2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION | WWW.COMPETENETWORK.COM
2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION 5 WELCOME
From Angela Smith | ASANA Executive Director
7 FROM THE EDITOR
By Connie Wardman | Editor-In-Chief
8 SMALL BUSINESS – BIG DREAMS! Four ASANA players with small businesses
12 ASANA TEAMS 16 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Phoenix. Handcrafted from start to finish. 619-571-3241
CEO
All mail: PO Box 2756 Scottsdale, AZ 85252
Eric Carlyle, SDLT • eric@competenetwork.com
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Trayer Martinez, SDLT • trayer@competenetwork.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Connie Wardman, SDLT • connie@competenetwork.com
© Copyright 2023 Media Out Loud, LLC All Rights Reserved
Uniting the World Through Sports TM
www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE 3
CONGRATULATIONS Kim Barnes
Dee "Big Daddy" Spain
Amber Longest
Kat Finley
Norfolk
Dallas
San Diego
Kansas City
Jen Bell
Ana Fernandez
Atlanta
Houston
Class of
WELCOME WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Meet me where the sky touches the sea! Welcome everyone to Sunny San Diego! The San Diego host city committee and the ASANA board hope you have the finest time ever. This year we are all excited to host one of our biggest ASANA World Series in some time. Not only is San Diego amazing but we recognize that all of our teams are also amazing. Some teams travel far while some not so far, but we all come together to make this a one-of-a-kind ASANA World Series to remember. San Diego has so many adventurous things to do. You can choose from the San Diego Zoo, Sea World or trying your hand surfing at Mission Beach to name just a few. Another fright or delight – I am told that Old Town is haunted. If you dare, you can discover it for yourself at one of the ghost haunting tours just steps away from the host hotels. If not, you might choose a better spirit to your liking at Gossip Grill. If spirits of any kind are not your thing, then take a visit over to Baja Betty’s in Hillcrest for some on point Mexican food. Either way, you decide. Oh, the things you can think in San Diego! We hope you are thinking about softball, homeruns, 3rd outs and winning the championship. But if not, then you are still at the right place as San Diego’s Geisel Library in La Jolla is home to the largest collection of original Dr. Seuss manuscripts in the world. As they say in San Diego, we hope you play the finest softball in the finest city at the finest ASANA World Series! See you around the ballpark,
ANGELA “BUTTERBEAN” SMITH, SDL (she|her) ASANA Executive Director
www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE 5
6
COMPETE | 2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION
FROM THE EDITOR
ASANA: The Leading Edge for Positive Change I have always said that of all the various tournaments Compete’s worked with over the years, I’ve been most deeply impressed by ASANA and all the individual members I’ve met. Your organization has always been on the leading edge for positive change. Beginning in 1991 as a small female division of NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, at that time a huge organization for queer male softball players from the U.S. and Canada, you launched ASANA in 2007 as an independent all-female softball group and never looked back. You began to show the world what it really meant to “play like a girl!” Along the way you’ve grown into a powerful group that has successfully managed to ride the waves of change by integrating older members with younger members, honoring past traditions while moving the needle forward on inclusivity by accepting all pronouns and the trans community. You launched the Peanut Foundation in 2015 as a non-profit that in addition to scholarships and grants, ASANA members can apply for funds to cover advertisements, membership and any other activity the foundation board members deems necessary. You know how to take care of your own! But more than anything, I admire and fondly remember the members I’ve met and written stories about over the years. Some of them include longtime commissioner Angela Smith (aka Butterbean) and Nina Cole, your treasurer for 25 years. Then there are Kara Gulvas, Alicia “AJ” Johnson, Victoria Rainey and Rachel Sweigart, enthusiastic players who don’t believe their Deafness is a disability or that it can prevent them from playing the game they love; Nikol Piñon-Salvador who plays a mean game of softball with only one arm; legendary twins, Anita and Berna Whiteside who not only play a mean game, they also feed anyone who’s in the park where they play; Bree Shoemaker, a younger face of ASANA; selfconfessed softball junkie Amy Torres, and last but far from least is Jonah Barry, ASANA’s 2022 Rookie of the Year. As always, with lots of hugs and kisses to all,
CONNIE WARDMAN, M.A., SDLT (she|her) Editor-in-Chief
www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE 7
SMALL BUSINESS
– BIG DREAMS! Four ASANA players, each with a small business, were asked the same questions: 1 | Your local league name you play in 2 | Team name and how many ASANA World Series you have attended 3 | Business name and web address 4 | A brief description of what your business does 5 | A short paragraph of why you started your business 6 | A short paragraph of things you do with your business to support the LGBTQ+ community 7 | Anything else we should know about you and your business; example: awards, sponsorships, etc. 8 | Please send me a picture of you either in your softball uniform or something to do with your small business
HERE ARE THEIR ANSWERS!
