The Cell Block-sponsored team that competed this summer in the D2 Division of the predominantly male Open Sunday Softball League of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) was nicknamed the Purple Orphans.
They had purple jerseys and were orphans, er, individuals who simply did not have a team to play for months earlier when the season started.
But, boy, did they gel together.
When the final outs were recorded on the 2012 Open Sunday Softball League Aug. 5, the Purple Orphans were the division champions, defeating the Strip T's in the finals.
"Our story is really cool," Dale Preston wrote on Facebook. "We began our season as the leftover/walk-on/orphans of the league, not knowing anyone and no expectations ... and today we finish as a family and champions amongst other champions within CMSA."
Jack Neilsen, the league commissioner, was the Purple Orphans' coach. Henry Tieu was the assistant.
"Overall, this was another outstanding season for CMSA Open Division Softball," Neilsen said. "Thank you to Mother Nature who allowed us to get our games completed in a timely manner. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this season a success."
Although the gloves, bats and cleats have been put in the closet for most CMSA players, some will be in Minneapolis Aug. 14-18 for the 36th annual Gay Softball World Series, which was held in the Chicago area last year.
The Gay Softball World Series, which the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) is hosting, is the largest annual LGBT sporting event; this year there are 153 teams, two more than last year. There are 2,404 registered players across five divisions (all skill-based except for master's, which is based on age—over 50—only). The top-tiered A Division has 11 teams, followed by B (35), C (53) and D (48).
There are 44 NAGAAA member cities, with Sacramento; Madison, Wis.; and Cleveland joining this year; 41 of the 44 will be represented in Minneapolis. The three member cities/areas not sending teams to the 2012 Series are Toronto, Montreal and Silicon Valley.
As many as 607 games could be played in the Series, depending on what scenarios develop.
The Chicago teams participating in the Series are Chicago Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney Menace (A Division), Chicago Roadhouse 66 Dragons (B), Chicago Sidetrack Blues and Chicago Roscoe's Reapers (C), and Chicago Sidetrack (Master's).
The annual NAGAAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held in conjunction with the Series, will include 12 honorees this year, including two who have played in Chicago: Brett E. Akers and John G. Skoubis.
Here's a look at the championship game results from the Open Sunday Softball League of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA):
B Division
Winner: Roadhouse 66 Dragons
Runner-up: Burke's Angels
C1 Division
Winner: Sidetrack Blues
Runner-up: Lucky Horseshoe Lucky's
C2 Division
Winner: Downtown Wicked
Runner-up: North End Shockers
D1 Division
Winner: Burke's Big Bats
Runner-up: Brogan Donovan North End
D2 Division
Winner: Cell Block Purple Orphans
Runner-up: Strip T's
