New softball league aims to create ‘sense of belonging’ for Hamilton’s LGBTQ community
A new Hamilton sports league is hoping to create a safe space for the city's LGBTQ community one inning at a time.
The Steel City Inclusive Softball Association (SCISA), one of Hamilton's newest sport leagues and the first of its kind in the city, is set to launch this summer after being delayed by the first wave of COVID-19.
Ashley Letts, who handles social media for the group, said the idea for the league was born out of the lack thereof in the city.
Letts, along with Blaine Perry, Jeff Lindstrom and Rich Sullivan, all used to play in different LGBTQ softball leagues in separate cities. All had crossed paths at one point or another, with life eventually bringing all four of them to Hamilton.
Although, one thing was missing: a league of their own.
Playing in (LGBTQ) leagues is an atmosphere like nothing else," said Letts, who's an ally of the community. We felt like Hamilton could benefit from something like that."
Talks of starting the league began a few years ago but the idea didn't quite materialize until this year. Letts said they would have had enough interest in 2020 for at least four teams, but the pandemic put a pause on its launch.
But with vaccines rolling out and outdoor sports leagues set to make a comeback in step two of the province's reopening plan, the association is ready to go, said Letts.
Hamilton is perfect for it," said Lindstrom, who is commissioner of the league. And the timing is perfect."
Lindstrom said the league plans on hosting games every Sunday once they get into the swing of things, calling Eastwood Park in the city's north end their home field.
More than 100 people have signed up for their first season, which is set to start in early August, according to treasurer Josh Czerniga.
Each team will have 15 players and they're anticipating to have at least eight to 10 teams this summer. Ideally, they're hoping to squeeze in a six- to eight-week season with a few weekends dedicated to playoffs.
For the draft, sports director Perry said people have been encouraged to sign up with a buddy so they can have at least one friend going into the league. The teams will also be assigned based on skill level so it's still competitive, but also fun and safe," he added.
Being an inclusive league, anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to sign up - no matter their identity, ability, body size, race, creed or religion. There is also a special emphasis" placed on the participation of members of the LGBTQ community, according to the league's website.
This league is open for everybody and it's that way on purpose," said Perry, who's also an ally. When we first came to Hamilton, that sense of welcoming and inclusiveness in a softball league didn't feel like it was there."
Their league is aiming to fill that gap, said Letts, while also creating a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community. Lindstrom said it's something that's needed, especially in the tense aftermath of the violence at Hamilton Pride in 2019.
We're hoping that we can be an oasis in a city and really show people what an awesome community it is," said Letts.
They're also hoping to host a space where those who may feel uneasy joining other leagues can give softball a try.
When you join other leagues that don't have that clause or prerequisite, there is always that fear that ... you'll encounter closed-mindedness," said Lindstrom. There is something to be said for the sense of belonging in a league like this."
As for the association's future, membership director Sullivan is hopeful they'll be able to form a league that is both large and competitive enough to travel to other cities in Canada and potentially across North America for tournaments once they're allowed.
We know that Hamilton is going to be the home of the next best inclusive softball league in North America," said Lindstrom. And we're really excited about it."
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com