MONET HAWKINS 1 | Chesapeake & Potomac Softball (CAPS) – Spartas 2 | This is my third World Series 3 | D MV Fresh Property Management – www.airbnb.com/h/dmvfreshproperty 4 | W e are a property management company specializing in short term rentals. 5 | M y fiancé and I started the company to provide a service to the community and build generational wealth. 6 | W e are open about our relationship and sexuality and hope to inspire others and be an example to BIPOC women in the LGBTQIA community.
8
COMPETE | 2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION
LAURA AFOA 1 | San Francisco Gay Softball League (SFGSL) – Defense Dogs 2 | I attended one with Gold Rush. 3 | Afoa Insurance – www.afoainsurance.com 4 | We provide employee benefit support to small businesses as well as individuals, helping them understand their health and welfare benefits provided by their employer or for an individual plan. We are of service to any size company. We specialize in the one-on-one approach with each employee, especially when they have a claim issue or can’t find a provider and don’t understand how to navigate the healthcare system. Our team works on their behalf to get their claim re-processed when receiving a denial as it could be coded incorrectly, etc. Whatever the issue, we are the liaison to relieve their stress. We help them understand the difference between in-network and out-of-network so they don’t receive a bill from the provider that could break them. We go to any lengths to help the member whether it’s the admin staff or the CEO. Healthcare is personal and people need to feel heard and to trust that they’re being taken care of. We partner with the executive staff to bring them all the information they need to make good decisions on their employees’ behalf. Our goal is to build trust with everyone we come across. 5 | I was with corporate for many years and decided to go out on my own to be able to better service the little guy with the large group mentality. In other words, size doesn’t matter. Companies need what they need and we provide it regardless of how big the company is. We are a woman owned, family-run business and we are able to offer personalized service, something which is very important to me.
6 | I have come out to play softball and offer services to anyone who is in need, and I have sponsored teams for years. I have attended a few fundraising events as well. 7 | I grew up in San Francisco and my city means a lot to me. I have been a member of SFGSL for many years and was just nominated SFGSL Sponsor of the Year! My current team is Defense Dogs who are all brand new players and I was asked to pitch for them. This was definitely a humbling experience and also kept it fun! I would’ve attended this year’s World Series as a pickup player, however my husband just underwent a bone marrow transplant and I’m taking care of him presently.
