North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance

Last updated

The North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) is a non-profit, international association of gay and lesbian softball leagues. [1] As of 2023, NAGAAA rebranded, and currently doing business as International Pride Softball.

Contents

NAGAAA was founded in 1977 and the first elected Commissioner was Warren Shepell, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It currently has 55 member leagues in the United States and Canada. The current Commissioner is Jeff Sloan.

NAGAAA recognizes seven divisions of play, from the competitive A division through B, C, D and E, plus two Legends Divisions for players age 50 and above. NAGAAA also maintains a player rating system used to evaluate player skill levels to ensure safety and competitive play. While each member city operates independently, NAGAAA membership allows for a consistent framework for operating interleague play during numerous tournaments hosted by member cities and at the two annual NAGAAA hosted tournaments, the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) for all divisions, and the NAGAAA Cup Invitational tournament for teams from A and B divisions and the two Legends divisions. The 2019 GSWS held in Kansas City includes "208 teams and is expected to attract more than 5,000 people." [2] The NAGAAA has grown to more than 3,000 teams and 25,000 participants. [2] The GSWS is the largest annual, LGBTQ, "single-sport, week-long athletic competition in the world." [2]

Prior to 2007, there was also a division for all female teams but the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America was formed from NAGAAA in 2007.

Current member leagues

55 member leagues:

Gay Softball World Series

Each year teams representing these leagues participate in the NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series (GSWS), hosted each year in a different member city.

Each member city is allowed to send (a) an unlimited number of teams in the A and B divisions, (b) up to three team in each of the C, D and E divisions based on the size of the local league, with larger cities allowed more teams, and (c) two teams in each of the Legends C and Legends D divisions. Members cities are encouraged to send at least one team to the GSWS each year.

Future sites for the Gay Softball World Series
2025 - Houston, Texas
2026 - Columbus, Ohio [3]
2027 - San Francisco, California (50th GSWS)

