Just when you start to think that softball is the only game in town, the competitions heat up and our out athletes show other cities, states and countries what’s up. The Fins Aquatic Club hit the skies and the waters to compete in two competitions recently. At the Iceland 2012 International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships held at the Laugardalur Sports Centre in Reykjavik, Iceland, the Fins had 20 participants. First-place kudos go to: — Louis Danna: Men (70-74), 50-meter backstroke, 2:09.57 — Merrill Hilf: Women (50-54), 400-meter freestyle, 7:26.07; 800-meter freestyle, 15:16.97; 1,500-meter freestyle, 29:11.32 — Robert Kannegie: Men (55-59), 200-meter freestyle, 2:17.77; 400-meter freestyle, 4:47.37; 800-meter freestyle, 10:05.88 — Keith Robinson: Men (55-59), 1,500-meter freestyle, 22:17:23 — Caroline Stein: Women (40-44), 50-meter backstroke, 41.64; 200-meter backstroke, 3:07.61; 100-meter butterfly 1:25.94; 200-meter butterfly, 3:13.58 Second-place medals went to George Horan and Carolyn Plack. Coming home with a third place were Jon Roman, Patrick Rooney and Robert Ryan. Four other Fins went to the Tournoi International de Paris, May 26-27 in Paris, France, and despite the small number, they were powerful representatives of Philadelphia and the U.S. in the mostly European event. The team’s senior-most swimmer present, Louis Danna, who is in his 70s and still competing, won a gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke. Gold also went to Pat Rooney in the 200-meter breaststroke, John Bishop earned silver medals in the 50-meter backstroke and 100-meter freestyle and Jan Elsasser brought home a bronze in the 50-meter backstroke. More Pride abroad Four members of the Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club — Phil Cochetti, Chris Hatfield, Jamey Mendez and Bob O’Brien — teamed up with members of the Atlanta Bucks as part of the newly created “Gryphucks” to have enough players for a team this year to compete in the Bingham Cup, June 1-3 in Manchester, England. Although they struggled on opening day during the seeding process and again on day two, the Gryphucks pulled out all the stops on the third day in the final games, shutting out the Nashville Grizzlies (22-0) and fought the Chicago Dragons (8-0) to bring home the Shield, the fourth division trophy. The Gryphons won the first Bingham Cup in 2004 in London and also competed in 2006 in New York City and in 2008 in Dublin. The Bingham Cup is the bi-annual world championship of gay and inclusive rugby teams named in honor of San Francisco Fog gay rugby player Mark Bingham, who died on United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. The club hasn’t announced its fall season tryout dates and schedule yet, but you can find the Gryphons on Facebook, call Phil Cochetti at 215-681-3226 or get basic information at www.philadelphiagryphons.org/. Pride Flags The Philadelphia Revolution is the tournament team comprised of players from the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League. In February, they competed in the Sunshine Bowl in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and on Columbus Day weekend they will participate in the National Gay Flag Football League’s Gay Bowl. For the first time, the Revs are fielding two teams in the Chicago Pride Bowl V, which coincides with the Chicago Pride events June 22-24. One of the first games on the first day of competition this year, Philly Revolution Blue is the designated home team against Jacksonville Surge at 8 a.m. Next up, the Philly Revolution Silver start their bid hosting the San Diego Bolts at 9:30 a.m. During the tournament, you can get updates at www.usgsn.com, the tournament home site, where results will be updated via Twitter, and at the GPFFL website, phillyflagfootball.com. Short stops • More tournaments are on deck: The Philadelphia Liberty Belle Invitational bowling tournament takes place June 29-July 1, and the Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association is having its first annual Philadelphia Open Tennis Tournament July 20-22. Details next time! • The Philadelphia Frontrunners are trotting up to Manhattan for the sold-out New York Front Runners Charity 5 Mile Race on June 23. Philadelphia will also represent at the New York City Pride Parade June 24 when Team Philadelphia marches for the first time in the Big Apple. • The movement away from silence, discrimination and homophobia in sports toward a more open LGBT acceptance in athletics is getting a turbo boost at the first Nike LGBT Sports Summit June 14-16 in Portland, Ore. Philadelphian and summit participant Anna Aagenes will have first-hand information for us next time. • Team Philadelphia meets for board and officers elections at 6:30 p.m. June 28, at the William Way Center, 1315 Spruce St. STANDINGS It’s halftime in the City of Brotherly Love Softball League season. Here are the standings, with this weekend off to regroup. Men’s Div B
Knock Outlaws (6-1) Men’s Div C
Tavern on Camac Wolves (8-1)
Tabu Triple Play (6-3)
Philadelphia ICandy (5-4)
Manniax (3-6)
Westbury Fury (3-6)
Bike Stop (0-10) Recreational Div
Homewreckers (7-0)
Wolves Rec (6-1)
Honey Badgers (5-2)
TOC (4-3)
Stogie Joe’s Sluggers (3-4)
Westbury Rec (3-4)
Shots (2-4)
Uncles (2-5)
Storm (1-5)
4Play (1-6) Women’s Div A
Red Stripes (7-1)
Sunday’s Hangover (7-1)
Dirty Martinis (6-4)
Saving Second Base (1-8) Women’s Div B
Dynasty (7-2)
Girls Like Us (6-3)
Ninjas (6-3)
Uglies (5-4) Women’s Div C
TOC Tailgaters (7-2)
Foul Play (6-3)
Flying Monkeys (4-5)
Simon’s 369ers (2-6) Women’s Div D
Institute (3-5)
Sisters (2-6)
Bucket Buds (2-8)
Triple Play (W) (0-10) All of these organizations welcome visitors, fans and cheerleaders. Get out of the house, out of your routine and go to a game. Better yet, get out and play! To submit information for Get Out and Play, email [email protected].