They come to the lakefront fields from Indiana and from numerous Chicago suburbs, such as Lisle, Gurnee and Oak Park. Of course, most are Chicagoans, living in Andersonville, Rogers Park and elsewhere. They come for the friendship, camaraderie and competition, plus the weekly BBQs, held near the Lakeview fields that close to 700 women have called home on Sundays over the past few months during the annual Chicago MSA women's softball season, a 10-game regular-season that features crazy characters ( on all teams ) and kooky team names.
'The season has been going very, very well,' said Nancy MacKenzie, the league commissioner, known to all as simply, 'Mac.'
'The weather has been great this year, though a bit hot and dry at times. We've only had one rainout, unlike about four or five last year.'
Mac, an Edgewater resident, has been the women's commissioner for five years, and helped the sport grow from 26 teams to 39 this summer. She's part of a five-person Board of Directors that includes Kelly Schaefer, Sue Duff, Denise Robinson and Kathy Mueller.
There are four divisions, starting with six teams that compete in C2 and 11 in C1. There are 14 B-teams and 8 top-tier A-teams.
'A lot of the growth can be attributed to the fact that we went to the Board format, so we're more able to provide customer service ( to the players ) and, thus, just a better experience for everyone.'
Customer service in softball?
Sure, Mac said. That could be settling protests or equipment issues, handling lost and found, and helping to market women's events. For instance, the Spin Fusion A-level team held a fundraiser last week, hoping to raise funds for its August trip to the Gay Softball World Series. And then there was the time earlier this spring when the women's group held a fundraiser for a league player with cancer. They raised $6,000 in four hours, and about 12 players even shaved a crew cut 'do to help show their support.
'There's a real sense of community, family within the women's softball community,' said MacKenzie, a Holly, Mich., native who plays ( albeit quite rarely ) for the Big Chick's team that she coaches due to a foot injury she suffered in 1996 and, thus, has only been able to bat sparingly. 'Women's softball is a great opportunity to meet and socialize with people in a different setting than, say, in a bar.'
Women play with 11-inch balls ( as opposed to 12 for the men ) and each game carries a 65-minute time-limit ( 60 for men ) . Teams play once-a-week ( twice for men ) over a near-13-week stretch. The regular-season ended last week and the playoffs are scheduled for July 31 and Aug. 7.
Players on C2 teams are simply playing to have a good time, regardless of the score. Their mindset, at times, is more recreational than other divisions, MacKenzie said. The Shirts Illustrated Sparks are one of the best C2 teams this season, along with the CLSC Uptown Addicts.
Those on C1 teams are slightly more skilled than C2 players, MacKenzie said. Plus, the competitive attitude in C1 games is higher. Spin boasts one of the best C1 teams, along with Scot's Tomcats.
'There are a lot of B teams that could be playing in the A league, but they don't want to, for whatever reason,' she said. 'The fielding is a bit crisper and batters are more apt to be able to place the ball exactly where they want to when hitting.'
The Swinger's are one of the best B-teams, along with Chico's Bail Bonds and Joie Di Vine.
The Nubians and Fusion are battling for A-league bragging rights this season.
The 2005 season has players ranging in age from 18 to 62. There are former college players ( softball and other sports ) and, in the real-world, the women are corporate professionals, lawyers, social workers, teachers, physicians and others.
Vanessa Davis is, perhaps, the most energetic character of the bunch, truly a diamond diva. She's been playing about 25 years, and is a catcher now for Jacqueline's, a B-level team. Oh, yeah, she's also a local singer of swing music.
'I think a lot of people join the league to meet people, and they do, for sure,' MacKenzie said. No experience is necessary.
Chicago has the largest membership of all women's associations in the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance ( NAGAAA ) , which serves as the national governing body. NAGAAA runs the annual Gay Softball World Series, to be held Aug. 15-20 in San Diego.
'A lot of people are astonished that we're so big, especially since a lot of city's memberships are going down and actually struggling to stay afloat,' MacKenzie said.
Chicago is sending three women's teams to the World Series, though two more could have gone. Last year, four participated. 'I'm satisfied three teams are going, but I wish it was more,' MacKenzie said.
The Chicago entrees this year are: Nubians, led by left fielder Denise Robinson; Spin Fusion, led by left fielder Heather Tang; and Star Gaze Crush, anchored by manager Traci Fonville.
The Chicago women's softball crew also will be well-represented next summer in the Gay Games. MacKenzie predicted 10 or more local teams will participate, with about 150 total local women or more.
'I'd like to see as many individuals and teams get involved with the Gay Games as possible. I played in the '94 Gay Games for the first time in New York City, and that experience literally changed my life,' MacKenzie said. 'I think the Gay Games will be huge; they're going to expose Chicago women to a giant tournament with other teams from around the world.'
MacKenzie said many of Chicago's softball women also will participate next summer in tennis, volleyball and golf, and other sports. 'The opportunity to socialize and compete at the Gay Games against women from all over the world is something that you might not be able to do ever again,' said MacKenzie.
MacKenzie said the local league will, likely, expand to at least 40 teams next summer.