Registration is still open for one of Philly’s longest-running and largest LGBT sports organizations, which kicks off its season next week.
City of Brotherly Love Softball League officially opens its season April 12, with a new commissioner at the helm. After four years on the board, the last two as commissioner of the competitive division, Kevin Armstrong was recently elected as the new CBLSL commissioner.
CBLSL is open to all, with men’s and women’s competitive divisions and coed recreational divisions. No experience necessary. Games are played in Fairmount Park on Sundays at various times. Cost is $65 for the season, mid-April to mid-July.
Armstrong said his new responsibilities include getting the fields ready for play, which entails acquiring the necessary permits, as well as organizing and planning the Liberty Bell Classic Tournament — the organization’s largest tourney, held every Memorial Day weekend. Armstrong also oversees the registration process and scheduling practices and games.
Among his goals as commissioner, Armstrong hopes to keep participation growing.
“I would say one of my big goals is to expand the league a little bit,” he said. “We have 33 teams this year and approximately 500 players, but I definitely think there is room to add more players to the recreational side.”
Last year, CBLSL successfully added two competitive teams to the roster and came close to adding a 13th recreational team.
“This may be the largest number of teams we have had in a long time,” Armstrong said.
Games are typically played on Sundays and last around an hour, give or take a few minutes. Afterwards, players head to the “Bar of the Week” to relax and rehash the games.
“We’re a league that provides both social and competitive options,” Armstrong said. “We like to think we meet the needs of both sides.”
For the competitive players, the goal is to qualify for the annual Gay Softball World Series tournament. Last year it was held in Dallas and this year will take place Aug. 17-22 in Columbus, Ohio.
Then, there’s the 2015 Liberty Bell Classic, May 22-25, when teams from all around the country will come to Philly for a weekend of play in every division.
Keep up to date with CBLSL happenings, including social events, practices and games, on the league’s Facebook page or at www.cblsl.org.