In 1994, as South Florida was just beginning to feel the swells of its newfound popularity for gay and lesbian visitors and residents, attempts began to organize a league where new and emerging transplanted players could rekindle their passions for softball in their new surroundings.
Under the direction of founders George Kessinger, Jim Stork, and the late Bob Hagen, the South Florida Softball League (SFSL) was born.
Modest at first in size while drawing from mostly bartenders and servers, the SFSL would swell to 16 open division teams across three competition levels of play in its first three years. In 1999, a women’s division was added. With the new division came a need for restructuring and the creation of its current organization and name, the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association (SFAAA).
This year, organized gay softball, which is open to the entire LGBTQ community and allies, celebrates its 30th anniversary of playing in Fort Lauderdale.
“SFAAA still continues 30 years later to be a safe space for everyone to enjoy playing softball together with people that become lifelong friends,” SFAAA Commissioner Rocky Bowell says.
Throughout its history, the local organization has been a staple in South Florida as well as on the national gay softball scene. Since 1995, the region has hosted the annual Hurricane Showdown tournament held each year during Thanksgiving weekend. Participation has climbed to around 70 teams and more than 1,000 players from all over the continent.
The league boasts two seasons of play, fall and spring, with the spring season being the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) World Series qualifying season. This year, SFAAA boasts 32 teams and more than 500 players as participants compete for the right to represent their division at the Gay Softball World Series this October in Las Vegas.
SFAAA has planned many things throughout the year to commemorate its 30th anniversary.
The league will host its Opening Weekend this Saturday and Sunday at Mills Pond Park, with exhibition games on Saturday featuring SFAAA Hall of Fame members, past and present Board members, and other longtime players. Opening Day festivities will be held at noon Sunday, with games running from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At noon, play will stop for a half-hour for an opening ceremony to be held.
Join us as we celebrate LGBTQ softball in South Florida with the first pitch of our 30th year.
“We look forward to celebrating this anniversary with the entire community through many fun and exciting events,” Bowell says.