Brian Lopez has only played in one Gay Softball World Series—the 2006 edition, held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
And his team won the D-Division championship that year.
"It is a memory and accomplishment that will live with me forever," he said.
Lopez, 35, who is single and lives in Lakeview, is a Chicago Public Schools teacher. He managed and played outfield for the Jackhammer Pamas during the 2010 Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) season.
"We actually had a pretty good season last year, especially since we were playing in the more competitive C1 Division for the first time," Lopez said. "It was a blast going into almost every game as a kind of underdog and challenging ourselves to play harder. For the season, I believe we ended up somewhere in the middle.
"I think it is an exciting time for Chicago [to be hosting the 2011 Gay Softball World Series] and a great opportunity for us to really show off this great city. I know there is a lot of hard work going into this Series to make it one of the best. Seeing as how our softball league is so large and Chicago is such a great city, I think this puts more pressure on the organization to make sure this is a Series to remember. I have very little doubt that they will not pull it off."
Lopez said all his 2006 series memories are "great," which included a week of games, although that also is a negative, so to speak.
"The physical and emotional toll that [the Series] can take is not really able to be described," Lopez said. "When your team is down, trying to get the momentum back and when your team is doing well, trying to keep that going for a whole week is a big challenge."
But Lopez has three specific series memories that stand out.
First, he received the "game ball" after one Series game from his teammates, which "was an amazing feeling." Next is the last out of the championship game. "I am not a very emotional person, but seeing the team converge on the pitcher's mound in a team celebration and then looking at everyone's families and friends cheering us on, it brought a tear or two to my eye," he said.
And finally, Lopez still recalls the award ceremony, which seemed to last for hours upon hours—and his team was the last one to get its medals and award. "The place was basically cleared out, except for so many of the other Chicago softball teams who stayed all those hours to clap for us as we received our awards. It was a great display of solidarity," he said.
"The series is so special because it brings many different people together and helps create memories and friendships that can help bond a group of people. When you participate in a series, there is such pride in your city. You are out there cheering for all the other players from your city no matter what division they may be [playing] in. You also share an experience with so many people and have the opportunity to expand your friendships with people not only from your own city, but cities across the country."
So what about the 2011 series, which will be held in suburban St. Charles, Schaumburg and Elmhurst, starting on August 29?
"I know I am setting the bar high for the [local] organizing committee, but I am predicting that this [year's] series is going to be incredible," Lopez said. "I also predict that Chicago will place in every division in this Series, if not because of the great talent we have here in the city then because of the fact we can navigate around all the great Chicago traffic and make it to the fields on time."
More about Brian Lopez:
—Favorite baseball team: Chicago White Sox
—Favorite baseball player: Paul Konerko
—Final quote: "I want to encourage people to make it out there to the fields to cheer on and support our teams. Let's show everyone how great our city really is."
The Gay Softball World Series kickoff party will take palce Wed., June 29, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, at 6 p.m.
One of the highlights will be a raffle in which the grand prize is two round-trip tickets to New York to see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert July 24-26, with lodging at the Benjamin Hotel. Other prizes range from $100 Sir Spa massage gift cards to two VIP suite tickets to a Melissa Etheridge concert. To enter the drawing, people have to simply register to volunteer at the World Series.
There is no cover charge for the event. The series will take place Aug. 29-Sept. 3 in Chicago.
