Chicago played host to the largest annual LGBT sporting event, the Gay Softball World Series, for the first time since 1983—and Chicago even had a championship team in the five-tiered international tournament, held at three suburban multi-field complexes from Aug. 30-Sept. 3.
The Chicago Sidetrack Classics coasted to a 20-5 championship game victory to claim the inaugural title in the 50-and-over Master's Division at the 35th annual Gay Softball World Series.
The Classics won one game and lost two in pool play, then won three straight for the title. They were the only Chicago team to win a championship.
The series, hosted by the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA), attracted about 150 teams from across the U.S. and Canada, including teams in all divisions from Chicago.
"The 2011 Gay Softball World Series will be remembered as a proud moment in Chicago's rich LGBT sports history," said Chicagoan Jack Neilsen, who serves as the commissioner for the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) open division softball league and was a member of the eight-person Series 2011 Board of Directors.
"The 2011 Gay Softball World Series was one of the pinnacle accomplishments of CMSA's open division softball [league.] We ran a very successful tournament that ran smoothly from the Opening Ceremony through the final out. The national feedback I've received is that everyone was overjoyed with what Chicago presented."
Clearly, the 2011 Gay Softball World Series was the top Chicago LGBT sports event of the year. Here's a look at the top 21 area LGBT sporting moments from 2011:
1. Gay Softball World Series held in Chicago for first time since 1983.
2. The city mourns the death of Christina Santiago and continues to support Alisha Brennon in her recovery from the tragic accident at the Indiana State Fair. On a Sunday after the accident, the CMSA Open Division softball teams, and even its umpires, wore pink in support of Santiago and Brennon, who is a member of the Chicago Force football team.
3. The Chicago Sidetrack Classics, including 70-year-old second baseman John Lewis, win the Master's Division in Gay Softball World Series.
4. Marcia Hill has done just about everything in the local sporting community—from participant to official to CMSA president. She was inducted into the City of Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame in the fall.
5. The Coady Roundball Classic had its largest turnout ever in April for the 21st edition. The largest and longest-running LGBT basketball tournament attracted 35 teams from across the U.S., the same number as last year, but 310 players—up 20 from 2010. Organizers said the event has reached its maximum for the seven courts used over two days. Eight teams from Chicago participated, and local teams were winners in two of the five divisions, and two other Chicago teams were runners-up.
6. The Athletic Alliance of Chicago (AAC) was formed, replacing the Windy City Athletic Association (WCAA).
7. The Chicago Outfit Roller Derby League, of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), formally voted in a policy to allow transgender women skaters to join the league.
8. DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the United States, has its first openly gay student-body president. Anthony Alfano, a senior, played hockey at Huntley High School in the suburbs and is now a member of the Chicago Gay Hockey Association (CGHA).
9. CMSA Open Division Softball has its largest registration ever: 49 teams (up from 45 in 2010).
10. The Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls deal with anti-gay situations.
11. Ben Cohen practices with the Chicago Dragons rugby team during his time in Chicago in conjunction with the Gay Softball World Series.
12. Men's basketball: The largest and longest-running LGBT basketball league joins CMSA.
13. Ride For AIDS Chicago sets records: About $504,000 was raised for the Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) through the two-day, 200-mile bicycle ride—up from $295,000 in 2010. The Ride attracted 299—up from 225 in 2010. The top fund-raising team was Richard's Riders, a 66-member group that raised just under $110,000. The top overall fundraiser was James Sumers, who raised about $16,000.
14. The CGHA hosted the inaugural LGBT ice hockey tournament in Chicago, the Market Days Classic, held in mid-August.
15. The Chicago Women's Rugby Football Clubs celebrates its 35th anniversary.
16. Gay bowler Chuck Jacobson of Chicago rolls his third career 300-game and an 800-series.
17. The Chicago Sky holds inaugural Family Gay Pride Outing.
18. The Chicago Force, led by star lesbian quarterback Sami Grisafe and numerous other lesbians, advance in the playoffs.
19. Team To End AIDS (T2), the endurance-training program of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), expands nationally; delivers six successful events.
20. The Chicago Cubs, among other teams from the mainstream sports world, release an It Gets Better video.
21. The lawsuit involving bisexual softball players against the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association, centered around the 2008 World Series and yet still lingering during the Chicago tournament, is settled.
