. Teams will have access to practice fields and batting cages starting Sunday the 15th and every day during the week. And three cheers because beer sales have been approved at the park for the very first time!

They are also planning some events at the fields; including the traditional “Legends Game.” This contest will take place during the Championship game, which offers viewers even more opportunity to witness the great talent that will be on display. The Legends Game will take place at Berliner Park on Saturday, August 21st on a field near the championship game. There is an open sign-up to participants at this time. Qualifying participants shall meet one of the following criteria: be in your respective City League Hall of Fame, or in the NAGAAA Hall of Fame, and be a player at least 50 years of age.

And to find your inner Babe Ruth, there’s a home run derby for this year’s Series, which take place at the end of the scheduled games on Thursday. They’ll be using “juiced” balls to make the competition more fun and there will be prizes for the winners. Contestants must use legal ASA bats and provide a pitcher.

Outside of softball, Berliner Park organizes other team sporting events such as a fiercely competitive flag football league. There are team entry fees, but professional officiating is provided for most events. For those who’d rather sit the game out, there are plenty of options available. In addition to sporting events, Lou Berliner offers a picnic area with tables and a pavilion, as well as a trail and wildlife area.

Where are we staying?

For the out-of-towners, or those who just want a getaway, the league has secured some great Host Hotels during the week. The Columbus Renaissance, Residence Inn – Downtown Columbus, Downtown Holiday Inn, Hyatt Regency, and Hyatt Capital Square were selected to host GSWS 2010 teams. Each one of the hotels offers unique benefits: The Renaissance will host two parties on their fabulous pool deck; the Hyatt Regency is close to the restaurants in the Arena District and Short North Arts District; the Residence Inn offers large suites; and the Hyatt Capital Square is next door to the historic Ohio Theater, which will be hosting the Broadway smash-hit Wicked.

All of the hotel choices are downtown and approximately three miles from Berliner Park, easily accessible via cab or COTA bus lines. The hotels are also within walking distance or a very short cab ride to some of our great sponsors and other entertainment choices in Columbus. Between the host hotels, there will be plenty of space for all of our out-of-town visitors and those who just don’t want to go home.

That’s Entertainment!

The Opening Ceremonies will kick off at Genoa Park (333 West Broad St) from 5p to 9p on Monday, August 16.. Marshall McPeek is your Emcee for the evening, which includes performances by headliner Inaya Day, The Touring Cast of Wicked, Conia LaTrice, Justin Utley, Capitol City Pride Band, the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, Columbus Stompers, Flaggots Ohio, Bearvillities and our own Nina West.

Let the Games Begin!

“Put Me In Coach, That Tiara is Mine!”

On August 15 @ 8p, the night before the games begin, organizers are looking for a single representative from each NAGAAA city league to participate in a “CAMP” drag pageant to vie for the title of Miss Gay Softball World Series!” Hosted by Entertainer of the Year 2008-2009 Miss Nina West at Axis, it will truly be the funniest night of the series. The pageant includes a Talent Competition and Evening Field Attire contest. This is traditionally evening wear, it might be fun to see what a lady might walk down the first base line in if all the BIG LIGHTS were on and they were a star! Please send all contestants information to sschisler@unioncafe.com so the lineup can be done and enough staff ready in case you might need some make-up tips, heel repair, or just simply help with a tuck or two!

Columbus Has Got Talent!

Can you sing, dance, or perform sketch comedy? The World Series tradition of hosting a talent show to raise money for local charities continues on the 18th @ 8p at the Renaissance Hotel. The 2010 version will raise funds for the Columbus Aid Task Force and Camp Sunrise; a camp for HIV affected children. Tickets are just $5. Organize your teammates to perform a number for the show. Please email your name, team name, and a brief description of your act to info@clgsa.net. This year’s Talent Show is sponsored by the Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation, which enriches the gay community by linking gifts to today’s needs and tomorrow’s dreams. For more information about the Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation and the Howard T. Short and Burdette Augsburger Scholarship program, visit www.thelegacyfund.org.

Wrap it Up with a Block PARTY!

The weeks’ festivities wrap up with the Short North GLBT Block Party, which is the official closing ceremony for the GSWS on Saturday August 21 from 6p-11p. Columbus ends the week by blocking off High Street from Buttles to Hubbard Streets. The original Dream Girl Jennifer Holiday will headline this historical event. The stage will also feature The Fabulous Johnson Brothers, Nina West (2009 National Entertainer of the Year), Virginia West and more. What a way to wrap up a week of softball, partying and good times.

And all of this has been brought to Columbus by NAGAAA. Created in 1977, NAGAAA is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that promotes amateur sports competition, particularly softball, for all persons regardless of age, sexual orientation or preference. For additional information, please visit their website at

http://www.nagaaasoftball.org.

Outline of Scheduled Events (see map on page 35)

**All games are played at Berliner Park, 1300 Deckenbach Rd

08.13.2010

Welcome Reception for NAGAAA Delegates @ Trafik, 205 N 5^th St

08.14.2010

NAGAAA Summer Meeting @ Renaissance Hotel, 50 N 3^rd St

08.15.2010

8p Miss Gay Softball Pageant @ Axis, 775 N High St

08.16.2010

5p – 9p Opening Ceremonies @ Genoa Park, 303 Broad Ave

9p Host Bar Welcome Parties @ Various locations