Hello spring, hello softball!

Hello spring, hello softball!

by Nick Bowen - Special to the SGN Spring is here, and with it comes a new season for the Emerald City Softball League. With Opening Day scheduled for Sunday, April 13, teams are practicing and getting ready for another year of fun in the sun! The league will have over 420 players on 30 teams in the open division this year, and 250 players on 19 teams in the women's division. That's a total of over 670 people playing softball in Seattle this year! Why has Gay Softball grown so much here in Seattle over the last few years? Much of it has to do with the efforts of our Executive Board over the last decade, and the development of a philosophy of having a place for everyone in the league. This has driven the expansion of the league as a place to get outside, make new friends and have fun playing with a great group of people here in the Emerald City. Open division games will be played primarily at the North SeaTac fields (S. 128th St. and 20th Ave. S.) again this year, while the women's fivision will play at the Lower Woodland Complex (Aurora Ave. N. and N. 59th). For details about the league, including game times and field locations, feel free to check out our league website at www.emeraldcitysoftball.org. Each division is further divided by skill level, so there is a place for everyone who wants to play. From the eager beginner just learning the game to the wily veteran looking to hit home runs, the ECSA has a place for everybody. Teams in four different divisions will all vie for the championship crown over the next four months, with a division title giving the winners a chance to play against other teams from across the country in the N.A.G.A.A.A. World Series. This year has extra excitement for our league as the Gay Softball World Series comes to Seattle in August. Because we are hosting the Series and due to the record number of teams in our league, Seattle will qualify 12 teams to play! Seattle returns to the top level of play with an A-division team this year. Newly formed, the open A-division Knights are looking to play hard all year, and be in top form for the series in August. The open B-division has three strong teams looking to make their own mark this year. The open C-division has 12 teams and the competition figures to be tough. The open D-division has a record 14 teams! The D-division is all about fun and camaraderie, but will have their own battles to determine the top team at the end of the year just like all the divisions. The women's division has the returning World Series Champions. The A-division Vibe have a strong core of returning players and are looking to make another run, and repeat as World Series Champions this year! The women's B-division has eight teams ready to slug it out in the newly formed division. The women's C-division has 10 teams ready to go out and have fun. So come out and join us as a player or a fan, and get ready for Seattle to PLAY BALL!