Father Time may have impacted their skills and speed, but certainly not their joy and jubilation.
Rick Tivers, 54, pitched the Chicago Sidetrack Classics to a 20-5 championship game victory on Saturday, Sept. 3 in Schaumburg and the inaugural title in the 50-and-over Master's Division at the 35th annual Gay Softball World Series.
"The team had great defense, great offense, solid pitching. And to be the first Master's Division champion is very, very rewarding," said Tivers, making his World Series debut.
The Classics went 1-2 in pool-play, then won three straight for the title. They were the only Chicago team to capture a championship.
"This is unbelievable," said Tivers, who was married for 18 years (to a woman) and has three kids. "This was amazing. It feels right; it feels authentic; it feels great."
He celebrated with his teammates and his boyfriend.
"The guys were totally supportive of each other. They played wonderfully."
John Lewis was the team's elder statesman at 70.
"It's great that the Master's Division team brought home a championship to Chicago; I'm very happy for them," said Jack Neilsen, part of the eight-person Board of Directors for the local organizing committee.
Cappas, president of the local organizing committee, said having a Chicago team win its division, "was the icing on the cake."
"I'm very happy for that team; they are a great group of guys. They have always represented us well, and I couldn't be happier for them," Cappas said.
The team posed for photos minutes after the final out was recorded, and many players insisted that Sidetrack co-owner Art Johnston and his longtime partner join the team for pictures.
Johnston has attended many past World Series, though he has never played in one. Still, he is a NAGAAA Hall of Fame member.
"This World Series shows the amazing progress of our community. The growth of gay sports, and this event in particular, is an indication of the progress that we as a community have made.
"I went to the World Series in Milwaukee in 1979 to see what it was all about. I came back from there inspired and got involved with gay softball leagues in Chicago—and it changed my life. Like so many, I was the last one chosen [for sports teams] in school; I hated gym class and wanted nothing to do with it.
"However, a lot of my [adult] life has been devoted to helping to provide opportunities for gay kids to play sports, especially softball."
Thanks to team sponsorships by Sidetrack.
"I thought the tournament was very well-run, and am very proud of those who put it on," Johnston said. "I am thrilled that Chicago has hosted the World Series twice and each time there was a champion sponsored by Sidetrack. That's wonderful."
Johnston said there was "no question at all" that he was going to attend the 2011 Series. "This is too important of an event to our community; I wouldn't have missed this for the world.
"For many of the participants, this will be an experience that they will never forget; they will take the memories to their graves; it will be one of the top experiences that they ever have."
