Around The Diamond
New York vs. San Francisco Started Gay World Series
Marc Gofstein
Special to Outsports
The idea for the first Gay Softball World Series was actually quite simple: The best team from New York would play the best team from San Francisco in a best two out of three games for the “Gay World Championship” (at the time, tongue was firmly planted in cheek). That was the idea Everett Hedrick and Fred Howell of the San Francisco Community Softball League (CSL, the precursor to the San Francisco Gay Softball League) took with them when they went to New York in 1977 to meet with Chuck Dima, one of the Commissioners of the Manhattan Community Athletic Association.
Hedrick and Howell presented their plan to Dima, who took it almost immediately to his Board. Without any hesitation or trepidation, the New York teams loved the idea, and the two San Franciscans quickly got on the phone back home to CSL Commissioner Duke Joyce with the joyous news. Commissioner Joyce was ecstatic, but with one exception. He said that it was fine, but that the games needed to be played in San Francisco. Upon hearing that piece of the news, Dima and the other MCAA teams unanimously said fine, because many of them had never been to San Francisco.
And, thus, the Gay Softball World Series was born.
Preparations began immediately in San Francisco. Joyce made it clear that he was not in a position to direct the series, so he enlisted long-time league members Mark Brown and Jack “Irene” McGowen to take the lead. Both men accepted and began to organize committees, which included folks like Hedrick and Howell, Tom Vindeed and many others.
Every gay bar in San Francisco eagerly wanted to participate—The Pendulum, Midnight Sun, Twin Peaks, the Mint, and Badlands (though a much different look from today’s version); and also, bars that are no longer a part of the San Francisco landscape, like The Village Bar, Sutter’s Mill, Kokpit, Toad Hall, the Missouri Mule, and The Mistake.
Now, the exact details of what happened in preparation for, and during, the first Gay World Series vary slightly (depending on who’s telling the story). That’s to be expected. However, there are some details that nearly everyone pretty much all agrees on.
First, there are the two teams. New York was represented by the Ramrod Bar & Grill, coached by Mike Carey, while San Francisco’s team was Badlands, led by Jerry DeFord.
Next, were the basic details. The boys from New York flew to San Francisco where, upon their arrival, they were given the royal treatment. During the week of the series, there were parties and buffets every night at one of the local bars, tours of the city and surrounding areas, and a slew of other activities all leading up to the actual games.
As for the series itself, the games were scheduled at the beginning of Labor Day Weekend and played at Margaret Hayward Field, better known now in San Francisco as Lang Field. The CSL/World Series Committee advertised the event throughout the gay neighborhood, but didn’t know if people would actually show up to watch. On the day of the games, nearly 5,000 people showed up. Every inch of available seating was occupied. Even the grassy hill down the left field line was filled; so much so that you couldn’t even tell there was normally grass there. What a sight. Needless to say, both teams, as well as the two city’s leaders, were elated. In the end, after all the dust had settled and the last out recorded, Badlands from San Francisco had defeated the Ramrod, two games to none.
By all accounts, the first Gay World Series was incredible. For an entire week, San Francisco’s gay community thought about nothing but softball. When it was finally over, every player and participant knew that it was the start of something wonderful.
True, there are many more details and stories than can fit into a single article. But, maybe this has given you a taste of that first series. There are still many of the characters who made that first series successful, like Mark Brown, Jack McGowen and Chuck Dima. Look for them at this year’s series, invite them to grab a drink with you, and savor some of the stories about how it all began. You won’t regret a minute of it.
In fact, when you’re done talking with them, you’ll swear that you, too, were a part of it all.
(reprinted with permission)