Cabbagetown Group Softball League
| Formation | 1977 |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
| Website | http://www.cgslsoftball.com/ |
The Cabbagetown Group Softball League is a Toronto-based softball league that was officially established in 1977.
History[edit]
The Cabbagetown Group Softball League founding members were Barry Borsellino, Jack Brannigan, and Warren Shepell. The league was officially established in 1977 by a group of softball enthusiasts who had been playing scrub where ever they could find a free softball diamond including the diamond located in Riverdale Park East that they eventually called home since 1975.[1] The League's mission was to provide lesbian, gay and straight people, a place where they could play softball in an open and discrimination free atmosphere, regardless of ability, age, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion.[2] With this mission in mind, the three founding members wanted to keep the league managed internally, free of commercial sponsorship, which they feared could lead to valuing skill and ability over free participation.[3]
When the CGSL started off, it comprised four teams that followed the rules of the Canadian Amateur Softball Association (Softball Canada).[1] In 1978, the league doubled in size, comprising eight teams. That year the CGSL held the first Canada Cup Tournament that included teams from Milwaukee and New York.[3] The tournament became an annual event, which included teams from across Canada and the United States.[3]
In 1978, the CGSL constitution was enacted. In 1980, the constitution was challenged by some league members who proposed to make the league more competitive.[3] This proposition failed and some members left the league to start the Riverdale Softball League.[3] That same year, the CGSL became a founding member of the North American Gay Alliance with Warren Shepell being the first elected Commissioner, later known as the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance which qualified the CGSL to partake in the annual Gay World Series.[3]
In August 1981, the CGSL hosted the 5th Annual Gay World Series.[3]
In 1982, the CGSL decided to allow for commercial sponsorships to help cover the costs of tournament organization.[3]
In 1983, the Riverdale Softball League disbanded and its members joined the Cabbagetown Group Softball League.[3] Shortly after, the league created a competitive and recreational tier to accommodate its players.[3] In the late 1990s, the CGSL created a women's division.[3]
Activities[edit]
In addition to softball, the CGSL also contributes to the Toronto's LGBTQ2+ community through volunteer work and charity events.[2] Past beneficiaries of CGSL include The 519, PWA Foundation, Gilda Fund, SickKids, and the Toronto Police Services Community Toy Drive.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Cabbagetown Group Softball League". The ArQuives. Retrieved March 17, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Cabbagetown Group Softball League History". Cabbagetown Softball Group League. Retrieved March 17, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 "Cabbagetown Group Softball League fonds". Archeion. Retrieved March 17, 2021. Unknown parameter
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