Gay Softball World Series Champions

YearHost CityA Division
Winner
B Division
Winner
C Division
Winner
D Division
Winner
E Division
Winner
Legends Division C
Winner
Legends Division D
Winner
2027San Francisco, CA
2026Columbus, OH
2025 Houston, TX
2024 Las Vegas, NV Phoenix
Charlie's AZ Toros
Seattle
Cascades
Atlanta
Aces
St. Louis
River Rats
Houston
Cub-ees
San Francisco
Hearts of Fury
Ft. Lauderdale
Silverhawks
2023 Twin Cities, MN [4] San Francisco
Fury Unleashed
San Francisco
Sharks
Columbus
Pandas
Ft. Lauderdale
Riptide
Orlando
Liberty Baggers
Palm Springs
Greyhounds
Atlanta
Daddies
2022 Dallas, TX Phoenix
Charlie's AZ Toros
Atlanta
Primetime Elite
Orlando
Liberty
Dallas
Green Sox
Birmingham
Sliders
Orlando
Swag
Washington DC
Big Blue
2021 Columbus, OH Phoenix
Charlie's AZ Toros
Columbus
Grizz
New Orleans
Skittles United
Columbus
Capitals
Columbus
The Columbus Ban'd
Palm Springs
Grayhounds
Orlando
Swag Sportswear
2020Cancelled [5]
2019 Kansas City, MO Phoenix
Charlies
Los Angeles
Rebels
Atlanta
Wet Demons
Dallas
Devils
Atlanta
Chargers
Ft. Lauderdale
Alive & Kicking
Ft. Lauderdale
Silverhawks
2018 Tampa, FL *Orlando
Unicorns
Knoxville
Cyclones /
Orlando
Voltage
Mid-Atlantic
Thunder
Mid-Atlantic
Norfolk Gunners
Houston
Hey Daddy!
Palm Springs
Desert Dogs /
Philadelphia
Triple Play Legends
2017 Portland, OR Palm Springs
Rounders 2.0
Austin
Hot Flash
Twin Cities
Steel
Long Beach
Pegasus D
Dallas
Fossil Fuel
Ft. Lauderdale
Code Blue
2016 Austin, TX Dallas
Texas Force
Los Angeles
Thunder
Kansas City
Cocktails
Phoenix
Saints
New York
Cranky Yankees
2015Columbus, OHHouston
Force
Columbus
Grizzlies
Austin
Outlaws
Tampa
Pitch Slapped
San Diego
Marine Layer
2014Dallas, TXPalm Springs
Rounders 2.0
Atlanta
Show Stoppers
Las Vegas
Grease Monkeys
Los Angeles
Swingers
New York
Cranky Yankees
2013Washington, DCHouston
Force
Boston
Blizzard
Orlando
Fury Unleashed
Mid-Atlantic
Lightning
Southern New England
Cranky Yankees
2012 Twin Cities, MN [6] Atlanta
Sluggers
Long Beach
Rounders 2.0
Tampa
Venom
Seattle
Inferno
Seattle
Strokes
2011Chicago, ILAtlanta
Venom
Boston
Alley Gators
Las Vegas
The Rat Pack
Boston
Good Times
2010Columbus, OH *Los Angeles
Vipers /
Orlando
Force
Dallas
T K O
Austin
Shady Ladies
Boston
Ramrod Machine
2009Milwaukee, WIPhoenix
Toros
Chicago
Spin Cougars
Ft. Lauderdale
Cyclones
Nashville
Players
2008Seattle, WALos Angeles
Vipers
Boston
Crew
Dallas
Woody's Xplosion
Seattle
Atomic
2007Phoenix, AZAtlanta
Venom
Orlando
Force
Memphis
Heat
Atlanta
Wet Demons
2006Ft. Lauderdale, FLLos Angeles
Vipers
Los Angeles
Killer B's
Nashville
Tribe
Chicago
Jackhammer Heat
2005San Diego, CALos Angeles
Vipers
Washington D.C.
Disturbance
Seattle
Blue Sox
Tampa
Titans
2004Dallas, TXAtlanta
Venom
Phoenix
Calamus/IONSZ Crush
Virginia Beach
Evil Empire
Memphis
Barflies
2003Washington, DCLos Angeles
Stray Cats
Seattle
Monarchs
Chicago
Cougar's
Los Angeles
El Dorado Knights
2002Portland, ORLos Angeles
Stray Cats
Ft. Lauderdale
Alibi Demons
Mid-Atlantic
Norfolk Cavaliers
Chicago
Little Dog Properties
2001San Francisco, CALos Angeles
Stray Cats
Los Angeles
Destroyers
Ft. Lauderdale
Chardees Stingrays
2000Toronto, ONLos Angeles
Stray Cats
Boston
Jackhammers
Ft. Lauderdale
Chardees Stingrays
1999Kansas City, MOLos Angeles
Stray Cats
Kansas City
Dixie Belles Sharps
San Francisco
Posse
1998Atlanta, GALos Angeles
Stray Cats
Dallas
Sting
Boston
Southenders
1997San Diego, CALos Angeles
Stray Cats
Twin Cities
Gay 90's Bandits
Toronto
The Crew
1996Twin Cities, MNLos Angeles
Stray Cats
New York
Sunny Day Knights
San Francisco
Murderer's Row
1995Seattle, WALos Angeles
Stray Cats
San Diego
Rich's ACES
Washington D.C.
JR's Gamecocks
1994Nashville, TNLos Angeles
Stray Cats
New York
Dugout
Dallas
JR's
1993Philadelphia, PAMid-Atlantic
Norfolk Outlaws
Seattle
Elite
San Francisco
Aids Foundation Golden Bears
1992Los Angeles, CABoston
Fritz
Philadelphia
Woody's
Atlanta
Ritz Sluggers
1991Boston, MALos Angeles
Griffs
Los Angeles
Blaze
1990Pittsburgh, PASan Francisco
Uncle Bert's Bombers
Philadelphia
Blue Parrot
1989Atlanta, GALos Angeles
Griffs
San Francisco
Galleon
1988Dallas, TXTwin Cities
Cloud 9
New York
Ty's Chelsea Breakers
1987San Francisco, CATwin Cities
Cloud 9
1986New York, NY/New Haven, CTLos Angeles
Slammers
1985Milwaukee, WIHouston
Briar Patch
1984Houston, TXTwin Cities
Gay 90's
1983Chicago, ILChicago
Sidetrack
1982San Francisco, CASan Francisco
Pendulum
1981Toronto, ONLos Angeles
Griffs
1980Los Angeles, CALos Angeles
Griffs
1979Milwaukee, WILos Angeles
Rusty Nail
1978New York, NYLos Angeles
Griffs
1977San Francisco, CASan Francisco
Badland

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay Games</span> Worldwide multi-sport and cultural event

The Gay Games is a worldwide sport and cultural event that promotes acceptance of sexual diversity, featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) athletes, artists and other individuals.

