America’s Finest City Softball League (AFCSL) is coming up to bat for its 30th season as the Spring season begins in just a month. With a unique mix of serious ball players competing for a chance to play in the Gay Softball World Series as well as social players competing in tiaras and fuzzy leg warmers, the league welcomes everyone in the community to play ball.
“Our league has provided a safe space for the LGBT community to gather and socialize and play softball in a warm and welcoming environment,” says AFCSL Open Division Commis-sioner Brian Burnett, “but we are so much more than a softball league. For 30 years, we’ve been that place where men and women have first come out and embraced who they are, where new residents meet their new San Diego families’ and become involved in the community.”
Founded in 1981 by a group of informal softball players, the league started off as little more than a few people gathering at a field, just off the banks of the San Diego River in Mission Valley, to play exhibition games. Three decades later, AFCSL has hosted two Gay Softball World Series, has more than 30 teams and is one of the largest LGBT sports leagues.
“We are one of the oldest LGBT sporting organizations in the country, if not the world,” Burnett said. “In terms of gay leagues, we are the largest by far. Last season, we had 34 teams, and we have about 500 active participants in all those teams. Then there are another 100 to 150 fans that come out every week just to support the league.”
The AFCSL includes two divisions, an Open (or co-ed) Division and a Women’s Division. Each are then divided into skill-level sub-divisions, including B, C and D divisions.
“One of the remarkable things about the way our team is set up is that we have like-skilled players playing against each other,” said Roman Jimenez, AFCSL Co-Commissioner.
“If you have someone who is a super great player, he or she will not be playing against someone who is just a beginner who is out there just to have fun,” Burnett added.
With the local weather, softball in San Diego is a year round sport. As such, AFCSL hosts its first, more competitive season each year in the Spring, with a more relaxed season conducted each Fall. Burnett says the Spring season is more competitive because teams vie for spots in the Gay Softball World Series, held each summer in various host cities across the country.
“In this league, gay and competitive are not mutually exclusive,” Burnett said about the upcoming season. “In the Spring season, there are some teams that really don’t care about the World Series tournament. They are just out there to play softball and have fun. Then there are teams that are very competitive. They strategize their teams to compete well in the World Series.”
“Any given Sunday, that team of non-competitive misfits can run the table on one of the teams that are geared to compete,” Jimenez said. “It happens every week.”
The Spring season starts March 20, and new players still have several opportunities to join a team. New Player Clinics are Feb. 13, 20, 26 and 27 at the North Park Recreation Center, 4044 Idaho Street. At these recruiting events, coaches and league officials evaluate player skills and form teams.
“There is a misconception about these New Player Clinics. People think they are tryouts. We hate when people say that,” Jimenez said. “A tryout means you may not make it. There is nobody left behind. We encourage people of all levels to come out. If we have enough people come, and we always do, then we will form a new team just for those new people.”
“If you are a very competitive person, you can find a team that will meet your needs. If you are not, then you can find a more social team,” Burnett added. Both Burnett and Jimenez said that groups of friends can even join as a team.
“When we say new players, it ranges from people who might have played some collegiate baseball down to people who may have never picked up a glove before. Both of those and everyone in between can come to the clinic,” Burnett added. “We group them into those B, C and D divisions and where we think they should play.”
Once the teams are organized for the seasons, the league provides a lot of support to ensure a success-ful season.
“We give you all the things that you need to succeed. We give you a coach. We give you guidance every step of the way,” Burnett said. “It’s important to note that once a team is formed, the league takes a hands-off approach at that point … but we definitely help in getting them started.”
League fees include a $500 team fee, covered by a team sponsor. A team can find their own sponsor or the league will provide one for them. Each person on the teams pays a $55 player fee for the season. Players are also responsible for team jerseys, gloves, bats and other supplies. Games are played on Sundays at fields in Poway and Santee.
For more information on the AFCSL, its 30 year anniversary event, or how to join the league, visit their website at afcsl.org. Play ball!
