Summer sports aren’t over but it’s a slow time for Philly’s gay sports scene, for sure. But before we preview some late-summer, early-fall events, here’s something fun to occupy these quieter weeks.
Disc Golf is not just for hippies and geeks any more. It’s not much more exercise than walking, but many people play just to be outdoors, and all you have to do at each “hole” is get a disc into a metal basket. For the experienced player, there are different disc sizes, weights and styles designed for arcs, rolling and other tough situations, but one disc will do for fun.
We’re fortunate to have one of the top-rated in-city courses in the country at Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Club in Fairmount Park, 33rd and Oxford streets, and LGBT disc throwers meet Saturday mornings for group play. Word is if you have some free time on weekdays, the course is very peaceful and you can take your time, but for your first visit you might want to go when it’s a little busier and follow another group so you can see how the course is laid out.
You don’t have to play in Philly. There are nearby disc parks in Tyler State Park in Newtown and at Little Lehigh Parkway in Allentown. So dig out your old disc, buy a new one, text a friend to compete with you and get out and play.
Fall flagging
Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League fall season signup started Aug. 8 on the new phillyflagfootball.com website. These busy players and fundraisers collectively have become Philadelphia’s fastest growing and most-popular sports organization. Due to their success, the number of teams and players is capped at 120, so if you are interested, get on that website soon.
The GPFFL fall skills day begins 10 a.m. Sept. 8 at Columbus Playground in South Philly. If you want to hang out with some of the players mostly undressed, trek up to New Hope for the Hold Onto Summer Pool Party Sept. 9 at The Raven in New Hope. Or even head up Saturday night and stay over; phillyflagfootball.com.
More Gay Games
The Federation of Gay Games recently announced site selection semi-finalists for 2018. For the first time, the list includes participating interest from South America.
The committee sent letters to Amsterdam, Limerick, London, Orlando, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo notifying them they are qualified to bid. The field will be narrowed down to three before the FGG site committee convenes in Cleveland in late 2013 to announce the Gay Games X host city.
Short stops
• Philly Rollergirls compete 6-9 p.m. Aug. 11 at Liacouras Center. This month it’s Liberty Belles vs. DC Rollergirls All-Stars followed by Broad Street Butchers vs. Heavy Metal Hookers; phillyrollergirls.com.
• Gay Day at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is Aug. 12. Some of the proceeds go to Team Philadelphia, the umbrella organization that will help Philly teams and players go to the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland.
• Also Aug. 12, several members of the Philadelphia Frontrunners will participate in the Greater Philadelphia Runners Pentathlon at Carey Stadium and Athletic Complex in Fort Washington. Stop by and cheer them on!
• The 10th annual Gay Community Night at the Phillies is coming Aug. 28 with the Phillies vs. Mets. Group tickets are no longer available, but you can still buy them online and be part of the party! Plus, CBLSL will host a pre-game tailgate party in the Jetro parking lot. It’s $30 for all-you-can-drink beer, -eat food, -play games. Fun starts at 4 p.m.
It’s always a great time of year to get out and play!
If you have a game, tournament, fundraiser or barbecue pool party for Get Out and Play, email [email protected].