The Women's College World Series (WCWS) is the final portion of the NCAA Division I softball tournament for college softball in the United States. The eight teams of the WCWS play a double-elimination tournament until just two teams remain. These two teams compete in a best-of-three series to determine the Division I WCWS National Champion. Previous WCWS losses do not factor into the best-of-three championship series, and the first team to win two of three games is declared the National Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Association (1902–1997)</span> Defunct baseball class-AAA minor league from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997

The American Association (AA) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated primarily in the Midwestern and South Central United States from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. It was classified as a Triple-A league, which is one grade below Major League Baseball, for most of its existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's Premier Soccer League</span> Womens soccer league

The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is an amateur women's soccer league in the United States.

The Western League was the name of several minor league baseball leagues that operated between 1885 and 1900. These leagues were focused mainly in the Midwestern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Pro Fastpitch</span> American professional womens softball league

National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), formerly the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL), was a professional women's softball league in the United States. The teams battled for the Cowles Cup.

Sports in Minnesota include professional teams in all major sports, Olympic Games contenders and medalists, especially in the Winter Olympics, collegiate teams in major and small-school conferences and associations and active amateur teams and individual sports. The State of Minnesota has a team in all five major professional leagues. Along with professional sports, there are numerous collegiate teams including the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and St. Thomas Tommies in NCAA Division I, as well as many others across the Minnesota public and private colleges and universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palm Springs Stadium</span> Sports venue in Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs Stadium is a stadium in Palm Springs, California. It is primarily used for baseball. It used to be named Angels Stadium and was the home field of the Palm Springs Suns of the Western Baseball League in 1995 and 1996. Palm Springs Stadium is the home of the Palm Springs Power, a collegiate summer baseball team playing in the California Premier Collegiate League. The stadium is also the official home of the Power Summer Collegiate League and the California Winter League (2010). The stadium has a seating capacity of 5,185.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pride Bands Alliance</span> International music organisation

Pride Bands Alliance is an international network of LGBTQ+ and affirming community bands founded in 1982 as the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America. The organization supports local bands by providing a network for communication, hosting annual conferences, and providing the opportunity for members to perform in massed band performances in major events throughout the world.

Portland, Oregon, United States, is home to three major league sports teams — the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association, the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, and the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League. The city also hosts a wide variety of other sports and sporting events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Apple Softball League</span>

The Big Apple Softball League (BASL) is an LGBTQ softball league located in the New York City area. The league is open to all skill levels and abilities, and to all people regardless of race, religion, age, race, religion, gender expression or sexual orientation. The league plays its regular season from late April through early August and holds its playoffs in August. Teams from this league also compete in tournaments in the US and Canada, including the NAGAAA's Gay World Series.

Evansville, Indiana is the home to two minor league professional sports teams and one amateur sports team. The city is also the home to two NCAA collegiate teams, and nine high schools that participate in the Indiana High School Athletic Association. Evansville is also the host to the annual Hoosier Nationals and Demolition City Roller Derby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emporia State Hornets</span> Athletic teams that represent Emporia State University

The Emporia State Hornets are the athletic teams that represent Emporia State University (ESU). The women's basketball and softball teams use the name Lady Hornets. The university's athletic program fields 15 varsity teams in 11 sports all of whom have combined to win 50 conference championships as well as three national championships. Corky the Hornet serves as the mascot representing the teams, and the school colors are black and gold. Emporia State participates in the NCAA Division II and has been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 1991.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other non-heterosexual or non-cisgender (LGBTQ+) community is prevalent within sports across the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports in Ohio</span>

Ohio is home to many professional and college sports teams. The metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus are home to major league professional sports teams in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchester Village Spartans RUFC</span> Rugby team

The Manchester Village Spartans RUFC is Manchester's gay and inclusive rugby union football team based at Sale Sports Club, Manchester.

The Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA) is a non-profit women's softball organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 NCAA Division I softball season</span> College softball in the United States

The 2021 NCAA Division I Softball season, play of college softball in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level, began in February 2021. The season progressed through the regular season, many conference tournaments and championship series, and concluded with the 2021 NCAA Division I softball tournament and 2021 Women's College World Series. The Women's College World Series, consisted of the eight remaining teams in the NCAA Tournament was held in Oklahoma City at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, and ended on June 10, 2021.

References

  1. "Home". North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gay Softball World Series draws 5,000 people to Kansas City". KMBZ FM. September 3, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  3. [https://www.columbussports.org/press-releases/post/2026-gay-softball-world-series-columbus/#:~:text=The%20largest%20annual%20LGBTQ%2B%20single,Softball%20World%20Series%20(GSWS).
  4. Minneapolis Region to Host 2022 Gay Softball World Series | Sports Minneapolis
  5. NAGAAA News | GSWS 2020 Update
  6. NAGAAA 2012 Gay Softball World Series | Lavender Magazine