by Corey Smith, 2018 BSCA League Commissioner
On Tuesday, March 13, the Bluff City Sports Association (BCSA) will host an ‘interest meeting’ for anyone who wants to become a part of LGBT softball games in Memphis. Players, coaches, or others interested in the league should try to attend.
The league is welcoming with the mission to provide a positive, competitive, safe, and fun environment for the LGBTQ community and it’s allies, both on and off the softball field.
“Experience is not necessary and we will do our best to find you a team that matches your abilities and goals,” said Corey Smith, 2018 BCSA Commissioner.
The Bluff City Sports Association league plays on Sundays at Willow Road Park, 4971 Willow Road, from early April until mid-July. “We try to schedule around holidays, including Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, and when possible, Mother’s and Father’s Day,” Smith said.
Opening Day is April 8. There will be a food truck, live music, and other activities. All are welcome to come have fun, even if not playing.
Ideally, after growing the softball facet of the league, BCSA would like to add other sports and activities for those interested in kickball, and perhaps dodgeball, pool/ darts, or other sports.
FIRST 2018 MEETING
Tues., March 13, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
RP Tracks, 3547 Walker Ave.
Can’t make it by 6:30? It’s OK, Just come before 8 p.m. League members will be there to answer your questions or get you signed up.
Skills Clinic/Meet and Greet at Willow Park, March 24.
Time is TBD
Want more information now?
memphisgaysports@gmail.com
memphisgaysports.com
Instagram: memphisgaysports
Snapchat: memphisgaysport, (no s), or BCSA Memphis
Twitter: MemphisGaySports@BCSAMemphis
Facebook: Bluff City Sports Association
Bluff City Sports Association History
1993 First gay team, the Cruisers played in Memphis Parks league at American Way Park. We won one game. In Sept. of that year we went to Nashville for our first North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance NAGAAA (NAGAAA) tournament.
1994 J-Wag’s Jaguars traveled to Nashville twice a month to play in their league. Nashville sent a team to Memphis once a month to play games here. Players here hosted the Nashville players in their homes for the weekend.
1995 Sent two teams to Nashville to play, Jaguars and Pipeline Pirates. As much as we enjoyed our brothers/sisters in Nashville helping to generate interest in softball, we felt it was time to venture out on our own after that.
1996 BCSA started with 10 teams playing games at Audubon Park.
1997 First tournament, Battle on the Bluff, at James Road complex; 22 teams participated.
1998 Applied for NAGAAA membership, the first Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) was in Atlanta that year. Jaguars finished 8th in C division, Amnesia Haze finished 10th in B division which was an accomplishment since it was our first GSWS.
1999 GSWS in Kansas City 2000 GSWS in Toronto, Canada
2004 The Barflies, sponsored by the Young Avenue Deli, won the “D’’ division at the NAGAAA Softball World Series in Dallas.
2006 Pumping Station Heat finished 2nd in C division in Ft. Lauderdale. It was an all-Tennessee finals as the Heat and Nashville Tribe met with no losses in tournament play with the Heat taking it on the chin both games.
2007 Heat took 1st place in C division in Phoenix and battled through in the finals through a tough bracket to defeat the KC Stars. A women’s team. Down N Dirty, finished 3rd in D division also in Phoenix
2016 The Pumping Station Handballers competed in C Division at the World Series in Austin, Texas.
2017 The Memphis Blues (renamed from the Handballers), sponsored by the Pumping Station, competed in C division at the World Series in Portland, Oregon
2013 Chris Balton was inducted into the NAGAAA Hall of Fame in Washington DC. He is the current Commissioner of NAGAAA.
2017 Chuck Saylor was inducted into the NAGAAA Hall of Fame in Portland, OR.
