ABOUT BADGERLAND
Our Mission
The Badgerland Pride Softball is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and supportive alliances social organization structured around the sport of softball and designed to promote and advance the health, social structure, and equality of the Madison, Wisconsin area's LGBTQ+ community.
Why is Badgerland Pride Softball necessary?
LGBTQ+ people regularly face threats of harassment, intimidation, bullying, and violence. This is especially true in the context of sports, where athletes are defined by their strength, gender roles, and competitiveness, rather than their character, dedication to teammates, or commitment to the game. As a result, many LGBTQ+ people feel isolated and fearful of the thought of organized athletics.
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Badgerland Pride Softball seeks to change this dynamic. Badgerland redefines what it means to play sports by providing competitive sports experiences in a supportive and affirming climate that fosters lifelong relationships.
From our humble beginning as a single team in 2002, to the 20+ team, 250+ member 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization we have become today, Badgerland Pride Softball has proven its ability to survive, grow, and devleop our community into a safe and supportive family.
History of Badgerland Pride Softball
From our humble beginnings as a single team in 2002 (with a 0-15 record) to a Recreational Division, Open Competitive Division, and the annual Badgerland Classic Softball Tournament, LGBTQ+ softball in Madison has proven its ability to survive, grow, and develop our community into a family
Badgerland Pride Softball
(2024 – Present)
2024
Badgerland Softball
(2012 – 2024)
2021
2016
2015
2012
SSBL-Madison
(2006 – 2011)
2011
2009
2006
Madison Gay Softball
(2002 – 2005)
2002
The general council adopted the name Badgerland Pride Softball to help increase visibility to the LGBTQIA+ community
After missing a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors reinvigorated the league consolidating play to Sundays, focusing on community building, and brought back a Fall Ball league
The Madison Missfits took 2nd place in the ASANA World Series D-Division in Kansas City, MO. The Badgerland Softball League rebranded a new annual softball tournament called the Badgerland Classic hosted over or around the 4th of July weekend
The Madison Big Cheese took 2nd place in the NAGAAA World Series C-Division in Columbus, OH
SSBL-Madison had been a partner with SSBL-Milwaukee since 2006 working to strengthen and create a self sufficient LGBTQ softball league in Madison, WI. In January, that time had arrived and Badgerland Softball League was created in Madison as its own independent league. Badgerland Softball League offers an Open Recreational League (Monday night social league), Women's Competitive League (Tuesday nights), and Open Competitive League (Sundays) for our players & fans to enjoy
In January, Badgerland Softball League was voted as a new member of NAGAAA (North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance) which allows Badgerland Softball League to send at least one team to the Gay Softball World Series each year. Badgerland Softball League also belongs to ASANA (Amateur Sports Alliance of North America) which allows our league to send at least one team to the Women's Gay and Lesbian World Series each year
SSBL-Madison recognized as the AIDS Network's Outstanding Organization of the Year
SSBL-Madison recognized as OutReach's Organization of the Year
SSBL-Madison was selected to host the 2009 ASANA World Series. The ASANA Softball World Series is the largest annual lesbian single sports event in the United States. Players, coaches, umpires and fans come together for five days of sports competition and social networking
SSBL-Madison was formed during the 2005 off-season. In order to enable the league to grow, the former Madison Gay Softball League organized and joined forces with SSBL-Milwaukee
SSBL-Milwaukee offers Madison almost 30 years of experience in running a Gay Softball League, providing our members with a world-class organization
Madison Gay Softball grew out of the desire to provide the Madison Gay Community with an opportunity to participate in, and grow an appreciation for, the game of softball. What has developed has far exceeded our expectations. Madison Gay Softball has evolved into an institution that has revitalized the Gay Community and enriched the lives of our members, both players and non-players, gay and straight.
History of League Commissioners
Doug Hinderliter
2002 – 2006
Amanda Evenstone
2010 – 2011
Dean Blaser
2019 – Present
Ben Monty
2007 – 2009
Lee Kampa
2012 – 2018
National Partners
Badgerland Softball is a member city of both the North American Gay Amature Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) and the Amature Sports Alliance of North American (ASANA). We help support the mission of these national organizations and participate in the annual World Series tournaments.