www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE 9
EASTON HENRIKSON 1 | Rose City Softball Association (RCSA) – Oregon Stealth 2 | Five ASANA World Series (2017-2022) 3 | CHANGED BY THE GAME, www.CHANGEDBYTHEGAME.com 4 | CHANGED BY THE GAME is the home of the Know Outs Wristband. Know Outs Wristbands help baseball and softball players, coaches, and fans keep track of the outs each inning so you don’t have to keep asking, “How many outs?” They are waterproof, handmade and customizable in a variety of color combinations, bringing both style and function to the game. 5 | I started the business because I was tired of asking, “How many outs?” during a slow pitch game. I played softball through college and thought, “How have we not solved this problem yet?!” so I started prototyping. After several iterations, I decided that I had a winner and formed CHANGED BY THE GAME in 2021. In June of 2021 I went to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series to promote my business and check it off my bucket list. However, I accidentally launched my business when people wanted to buy them and I sold out of everything I had. But my reason for starting the business goes beyond just keeping track of the outs. Softball has given and taught me so much in life - it has given me confidence, taught me persistence and perseverance, created lasting friendships, provided amazing networking opportunities and allowed me to travel across the country. Seeing the faces of so many young players light up as they saw my product and heard what it did, brought me so much joy knowing that they will continue to play and experience that transformative power of the game. 6 | Representation is so important that I make sure to place a rainbow flag at my booth at every event to make sure every out and questioning player knows that they have a place in this sport. Growing up as the “token” lesbian during high school and college softball where I shrunk myself to fit in, it brings me joy seeing so many young players comfortable enough to be out, and seeing their eyes light up when they see my pride flag and pride wristbands. Playing in the ASANA World Series has given me a family and community I cherish; thus I donate a portion of the proceeds from the Pride Collection back to ASANA every year. I also create custom Know Outs Wristbands for Rose City 10
COMPETE | 2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION
Softball Association’s (RCSA) end of season awards as a way to say thank you for introducing me to the world of queer softball. I am so grateful for RCSA and ASANA for helping me fall back in love with the game of softball! I have been CHANGED BY THE GAME of softball and my mission is to inspire, grow and diversify the community of athletes who have been CHANGED BY THE GAME. As I continue to grow my business and form partnerships, my vision is to support programs and initiatives that create a more diverse, inclusive and equitable sports community where athletes of all backgrounds can thrive and use their passion for sports to create positive change in their communities and beyond. 7 | I haven’t won any awards or sponsorships yet, but through my business I have had the opportunity to meet and hang out with some softball legends,
JULIE TYREE
including Jocelyn Alo, Lauren Chamberlain, Monica Abbott, Sue Enquist, Mike Candrea, Jessica Mendoza, Michelle Smith, Danielle Lawrie and more. I met Lauren Chamberlain (former homerun queen and current commissioner of Women’s Professional Fastpitch) in the parking lot at the Women’s College World Series in 2021 and gave her a Know Outs Wristband. In 2023, I was invited to have a booth at the LC Fan Zone at the Women’s College World Series, including selling Heavy Hitter branded wristbands! My three keys to success: 1) Ask for what you want; they can’t say yes unless you ask (and ask in a different way until they say yes) 2) Act like you’re supposed to be there (confidence can take you a long way) 3) Power by proximity surround yourself with people you admire and position yourself for good things to happen.
1 | Houston Women’s Softball League – Cat-5 2 | T his will be my second ASANA World Series as I just joined the league last year. 3 | S ugar and Iced – www.sugarandiced.com 4 | I create custom cookies and have been in business for 15 years. 5 | I started my business as a side hustle in addition to my job as a nanny. I would create cakes, cupcakes and cookies for the children I cared for and all of their friends. Over time, it transitioned into doing only custom cookies as an additional source of income. My business started off as word of mouth and grew from there. I do love the creative outlet of having a customer’s vision come to light in edible form. 6 | I have donated gift certificates to many LGBTQ softball teams for fundraising and discount all LGBTQ-themed orders and orders placed by members of the community.
