THE GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES EXPERIENCE
Sections:
Introduction
Host Cities
Current Coaches/Team selection process
History of WESA at GSWS
Introduction
Since 2008, WESA has been a proud member of International Pride Softball. As a member, we are part of a global family and a force for positive change. With over 20,000 members, iPride Softball organizes the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) each year and brings together 56 participating cities and over 5,000 participants and fans. For more about International Pride Softball please visit our page here.
2025 GSWS Update:
As a member of International Pride Softball, WESA provides its members with opportunities to participate in tournaments such as the Gay Softball World Series. As always, it is entirely up to the players to decide when and where they want to travel and play. This has always been the case—members determine for themselves which opportunities they wish to pursue.
Host Cities:
2024 Las Vegas, NV
2025 Houston, TX
2026 Columbus, OH
2027 San Francisco, CA
What to expect at the GSWS
Playing in the Gay Softball World Series is a great opportunity to bond with your fellow WESA members and visit other parts of North America. iPride Softball is fortunate to have member cities that also play host to other major attractions including State Fairs, world-class cuisine, and Major League Baseball teams. Of course, players also make new friends from member leagues from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego, from Hamilton to Ohio. Many WESA members have built life-long friendships and memories at iPride Softball tournaments, including the Gay Softball World Series.
The GSWS is scheduled from Monday to Saturday in a specified week each year in the host city. The week is typically scheduled with games and events each day.
If you have any questions about the Gay Softball World Series, please do not hesitate to contact Ian at membership (at) WESA.net or Seán at commissioner (at) WESA.net.
Click on the Instagram video below from a WESA member from the 2024 GSWS in Las Vegas.
Below is a video from iPride Softball featuring WESA member Dan Richdale from the 2023 GSWS in the Twin Cities here
Limited Edition 2025 Houston GSWS Fundraiser Jersey >> visit site
INTERESTED IN PLAYING IN THE 2025 GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES
GSWS 2025 Manager/Coach Selection Process
(March 21, 2025)
The GSWS process is outlined in the WESA Governing Manual. For more click here.
Have you ever thought about coaching in the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS)? This year the GSWS is in Houston, TX from September 22nd to 27th, 2025. That may seem like a long way away, but the first step is finding coaches.
· One All Association E division team
· One All Association D division team
· One All Association C division team; and
· Legends C and/or D division teams (players must be turning 50 or older in 2024).
Players from any WESA tier may attend: the GSWS division they play in is determined by their NQ, not the WESA tier they participate in. As a coach, you have the authority and responsibility to organize your team, recruit your players, and manage it for the tournament. If coaching one of the GSWS teams WESA is eligible to send interests you, please take note of the following important information:
Important Dates:
April 1: Coaches Expressions of Interest must be submitted to the WESA Commission. See the WESA Governing Manual for details on submitting an expression of interest to coach.
April 15: WESA Commission announces coach selection
Please direct your questions to Ian at membership (at) wesa.net
About Vancouver Teams
2024
As a member of WESA, you are eligible to play on one of the teams travelling to the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) in Las Vegas in 2024 this October. More than 5,000 participants from our sister leagues across North America will come together to compete again for the GSWS. Part of International Pride Softball (iPride), the GSWS is the major LGBT+ sports event of the year in North America.
The rosters for the WESA teams going are 'All Association', which means the teams are made up of members from any team in WESA. GSWS Team members must have played a minimum of ten games in the season (five for Legends). To express interest in being a part of a Vancouver GSWS team in 2024, please use the form HERE.
- E Division Coaching team: Rick DeHart / Sean Hayden
- D Division Coaching team: Jeff Cheng / Tommy Jaw
- C Division Coaching team: Ian Gibson / Peter Haughton
Expenses & Fundraising
Playing in the GSWS can be a memorable experience. And its important to note that all financial expenses incurred by players, and their teams, are theirs to cover. The league does not pay for any expenses. However, to assist the members travelling to the GSWS, the league has arranged for a BBQ fundraiser at Junction Public House, usually held in May. This popular event is a great opportunity to raise money and to support your fellow WESA members as they prepare for representing our league in Las Vegas in October.
To express interest in playing on a Vancouver team at the 2024 GSWS, please use the form to be active on April 15. For more details on the official policy for sending GSWS teams please see the WESA Governing Manual.
To find out more about iPride Softball please visit this page.
WESA at GSWS
2024 GSWS Las Vegas, NV
Above: All players from Vancouver Orcas D, Vancouver Brew Jays D, and Vancouver Brew Jays E with many other Canadian players to celebrate the first-ever All Canada commemorative jersey design for the GSWS (designed by Joel Gordon).
Above: Vancouver flag bearer Dan Julian at the 2024 GSWS Las Vegas Opening Ceremonies.
2023 GSWS Minneaspolis, MN
Above: Vancouver Teams Group Photo of the Vancouver Pumpjack Orcas (E), Vancouver Ehs (D) and Vancouver Brew Jays (C) teams.
Above: Vancouver flag bearer David Wu at the 2023 Twin Cities GSWS Opening Ceremonies.
2022 GSWS Dallas, TX
Above: Vancouver team photo of Vancouver Burly Barber
Above: Vancouver flag bearer Jeff Cheng readying for the 2022 Dallas GSWS Opening Ceremony
2021 GSWS Columbus, OH
Above: Team photo of the Vancouver Brew Jays D at the 2021 Columbus GSWS
Above: Vancouver flag bearer Craig Weckerle at the 2021 Columbus GSWS Opening Ceremony
2019 GSWS Kansas City, MO
Above: Vancouver Teams Group Photo of Vancouver PumpJack Rage (C), Vancouver PumpJack Brew Jays (D), and Vancouver PumpJack Drillers (Masters) all Open Roster teams.
Above: Vancouver flag bearer Andrew Fenton at the 2019 GSWS Kansas City Opening Ceremony
2017 GSWS Portland, OR
Above: Vancouver Teams Group Photo of the Vancouver Numbers (C), Vancouver PumpJack (C), Vancouver Attitude Promo (D), Vancouver Celebrities Nightclub (D), and Vancouver PumpJack Drillers (Masters), and Vancouver Highballers (Masters) teams.
2015 GSWS Columbus, OH
Above: Vancouver Teams Group photo of the Vancouver Celebrities Nightclub (C), Vancouver barrette Salon (D), and Vancouver Fountainhead Pub (D) teams.
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