The Stonewall Kickball league, which was founded four years ago in Washington D.C., is coming to Chicago.
"We believe every person should have the ability to feel comfortable being oneself in organized sports. Our organization will value each player for who they are and what one brings to the league's community," said Patrick Crosson, 25, who lives in Lakeview and serves as the league's commissioner. "We also believe organized communities have the ability and responsibly to support others in need."
That's one of the main hooks to this league.
"Our mission [is] to provide an inclusive, low-cost, high-fun sports organization that is managed as a non-profit with a philanthropic heart," Crosson said. "The original co-founders [of the league] recognized the power we as a community have to help change lives. We have 120 individuals playing a sport because they want to have fun, get to know one another and hopefully make an impact in the community. When you have that many people together, you can make a big difference. I think they realized that impact and wanted to turn that into something good for the community. The DC league has ballooned up to 24 teams with hundreds of players and raises thousands of dollars for their local charity of choice."
The charity-of-choice for the Chicago league is, Fred Says, which supports HIV-positive teenagers.
"We believe Fred Says is the perfect choice for Stonewall Kickball," Crosson said. "The mission of Fred Says is to create a self-sustaining charity that ensures that all HIV-positive teenagers receive the care and services they need to lead healthy and productive lives. As a sporting league, I think we recognize the importance of remaining active and leading healthy lives for everyone. I think the passion and creativity of Fred Says as a whole is really going to mesh well with the passion and activity that the league will grow into. We're going to be able to help achieve some great things together."
The co-ed, predominantly gay league will feature six teams with 20 players each, and run for six weeks on Sunday afternoons, starting Sept. 14, plus playoffs.
"I think a lot of folks get nervous when you ask them to join a sports team because they 'aren't good at sports' ... but really, all we care about is that players come out, have fun, play a little kickball and through it all, give back to the community we're all a part of," Crosson said.
Crosson is an event manager for an association based in Chicago. He has lived locally for about two years, moving to Chicago from D.C.
"I am hoping this league will do what it's done in DC and the many other cities it's in: create a community of friends and teammates who are making a difference in Chicago through kickball," he said.
For more information on the league, including registration info, email chicago@stonewallkickball.org .