2024 NAGAAA CUP

New GSWS Fundraiser Jersey!

The new 2024 GSWS Fundraiser Jersey is now available! This is the official fundraising jersey of the 2024 Las Vegas Gay Softball World Series. The Jersey emblazons the latest GSWS Logo and icons on the sleeves reminiscent of the Las Vegas strip (in iPrideSoftball colors, of course!). Make sure you grab this unique series Jersey before they’re gone! Half of each order will be donated to the Las Vegas GSWS planning fund!

 

2024 NAGAAA CUP

Congratulations to our Champions in the 2024 NAGAAA Cup in Houston, Texas.

A Division – Long Beach UFAKA

B Division – San Francisco Fury

Legends C – Palm Springs Past Our Prime

Legends D – Chicago Legends

Photos from the 2024 NAGAAA Cup can be found HERE.

 

Statement for Transgender, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit Inclusion

On March 31st, we celebrated International Transgender Day of Visibility, we take a moment to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and vibrant lives of transgender individuals. This day is an opportunity to reflect on the historic triumphs, and ongoing systemic, and political challenges of the trans community.

Today, we proudly announce a statement from International Pride Softball reaffirming our stance on Transgender, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit Inclusion. This is more than a statement; it’s a commitment to transcending systemic boundaries for our members, and a testament to resilience, joy, and unyielding authenticity.

To see our statements and watch the continued expansion of International Pride Softball’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, please visit our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion page. 

-April 2024

2024 HALL OF FAME

The NAGAAA Hall of Fame Class of 2024 has been announced! Please congratulate our newest inductees:

Tony Mace,  Washington DC
Dan Haugen, Seattly
Suzie Arnold, Milwaukee / Chicago
Tom Abbas, San Diego
Peter Ho, Palm Springs
Charlie Waters, Tampa
Richard McCraken, Atlanta

iPrideSoftball Brand and Logo Guidance

In an effort to maintain the fidelity of our new brand, we ask that you bring awareness to your teams and membership of the brand guide and brand assets for International Pride Softball. ‘tis the season to get those new team uniforms ordered. Make sure that your teams are only using the correct branding for iPrideSoftball.

You can download the full logos, icons, and branding guide by visiting the web page: Brand Assets – International Pride Softball (ipridesoftball.org)

2024 NAGAAA CUP TEAMS

Check out the 2024 NAGAAA CUP TEAMS! We look forward to seeing you April 19 – 21, 2024.

NAGAAA CUP

Governing Manual Updates

The Governing Manual has been updated as of April 6, 2024 in English, and targeted for release in Spanish and French by April 15, 2024. Below are the high-level changes that you will see in this version of the Governing Manual:

  • Updates to Chapter 400 (now the Player Inclusion Policy (PIP)

  • Addition of our International Pass for the 2024 GSWS in Las Vegas

  • Changes to the GSWS berth allotment for Legends C and Legends D teams

  • Removal of Minimum Berth Requirements

  • Much more…

You can find all changes to the Governing Manual in the change log, as well as all pending changes (Divisional Guidelines and Player Rating Guide table).

You can access the latest version of the GM on the Member City Resources Page.

Committee Corner

Does someone in your league want to volunteer for International Pride Softball?

You can find our committee chairs’ contact information by visiting us here!

Archives

  1. Anyone who wishes to donate GSWS materials, NAGAAA memorabilia, NAGAAA Cup materials, Umpire items, or NAGAAA Hall of Fame items to NAGAAA Archives; please contact archives@ipridesoftball.org.

  2. 50th Anniversary Sub-Committee: We are currently looking for individuals who would like to take part in this sub-committee who would like to contribute their time, effort, and ideas. The 50th anniversary is only 3 years away and we plan to have multiple events leading up to the big celebration. Reach out if you would like to add your talent to this very important milestone in our organization.

Governance

Hall of Fame

  • The Hall of Fame class of 2024 is set to be announced on April 10, 2024. Please keep on the lookout for our announcement and congratulate our newest Hall of Fame members! If you have any questions, please contact Roy Melani at hof@ipridesoftball.org.

IT

  • We are looking to clean up our Microsoft 365 emails and accounts. Some member associations are using the Microsoft365 features utilizing a @nagaaa.org email address. If you are using these features, please confirm by Friday, May 10, 2024, so that I may keep those accounts active.

  • Please continue to inform Andy (secretary@ipridesoftball.org) with delegate or communication changes.