2023 ASANA SAN DIEGO PARTICIPATING TEAMS
12
POOL
TEAM NAME
DIVISION
QUALIFYING MEMBER ASSOCIATION OR TOURNAMENT
BA 1 BA 2 BA 3 BA 4 BA 5 BB 1 BB 2 BB 3 BB 4 BB 5
HeartBreakers Ductech/Wreckers/S2N Eve&Eve 2nas Fully Loaded/Berserk Athletics Riders Crowns Legacy Oregon Stealth/All American Athletics Free Agents Team Throttle
B Division B Division B Division B Division B Division B Division B Division B Division B Division B Division
B Division - No Member City B Division - No Member City Alameda Women’s Softball League B Division - No Member City B Division - No Member City Atlanta - Hotlanta Softball League B Division - No Member City B Division - No Member City Minneapolis - Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League Alameda Women’s Softball League
CA 1 CA 2 CA 3 CA 4 CA 5 CA 6 CB 1 CB 2 CB 3 CB 4 CB 5 CB 6 CC 1 CC 2 CC 3
I’d Hit That Pink Ladies Sidewinders Hungover Ninjas Living our Causing Chaos Aberration TC Stars SoHo’s DC Swag Softball Austin Angels SF Soar Fuzion Cleats & Cleavage Aftershock
C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division
San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League Orlando - Central Florida Softball League San Jose Women’s Softball League Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love Softball Kansas City - Heart of America Softball League Austin - Softball Austin San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League Minneapolis - Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League Alameda Women’s Softball League Washington D. C. - Chesapeake & Potomac Softball Austin - Softball Austin San Francisco Gay Softball League Knoxville - KTown Softball League Austin - Softball Austin Dallas - North Texas Women’s Softball Association
COMPETE | 2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION
POOL
TEAM NAME
DIVISION
QUALIFYING MEMBER ASSOCIATION OR TOURNAMENT
CC 4 CC 5 CC 6 CD 1 CD 2* CD 3 CD 4 CD 5
Pitch Black Austin SWAT Nick’s Girls Like Us What Had Happened Was Laid Back Silent Assassins Sea Us Hit
C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division C Division
Dallas - North Texas Women’s Softball Association Austin - Softball Austin Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love Softball Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love Softball San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League Atlanta - Hotlanta Softball League New York - Big Apple Softball League Seattle - Rainbow City Softball
D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division
New York - Big Apple Softball League Alameda Women’s Softball League Long Beach/Orange County-Surf and Sun Softball Hilo - Eve & Eve Softball League San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League Long Beach/Orange County-Surf and Sun Softball San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League San Antonio Pride Softball League Atlanta - Hotlanta Softball League Long Beach/Orange County-Surf and Sun Softball Norfolk - Women’s United Softball Association Kansas City - Heart of America Softball League Los Angeles - GLASA Women’s Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love Softball Long Beach/Orange County-Surf and Sun Softball
D+ A1 NYC Hustle D+ A2 P**** Posse D+ A3 Fusion D+ A4 Eve&Eve D+ A5 Gossip About That D+ A6 Friendly Fire D+ B1 Swingers D+ B2 Pretty Reckless D+ B3 Divas on Dirt D+ B4 Shenaningans D+ B5 ATF (Norfolk Trouble) D+ B6 KCAF D+ C1 Killer B’s D+ C2 Pitches Be Crazy D+ C3 Cleats N Cleavage
www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE 13
TEAMS CONTINUED POOL
14
DIVISION
QUALIFYING MEMBER ASSOCIATION OR TOURNAMENT
D+ C4 Orlando Thunder D+ C5 Forgotten Boardwalk Growlers D+ C6 SF Vixens D+ D1 Not Done Yet D+ D2* Hold My Beer D+ D3 Best Budz D+ D4 Basic Pitches D+ D5 HOTT MESS
TEAM NAME
D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division D+ Division
Orlando - Central Florida Softball League Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love Softball San Francisco Gay Softball League Kansas City - Heart of America Softball League San Francisco Gay Softball League Seattle - Rainbow City Softball Los Angeles - GLASA Women’s Knoxville - KTown Softball League
D A1 D A2 D A3 D A4 D A5 D A6 D B1 D B2 D B3 D B4 D B5 D B6 D C1 D C2 D C3 D C4 D C5 D C6
D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division
Portland - Rose City Softball Association Raleigh - Oak City Softball League San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League Seattle - Rainbow City Softball Long Beach/Orange County-Surf and Sun Softball San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League Kansas City - Heart of America Softball League Long Beach/Orange County-Surf and Sun Softball Las Vegas Gay Softball League Chicago - Metropolitan Sports Association San Jose Women’s Softball League Kansas City - Heart of America Softball League Kansas City - Heart of America Softball League San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League Washington D. C. - Chesapeake & Potomac Softball San Jose Women’s Softball League Long Beach/Orange County-Surf and Sun Softball San Francisco Gay Softball League
