GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES IN TOWN THIS WEEK

Opening Ceremonies at Maier Festival Park

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Street Parade Set for Friday
Citizens Urged to Support Gay Jocks

Special to the Readers of Milwaukeeworld.com 

By Michael Horne

And The Milwaukee World Hound Dog Team

The Gay World Series games will take place this week in Milwaukeeworld as an expected 4,000 players and fans descend on the Beery City for the 33rd Annual North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance tournament.With over 37 leagues represented, it is the world's largest gay sporting event.

Milwaukee beat Chicago for the event in a hotly contested pursuit for the prize. Mayor Tom Barrett's enthusiastic support of the event helped secure the tournament for the home group, the Saturday Softball Beer League.

Milwaukee was one of the founding cities of NAGAAA in 1978, along with San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles and Toronto. This city has always been in the gay athletic major leagues, something the general citizenry will be able to observe over the course of the week. The World Series was held here in 1979. The local group raised over $90,000 for this year's tournament by staffing concession stands at Milwaukee Brewers home games. The SSBL operates from Miller Park's premier location, the stand behind home plate. 

Opening ceremonies will be held tonight, Monday, August 31st, 2009 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park with activities beginning at 5 p.m., culminating with a performance by legendary Disco Diva Thelma Houston. The event is free to players, and only $10 for the public.

Games will be played in Brookfield at Wirth Park,  Doc Gonring in West Bend and Wilson Park in Milwaukee. The parties will be everywhere, and tavernkeepers, restaurateurs and hoteliers are gearing up for some sweet, sweet revenue. The Hilton Hotel downtown is already booked solid for the event. 

On Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009, there will be a talent show at the Pabst Theatre. Friday, September 4th, 2009 will feature a "Street Bash" along S. 2nd Street. Closing ceremonies will be Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at the Harley-Davidson Museum. You can follow the activities on Facebook.

Media coverage is invited.  

NEWS FLASH!!
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 -- 
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Reports this morning that the "Gay Softball World Series [is] Underway." http://www.jsonline.com/business/56723777.html
--Michael Horne



MORE FLASH!!
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 -- 
Chicago will get the 2011 Gay Softball World Series. Columbus, Ohio, was already announced as the 2010 venue. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=22791

--Michael Horne

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Izzy's Restaurant has opened at 2613 W. State St. Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Monday - Friday 8 - 3. Charlie Hausmann owner, Brandon Roethel, chef. 
--Michael Horne