Updated February 10, 2008
Compiled & written by Paul Masterson

SSBL Milwaukee Wins 2009 World Series Bid
Affordability, Experience, Mayor Barrett's Support Key In Winning "Fun & Friends First"-Themed Event

Milwaukee - In the predawn hours of February 1, in a driving snow storm, members of Milwaukee's Saturday Softball League (SSBL) Gay Softball World Series Bid Committee made their way to General Mitchell International Airport for a 6:25am flight to Seattle, Washington. Their itinerary: to attend the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (NAGAAA) World Series Bid Conference. Their mission: to present SSBL's bid and bring the 2009 Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) to Milwaukee.

They accomplished their mission: NAGAAAFest 2009 Gay Softball World Series will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 31 through September 5.

The 2009 GSWS will bring thousands of players, fans and friends to the city. This influx of visitors translates to millions of dollars of economic impact on the local economy and a boon to Milwaukee's reputation as a gay friendly city.

The idea for the 2009 GSWS bid developed in July 2007 when SSBL commissioner Brian Reinkober and Mona Garcia discussed the possibility with VISIT Milwaukee, the city's tourism board. VISIT Milwaukee signed on as a promotional partner. At an August 2007 meeting of SSBL team managers, Reinkober presented the plan to bring the World Series to Milwaukee. The managers agreed to support the bid.

In subsequent public meetings, various team managers and players volunteered to form the bid committee. They discussed and developed details, logistics and a bid presentation concept. It would be a daunting undertaking with only two months time to organize but each individual member brought specific talents and expertise to the table.

The SSBL Gay Softball World Series Committee (GSWSC) consists of co-directors Brian Reinkober and Mona Garcia supported by 14 members divided into nine subcommittees: Kurt Baldwin and Darren Schlenvogt – Opening Ceremony and Closing Celebration; Brian Rochon, Arnie Garcia, Dee Wallace and Peter Nys – Festivities & Special Events; Jeff Weigand and Eric Van Egeren – Hospitality; Tommy Salzsieder – Finance, Hall of Fame; Geoffrey Bishop – Volunteers; Dean Blaser and Paul Masterson – Communications; Dan Nelson – Fields; and Mike Kuharske – Sponsorships.

Local community softball player Maureen Kane, owner of MMK Design, created the NAGAAAFest 2009 GSWS logo. It is emblazoned with a speeding softball, Milwaukee cityscape and motto "Fun & Friends First."

The GSWSC was quick to find sponsors and supporters. Mayor Tom Barrett filmed a special video segment and State representative Tim Carpenter, a former SSBL softball player, sent a letter of support that was featured in the SSBL bid brochure. Local corporations, businesses and individuals confirmed their sponsorships.

NAGAAA representatives visited Milwaukee in January 2008 to inspect fields and venues and meet with the GSWSC. Despite subzero weather, they enjoyed Milwaukee SSBL hospitality and certified the SSBL bid in accordance with NAGAAA criteria.

But the competition, the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) would be formidable.

The Presentation
The CMSA bid presentation was one and a half years in the making. It was crisp, businesslike and buttressed by an extensive city video with a follow up talk by a city tourism official. Their host hotel, the O'Hare Airport Hyatt, would serve as a hub between fields and Boystown entertainment, just 13 miles away. Their fields were picture perfect but had the disadvantage of being located in three different western suburbs.

Milwaukee's strength lay in three areas: urban ease, affordability and experience. With three host hotels located within blocks of each other and only two miles from the Walker's Point bar and entertainment district, major GSWS events within easy walking distance and high quality fields a short drive way, the theme of "urban ease" rang true for the delegates.

"Affordability" resonated with the delegates as well. The Milwaukee hotel costs were 33% below Chicago's. Even the prices at field concession stands were calculated into the equation with Brewtown's $1.50 beer outpricing the Windy's City's $2.50.

Finally, SSBL played the "experience" card. It cited 30 years of gay softball tournament history including two World Series in 1979 and 1985. More impressively, the Dairyland Classic's recent explosive success expanded the event from 14 participating teams in 2002 to 57 in 2007. That alone proved SSBL had the organizational machine to produce the 2009 Gay Softball World Series.

But, beyond the shock and awe of facts and figures, it was the "human" factor that won the delegates' hearts and minds. To open the presentation, Milwaukee icons Ruthie (Mark Hagen) and Velveeta (Brian Rochon) contrived a tumult at the conference room door. The high haired pair burst in looking for the "Chicago Bears' Knitting Convention." The mood was set.

VISIT
Milwaukee representative Vince Pulera, a straight David in a gay lions' den, displayed unabashed comfort while presenting Mayor Tom Barrett's video. The mayor's sincere welcome introduced Brian Reinkober and Mona Garcia who continued the show. They brought up SSBL veterans Ron Burbey, Dan Nelson and Tommy Salzsieder to demonstrate Milwaukee's long tradition and dedication to gay softball as one of NAGAAA's original founding cities.

Recent Milwaukee transplant Australian Geoffrey Bishop and Kurt Baldwin continued with a light-hearted repartee, describing the Milwaukee amenities that would await World Series' players and fans. These included proposed opening ceremonies at Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds) featuring top national entertainment, closing celebrations at the new Harley Davidson Museum and the traditional GSWS Talent Night at the Pabst Theater as well as many other parties, a "Loser Cruise" (for teams knocked out early in the World Series) and the NAGAAA Hall of Fame Museum housed at the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center.

Mike Kuharske then gave a professional run down of the four field complexes. Reinkober wrapped up with a budget review.

Finally, SSBL delivered the coup de grace, a closing video starring Ruthie and Velveeta in a "Lavern & Shirley meets Ab Fab" sequence of skits filmed in Milwaukee bars and the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center. It brought the house down.

And, if that wasn't enough, SSBL's evening reception convinced the NAGAAA delegates that Milwaukee knows how to throw a party. Although the committee fretted over the Wisconsin cheese curds that failed to arrive in time, party guests seemed oblivious to the omission.

The Vote
Early Sunday afternoon, the hotel conference room was packed with NAGAAA board members, 41 voting delegates, their alternates, the two bid committees and public. Votes were collected and the room hushed to hear the votes counted. A simple majority of 21 was needed to win.

The tension mounted as the first dozen votes seesawed between the competitors. More and more Milwaukee votes accrued in succession, then another for Chicago, then several for Milwaukee, edging the total closer to the magic 21.

As Milwaukee's winning 21st vote was called applause broke out and there was a palpable sigh of joy and relief from the SSBL committee. When calm was restored, the vote continued to end 26 – 13 with two abstentions for Milwaukee.

Co-director Mona Garcia wiped tears from her eyes as committee members basked in their victory. Brian Reinkober said, "we are so proud of the cooperative effort that was put in to creating this bid by the GSWS Bid Committee. The Committee's reward was hearing the words"The bid goes to Milwaukee."

Chris Bolten, NAGAAA's Assistant Commissioner, stated he was sure it was in large part Milwaukee's personality and enthusiasm that won the bid.

As an additional bonus, the women's softball organization, the Amateur Softball Alliance of North America (ASANA) awarded Madison the Women's Division World Series 2009. It will take place over the same week as the GSWS. SSBL plans to provide a bus service for friends and fans to shuttle back and forth between the two events.

NAGAAAFest 2009
Now the work begins. Although a year and a half away, the Gay Softball World Series Committee wants to include interested individuals in this venture. For information about how to participate, please contact Mona Garcia via email at monaandtata@aol.com. Watch for the SSBL GSWS website to appear soon.