Up The Middle MISFITS MBD Good Vibes Footloose Bat Attitude KC Storm Aftershock Beavers 76ers Bad A$$Badgers Captains Alley Katz Bougie DC Crush Tacos ‘n Tequila GoFetch SF Knockouts
COMPETE | 2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION
POOL
TEAM NAME
DIVISION
QUALIFYING MEMBER ASSOCIATION OR TOURNAMENT
D D1 D D2 D D3 D D4 D D5 D D6
Spitting Llamas Gossip About This Tucson Inferno Blazzzing Hot Peppers Gecko’s PHL TBD Tailgators
D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division D Division
San Jose Women’s Softball League San Diego - America’s Finest City Softball League PNC team Orlando - Central Florida Softball League Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love Softball Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love Softball
E4 E2 E3 E 1* E5
Krazy Pitches Spartas Lavender Menace Houston Cat-5 369 Sharks
E Division E Division E Division E Division E Division
Washington D. C. - Chesapeake & Potomac Softball Washington D. C. - Chesapeake & Potomac Softball New York - Big Apple Softball League Houston Women’s Softball League Philadelphia - City of Brotherly Love Softball www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE 15
2023 ASANA SAN DIEGO SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 5pm
SD Wave Game
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 7am - 2pm 3:40pm
Delegate Meeting (working lunch planned) SD Padres vs. Phillies Game
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Location: Nobel Athletic Fields | 8810 Judicial Drive | San Diego, CA 92122 10am - 3pm Player Registration | Bat Check | Skills Challenge | Merchandise Sales 6pm Opening Party Location: Beach House | 3125 Ocean Front Walk | San Diego, CA 92109 Non-player entry fee: $30 includes food and non-alcoholic beverages
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Player Registration (all fields): one hour prior to start of play 7:30 - 9:30am Bat Check: SANTEE and Mt. San Miguel ONLY 8am Pool Play Hall of Fame Dinner 6:30pm Welcome Reception 7pm Dinner and Presentation Location: Fruitcraft Fermentary | 1477 University Avenue | San Diego, CA 92103
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Player Registration (all fields): one hour prior to start of play 7:30 - 9:30am Bat Check: SANTEE and Mt. San Miguel ONLY 8am Pool Play Bracket Play begins Late Arrival Registration (all fields): depending on 1st bracket game
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Late Arrival Registration (all fields): depending on 1st bracket game 8am Bracket Play
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Championship Day – No Gate fee at Santee
Team trophies will be awarded at the Fields, following each championship game.
5pm - 9pm Closing Party Location: Rich’s San Diego | 1051 University Ave | San Diego, CA 92103 Non-player entry fee: $30 includes food and non-alcoholic beverages 16
COMPETE | 2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION
Handcrafted Start to Finish
FIELD INFORMATION
Sportplex Santee: 951 Riverwalk Drive Santee, CA 92071 Sportplex Poway: 12349 McIvers Court Poway, CA 92064 Mt. San Miguel: 2335 Paseo Veracruz Chula Vista, CA 91914
Add some Ooh-La-La to your lobby or bar. Start your public space transformation today.
sales@caphoenixltd.com / 619-571-3241
www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE 17
SAVE THE DATE ASANA MEMPHIS AUGUST 20 – 24, 2024
18
COMPETE | 2023 ASANA SPECIAL EDITION
2023 WOMEN’S
DEI SUMMIT In Partnership with the
OCTOBER 10-11, 2023 STATE FARM STADIUM • GLENDALE, ARIZONA
• Participate in DEI education, panels, and roundtables • Opportunity to earn your SDLT Designation (separate registration required) with an emphasis on Women’s Sports
With LLF Sports and the Women’s Sports Council
• Collaborate and do business with other like-minded individuals • Demonstrate your commitment to women’s sports • Be apart of the change by making a difference in women’s sports
REGISTER ONLINE AT COMPETEDIVERSITYSUMMIT.COM
EVENT SCHEDULE
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 Advocacy Planning Session Women’s Sports Education Networking Happy Hour Open Dinners
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 Women’s Sports Eduction Full Day DEI Education and Networking
– Two-Day Event is $179 Early Bird – Wednesday Only Event $99 Early Bird
John Deffee, SDLT VP of Partnerships | DEI Advocate john.deffee@competediversity.com Trayer Martinez, SDLT Membership Director | DEI Advocate trayer.martinez@competediversity.com
Uniting the World Through SportsTM
www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE 19
ASANA Thanks our Platinum Sponsor