Marketing

  1. We’re looking for hardworking folks to join our committee and help expand our footprint! We’re always looking for Graphic Designers, Bloggers/Writers, Photographers, Web Developers, Videographers, Social Media Gurus (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and YouTube!)

  2. Marketing Committee meets on the Second Tuesday of each month via Teams.

  3. Let us highlight your league! We are looking to showcase your member association for its big anniversary; or successful fundraising event; or other newsworthy achievements!

  4. Please contact marketingchair@ipridesoftball.org or secretary@ipridesoftball.org for more information.

Operations

  1. We’re looking for hardworking, capable and dedicated folks to join our ranks! We will have an increased number of fields to cover and set up, players to check in, meetings to organize, AV services to provide, and support to give to our players and their supporters during this year’s better than ever “All Bets Are On” Las Vegas GSWS!

  2. Operations Committee holds meetings the First Tuesday of each month via Teams.

  3. Please contact operationschair@ipridesoftball.org or operations@ipridesoftball.org.

Sponsorships

Hello delegates, we want to know about your success engaging with your local MLB team. Please provide the details of local MLB team and the details of the partnership to Sam Lehman at partnerships@ipridesoftball.org.

New GSWS Website

The new Gay Softball World Series has been launched! Our goal is to leverage the www.gaysoftballworldseries.com website for all future GSWS events.

If you have any questions, please contact hello@gaysoftballworldseries.com.

April 2024

Gay Softball World Series – Las Vegas

The 2024 GSWS Planning Committee is already hard at work preparing for a world-class event just 6 short months! We would like to introduce the planning committee. Please take a moment to thank all who are dedicating their time to ensuring the 2024 GSWS is one to remember!

  1. Executive Director – Dallas Aldridge (Columbus)
  2. Events Lead – Peter Ho (Palm Springs)
  3. Fields Lead – Dave Mondt (Las Vegas)
  4. Marketing Lead – Tony Mace (Washington, D.C.)
  5. Finance Lead – Vicky Harrison (Palm Springs)
  6. Volunteer Lead – Conard Franz (Las Vegas)
  7. Partnerships Lead – Matt Morgan (Las Vegas)
  8. DEI Lead – Vincent Fuqua (San Francisco)
 

Please also thank Brandon Brown (Dallas), Brandon Woodfork (Dallas), Jeff Lindstrom (Hamilton), Joel Trambley (San Diego), Larry Ruiz (Los Angeles), and Lucas Mariano (Los Angeles) in their supporting member roles in this committee.

-April 2024

LEAGUE HIGHLIGHT

Jonah Newman is a writer, artist, baseball fan, and passionate softball player. His debut graphic novel Out of Left Field, published March 26, is based on his experiences playing baseball and coming of age as a gay teenager. Although his teammates’ casual homophobia compelled him to stay in the closet in high school, he came out in college and has since been thrilled to find a way to continue playing his favorite sport without having to deal with all the homophobia and toxic masculinity: Big Apple Softball League!  Jonah has been playing in BASL since 2018, and every year, he looks forward to his summer Saturdays on Randall’s Island, playing ball and hanging out with teammates and friends.  For more info or to purchase this graphic novel, please visit Out of Left Field – Andrews McMeel Publishing.

The League Highlight section is to showcase and celebrate the successes of our league and membership. If you have a story that you would like to highlight, please contact Andy Rock, secretary@ipridesoftball.org.

-April 2024

Statement in Affirmation of Black Lives

As February comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the rich legacy, triumphs, and ongoing struggles of the Black community. Black History Month is not just a celebration; it’s a solemn reminder of the resilience, contributions, and the relentless pursuit of justice by Black individuals throughout history.

We proudly announce a statement from International Pride Softball reaffirming our support for the Black Lives Matter movement. This is not just a statement; it’s a commitment to actively standing up against systemic racism, inequality, and injustice in all its forms.

To see our statements and watch the continued expansion of International Pride Softball’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, please visit our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion page

-March 2024

Archives

  1. Anyone who wishes to donate GSWS materials, NAGAAA memorabilia, NAGAAA Cup materials, Umpire items, or NAGAAA Hall of Fame items to NAGAAA Archives; please contact archives@ipridesoftball.org.

  2. 50th Anniversary Sub-Committee: We are currently looking for individuals who would like to take part in this sub-committee who would like to contribute their time, effort, and ideas. The 50th anniversary is only 3 years away and we plan to have multiple events leading up to the big celebration. Reach out if you would like to add your talent to this very important milestone in our organization.

-Feb 2024