COMMISSIONER'S LETTER

Amateur Sports Alliance of North America Angela Smith, Commissioner

HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY ASANA!

Welcome Players, Coaches, Managers, Spouses, Partners and Fans to ASANA’s 10th Anniversary World Series. Along with Softball Austin and the ASANA Board, I am happy to be celebrating this milestone event in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas.

It seems hard to believe how far we have come from our first ASANA World Series in Seattle to the present. I remember the first pitch to the last one and how excited everyone was; how happy teams were to win their first ASANA Championship!

Not only has ASANA grown in numbers of players and public recognition of who we are but now it has also grown in terms of sports. I am proud to add ASANA Flag Football to the family for its inaugural World Series Tournament this year.

Two of the greatest things about ASANA are the pride and honor each team has in representing its city and the opportunity to make friends from all over the United States. While the competition is fierce on the field, off the field the time spent with friends new and old is always a highlight of the series.

So whether your ASANA memories are about winning the championship, having fun with friends or finding the love of your life, remember – it all started with a softball, a football and ASANA.

On behalf of the ASANA Board and Softball Austin, thank you for making this a special World Series for us all.

Happy 10th Anniversary Y’all!

Angela “Butterbean” Smith ASANA Commissioner

PLAY LIKE A GIRL!

@CompeteConnie

The Amateur Sports Alliance of North America, better known as ASANA is in Austin this week to hold its annual softball World Series. And the City of Austin is excited and ready to welcome the anticipated 1,500 players, coaches and fans who are here to play and have fun! This year marks ASANA’s tenth anniversary of its World Series. Adding to that excitement this year is the introduction of flag football as a new ASANA sport.

Women’s sports have never carried the same cachet as men’s sports, especially in recreational sports circles. To tell a man he “plays like a girl” is meant as the ultimate jibe. There’s just one problem with that, fellows – you’ve never seen the ASANA women play!

ASANA has come a long way over the last ten years and adding additional sports to the ASANA schedule is just one of the new directions the group’s founding women had envisioned. As the women gather in Austin this year, whether it’s softball or flag football they’re playing or officiating, or if they’re cheering on friends and loved ones, you can be sure they’re showing the world what it really means to “play like a girl!”

Keep Smiling,

Connie Wardman, M.A., SDL Editor-in-Chief connie@competenetwork.com

COMPETE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Connie Wardman • connie@competenetwork.com

PUBLISHERS Eric Carlyle • eric@competenetwork.com Patrick Gamble • patrick@competenetwork.com

This special issue of Compete was created in partnership with ASANA. If your organization produces or hosts a run, tournament, sports festival, awards ceremony or other type of event, please contact Compete today to find out how we can partner to produce a high-quality issue unique to your organization and its special events. Send us an email at: publications@competenetwork.com

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Steve Adler, Mayor

DEAR ASANA TEAMS AND FANS:

As Mayor of Austin, it is my pleasure to welcome the 2017 ASANA Softball World Series. We are incredibly honored to host the 10th annual tournament. The Austin Parks Department and the Austin Sports Commission have been working hard to make this year’s event the best ever for the teams, their coaches and managers, and the fans.

The City of Austin is one of the most progressive, liberal and considered one of America’s “gay-friendliest cities.” We are a proud supporter of LGBTQ-based events, whether they be athletic events or otherwise. Austin has a long history of diversity and inclusiveness and we are honored to host a group known for its efforts to celebrate and support the LGBTQ community.

While you are here for the games, we encourage you to enjoy the many offerings of Austin’s communities and neighborhoods. Explore South Congress, paddle board on Lady Bird Lake, have a run along one of our many hike and bike trails, sample some of Austin’s excellent downtown restaurants and enjoy the 4th Street nightlife. Above all, take a moment to meet and get to know our biggest asset—the warm and friendly people of Austin.

Home to Whole Foods, Dell Technologies and Tito’s Vodka, to name a few, Austin is full of many unique and unforgettable experiences that will appeal to everyone. If you are a history buff, the historic state capitol building is a must see. For baseball fans, the Round Rock Express games are very exciting as are the University of Texas Longhorn baseball games. Cool off in the spring-fed Barton Springs pool at Zilker Park. Above all, get out and explore the city.

Major events such as the ASANA Softball World Series cannot take place without the tireless efforts of an army of volunteers. I would like to personally thank the volunteers helping run this event from many of our LGBTQ non-profit organizations. The coalition of volunteers who have donated their valuable time are an example of why we are all proud of Austin.

On behalf of the City of Austin,

Steve Adler Mayor

ASANA – DOING IT OUR WAY

THE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT

sports diversity is that it supports not only diversity in sports, it also supports equality, inclusion and the ability to create teams and leagues that have meaning for the people who choose to play on them. To the benefit of all, it’s never a one-size-fits-all requirement.

ASANA, the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America grew out of the women’s division of NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance which had its own separate board. While some large national and international sports organizations were losing membership, both the men’s and women’s divisions of NAGAAA continued to grow. In fact, the organization as a whole grew so large that it became more difficult to find cities and fields large enough to accommodate everyone.

By 2007 the women’s division decided to form its own identity and established ASANA with the express purpose of heading in a new direction. A large part of needing to focus only on women athletes left room for innovation. By 2008 ASANA was ready to hold its first World Series in Seattle, co-hosted with NAGAAA. And now, 10

years later, the league has implemented an innovation that was an original part of the founding plan – adding additional sports. This year flag football is joining the lineup.

Another change for the new league was that it focused more on fellowship, an important element for the women athletes. Whether it’s done at a bar, restaurant or field, the opportunity to hang out and visit over a cold brew is an important element of ASANA

events. And with the advent of same-sex marriage, a growing number of families with children have become the new normal for the league. It’s also prompted a lower-key approach to holding a tournament – less time and money spent on pomp and circumstance.

So enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones at this 10th Anniversary World Series. And appreciate the fact that ASANA women are doing sports their way!