gaysoftball

In April of 1974, the world's first gay softball league opened in San Francisco at Margaret Hayward Field (now J.P. Lang Field). Charter Members of this historic league were: The Pendulum, Twin Peaks, Midnight Sun, The Mint, Sutter's Mill, The Mistake, Jeff's Gym and Missouri Mule. It was a thrilling first - the bleachers were filled with fans and curious spectators alike, most of whom were transported to the playing field directly from gay bars throughout the city in courtesy buses and motorized cable cars.

During the season, the games were attended by local gay and straight celebrities such as the infamous "Sweet Lips", sponsor of The Kokpit, who formally presented bouquets of roses to the opposing starting pitcher. The first league champion: Twin Peaks (coached by the ever-present Jack "Irene" McGowan) beat the San Francisco Police Dept. Central Station's team 9 - 4 before soon-to-be Mayor George Moscone and thousands of proud gay fans at Margaret Hayward Field. Later that day, one of the highlights of the Castro Street Fair was a raucous victory party at the Twin Peaks Tavern.

Another memorable event was the 2nd Season celebration of the Midnight Sun's victory over the Toad Hall team who had previously beaten them 75 - 2 (no mercy rule). The excitement of their upset victory resulted in the entire team stripping off all their clothing and circling the bases naked ("streaking" was the fad at the time)! Unfortunately, neighborhood residents did not appreciate this and filed complaints with Mayor George Moscone as well as the San Francisco Chronicle's widely-read newspaper columnist, the late Herb Caen. Petitions were signed to stop gay athletes from playing in family areas. Again, meetings were held between the League, represented by Irene, the Mayor's representatives and the Head of Park & Recreation who did not want gay teams on city fields claiming the proximity of youths was dangerous. (Incidently, years later, the same Head of Park & Recreation came out of the closet admitting his homosexuality). Earl Massoni (O.J. Simpson's first football coach) was most supportive of the rights of gay teams to use the city fields. Massoni subsequently appointed Jack "Irene" McGowan as the first, and until this day, the only openly gay member of the City Softball Commission - the governing board of all San Francisco City Softball Leagues.

After the second series of meetings were concluded, and assurances that there would be no more streaking, the way was cleared for gay use of city softball fields. The Community Softball League prospered during the next 3 years combining exciting softball competition and community service. Its activities generated great positive community-wide publicity for the gay community. Among them were police-gay all-star games and exhibitions against traveling Broadway casts such as "Irene" with star Jane Powell in attendance.

In 1977, through the combined efforts of Mark Brown, Everett Hedrick, Jack "Irene" McGowan from San Francisco, and Fred Howell, Richard Diaz and Chuck Dima from New York, the first Gay World Series was staged with the now-Mayor George Moscone throwing out the first ball of the Opening Game. The three out of five game competition between Badlands of SF Community Softball League and Chuck Dima's championship team of New York with Badlands being the victors. In 1978, the competition began to evolve into its present format led by the leaders of Milwaukee, New York and Toronto communities under the auspices of NAGAAA (North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance). Through the years, the Gay World Series has grown into one of the largest, if not the largest, softball tournaments in the world.

However, a difference in philosophy sprung up centering around the inclusion of straight players in the league. There were some that felt there should be a league for gay athletes only. Under the instigation of Ken "Tuffy" Adams, and instrumented by Tony Nemger and the late Tom Vindeed, the Gay Softball League was born.

Despite the fact that the diatrabe between the two points of view became quite heated becoming the subject of both newspaper and radio debate, the two leagues co-existed into the mid 1980's. In fact, there were many joint efforts by the two leagues, including all-star games and championship competition. Eventually, the Community Softball League disolved and the present Gay Softball League became the only gay-oriented league. To the credit of its present leadership, the San Francisco Gay Softball League has once again become an open league enjoying the contributions of both gay and straight friends of our community.

Three major accomplishments were the winning of the San Francisco City "A" Division Championship by Lefty O'Douls consisting equally of gay and straight CSL players; an 18 - 1 victory... pitched by none other than The Renegades' Manager, Jack "Irene" McGowan... by an all-star CSL team over a San Francisco Examiner's sportswriter's team, captained by Rob Morse - popular San Francisco columnist; and the appearance of the 1975 CSL Championship team - The Pendulum Pirates - on the Bay Area portion of the Jerry Lewis Annual Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy 24hour telecast hosted by Ben Davidson, Oakland Raiders stand-out. Despite being assigned the early morning hours of 3am-6am, the gay softballers outstripped all other segments of the telecast by soliciting over $40,000 in pledges from the gay community. Bars all over the city stayed open from 2am-6am serving coffee to patrons who were phoning in pledges.

More photos, programs & official letters from

these early years will appear on these pages soon.

To reprint these pages in part or whole,

please email the authors.

Written by Pablo Berroteran & Jack "Irene" McGowan

JANUARY 28, 2000

The Chief of Police, Walter Scott and his handsome son, Walter Scott Jr., as well as Moscone, arrived at Twin Peaks escorted by a half dozen police patrol cars with flashing lights and screeching sirens to join in the festivities! Later that year, a Gala sit-down dinner celebrating the gays' victory was held at the San Franciscan Hotel with hundreds in attendance.