Twin Cities Hosts North Star Classic Softball Tournament
The softball season went into full swing a few weeks ago, despite a cold start, thanks to Mother Nature. 2011 marks the 33rd year for the Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League, making it likely the most successful GLBT sporting community in the state. With more than 30 teams and nearly 600 players, our local league is also one of the largest in the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) Open Division.
Games are played pretty much every Sunday through the spring and summer. Even if you are not a big sports fan, softball Sundays are a great time to enjoy the outdoors; hang out with friends; meet new ones; and, of course, check out the athletes in their uniforms! Games are played at Northeast Park in Minneapolis.
By the time this issue hits the stands, we’ll be in the last week of the spring softball season. The league divides the summer and fall into three five-week periods, and the first is winding down now. So, you’ve got time to check out the teams Sunday, May 22, before the big tournament the following weekend. After the tournament, play will continue for 10 more weeks, with breaks for Pride Weekend and Fourth of July Weekend.
Regret not getting hooked up to play with a softball team sooner? Well, don’t despair. Some teams may still have open spots available. The local league has multiple levels of competitive play. Teams play in Divisions A through D, which allocate teams based on their competitive standing.
Just go to <www.tcgsl.org> to get more information. The website is a one-stop softball stop. You’ll find everything you need to know about the league, team scores, and standings, plus all sorts of schedules and contact information.
With Memorial Day closing in fast, Twin Cities softball players have something exciting to look forward to, as do the rest of us sports fans. The annual North Star Classic Softball Tournament, held over Memorial Day weekend, will bring more than 50 teams from around the country into our neck of the woods.
The tournament this year will be made up of teams from Divisions B, C, and D. Teams are already registered from Boston, Chicago, LA, Milwaukee, and even Toronto. For female softball players and fans, plans are to offer a women’s division, if enough teams are interested.
The tournament is played at the Lexington-Diffley fields in Eagan. Food and drink will be available. This major highlight of the season is a really fun time for sports fans and athletes alike.
Mayhem Will Compete in Seattle
The Mayhem Rugby Football Club will be flying to Seattle over Memorial Day weekend to compete in what amounts to their national league playoffs. Several GLBT rugby teams from across the country will be competing for hardware. Last year, the Mayhem won their first trophy ever, coming in second place in their division. The standings from this tournament largely affect the division the team will play in during the world cup of gay rugby, the Bingham Cup, in Manchester, England, in 2012. The Seattle trip will cap off the rugby team’s spring season, which featured the most new players in the team’s history. Curious about playing? Be on the lookout for summer touch rugby info. Follow the team on Facebook, and check out www.mayhemrfc.com. Good luck, Mayhem!
