The Gay Softball World Series will be, without question, an economic boon for Lakeview, Andersonville and the entire city of Chicago.
The six-day tournament, which starts Aug. 29, will be the largest LGBT sporting event of the year and likely the largest Series ever.
Local organizers are expecting about 175 teams from across the United States and Canada to participate and more than 4,000 attendees, which includes players, their partners, family members and friends.
Last year's Gay World Series had a $6 million economic impact on Columbus, Ohio, the host city. Chicago's economic impact will be greater because the tournament is larger, the city is a more popular destination for vacationers and the tournament ends days before Labor Day, so organizers predict many attendees will stay a few days after the tournament. Some also will arrive early, organizers predict.
Games will be played on multi-field complexes in suburban St. Charles, Schaumburg and Elmhurst.
"Things are coming along well, really well. We're definitely on pace financially, so we're happy with that," said Ted Cappas, president of Chicago's Gay Softball World Series' eight-member Board of Directors. "It's been a long year and a half in terms of fund-raising and building support, but we've had nice, steady progress all the way through, so we're pretty fortunate with that.
Series 2011-Chicago, Inc., the host, held its World Series Summer Kickoff Party June 29 at Sidetrack—two months to the day before the opening ceremony, which will be held in the grand ballroom at Navy Pier, it was announced last week.
The opening ceremony will feature a top-notch talent lineup, including Leslie Jordan, Ben Cohen, Pandora Boxx and hometown favorites Amy Armstrong and Matthew Harvat.
"We can't think of a better venue and more picturesque setting to host the opening ceremony," Cappas said. "The venue is tremendous, a great way to showcase the city. We're very excited about having Ben Cohen involved, and having Leslie Jordan here will be entertaining.
The opening ceremony will carry a $10 suggested donation at the door that will benefit the Ben Cohen "Stand Up" foundation.
"This event is about more than just softball; it's about community, it's about building partnerships and relationships for the LGBT community," Cappas said.
The organizing committee is filled with experience, many of whom, such as Cappas and Joe Cappelletti, had key roles in the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago.
"We don't want this to be just six days of softball and no lasting legacy. We want this World Series to leave a lasting legacy, without question," said Cappas, who will be commuting between the three complexes during the event, making sure things are running smoothly.
Cappas said his biggest worry at this point is the unknown, "and that's the case with any event, regardless of how prepared you are."
He ran the annual Coady Classic for years, the nation's largest annual LGBT basketball tournament, held in Chicago.
Cappas said the pre-Pride vandalism to parade floats, coupled with recent attacks in the Boystown neighborhood, also are a concern. "The last thing you want is, someone to come to our city and have a bad experience," he said.
To that, Cappas confirmed that board members have been meeting with aldermen in Lakeview, Andersonville and Rogers Park, as well as representatives from the mayor's office and police officials. There will be security at all three venues, Cappas said.
The World Series also might be a legal battleground, as it was after the 2008 Series in Seattle.
A federal judge in late May refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by three men who claim they were disqualified from the 2008 Series for not being gay enough.
The men, members of a San Francisco team, say they were questioned in front of a room full of strangers about their sexual preferences after a protest was lodged alleging their team had violated a rule that limited to two the number of heterosexuals on any team.
The three men, who are bisexual, say the questioning was intrusive and allege in the lawsuit that the event's sponsor and its rule violate state anti-discrimination laws. The State of Illinois has similar laws.
U.S. District Judge John Coughenour found that the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (NAGAAA), which sponsors the yearly event, can keep its rule. However, the case is scheduled to go to trial Aug. 1.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco, which had framed it as a push for bisexual rights, backed the lawsuit.
"That is completely a NAGAAA issue. We have nothing to do with that. Chicago and [the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association] will not ask," [about a] player's sexuality, Cappas said.
NAGAAA officials have been unavailable for comment, despite repeated attempts to contact them.
