t|2 l . . BY O riana G reen eather permitting, when hatters step up to the plate in Delta Park during the 2002 Gay Softball World Series, they’ll see postcard views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens in the distance. That picturesque image was a key idea that envoys from the Rose City Soft- hall Association conveyed last month in Tor onto to delegates of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, which voted to hold its annual event in Portland from Aug. 19 to 25, Sounding like a true transplant, Melani says he wanted to bring the event to Oregon to “showcase Portland. When you’re a member of N A G A A A , it’s not required that you host the games, but when you have the facilities, it’s nice to take your turn.” And boy oh girl do we have the brand spanking-new facilities. Two of them, in fact, were completed in the past few years. One venue will be at Delta Park in North Portland, and the other will be the Hillsboro Stadium complex, for a total of 11 softball diamonds. Another reason this is a big deal is that Portland is considerably smaller than cities that 2002 . typically play host to this event, such as Toni Carr, womens division commissioner, was on hand Atlanta and Kansas City, Mo. “It will enhance our stature as a city,” Melani believes. He also for the announcement and thinks the gay community has an opportunity describes the emotional “to make a major impression on the city.” scene. “We just jumped up on Which begs the question: Do thousands of top of each other; it was so exciting— we really wanted it.” beer-guzzling, hard-partying, out-of-towns queer ath Someone not involved letes spending a with amateur softball leagues week mingling might not he able to appreciate with the locals how big a deal this is— for the RCSA create a recipe and for Portland. It was such a big deal that a for trouble? For diligent committee labored for months to pre pare a polished, hourlong presentation touting protests? For spring break-style the merits of Portland and its environs as an confrontations ideal locale for this prestigious event. with police? It was such a big deal that a delegation of 17 people flew to Toronto to make the bid presen Not at all, Melani tation. And it was such a big deal that the group insists. During the six Portland Police even included Todd Wells, Portland Hilton years he’s attended the Bureau Chief Mark Hotel sales manager, and Cathy Kretz of the event, he never has seen Kroeker will play ball Portland Oregon Visitors Association. a problem. In fact, the So why all the fuss to bring some gay bid presentation included a letter from and lesbian softball teams to Port Chief Mark Kroeker stating “the Port land? Money, honey. land Police Bureau will work very Between 2,500 and 3,000 visi hard to ensure a safe, positive and tors will stay for a week in the friendly event.” Rose City, leaving behind $2 mil Toni Carr also has been to many lion to $3 million in cash regis of these series, and she agrees ters. And if all goes accord behavior is not an issue. ing to plan, the RCSA will “Sure, it’s fun to party, but present checks for at least it’s ball— that’s what it is,” $10,000 each to three Port she says emphatically. land charities: Esther’s Melani goes on to say Pantry, Our House and the ^ umpires love to work the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer N A G A A A games because good Foundation. Oh yeah, and it’s one hell sportsmanship is the norm. “We don’t of a party, too! *^ + ^ 0 hassle the umpires over their calls. To me, it’s one of the best gay sporting events in the Hj he visionary behind it all is world,” he explains, adding that he’s formed Roy Melani, who has many lasting friendships through the years. segued from chairman of the bid Pride also figures in the equation. “When committee to chairman of the you are one of the best in the nation, represent event. Back in Pittsburgh, he ing your team in the world series”— he pauses to played on a championship soft- laugh at his own admission—“and when you’re ball team that made it to the gay as competitive as I am, it’s a goal to do well.” world series several times. So In fact, Melani promises that the Portland when he and his partner moved Storm, which finished tied for 17th out of 24 to Portland in the mid-’90s, one teams in the B division at the gay world series of the first things he did was this year, already is planning to crank up its establish the Portland Storm. effort during the next two seasons in preparation Since its inception, it has for the big event. “We’re going to work really placed first every year in the hard to play especially well in 2002,” he pledges. open B division, and this season it even managed a record of 20 o how did representatives from a city wins and no losses— the first known mostly for rain— whose most time an RCSA team ever has famous athlete just might be Tonya Harding— gone undefeated. The Storm also convince hundreds of delegates who never has participated in the gay world even had been to Oregon to pick us? It wasn’t series three times, trips that so simple! fueled a desire to play host to the event. Continued on Page 23 Between 2,500 and 3,000 visitors will stay for a week in the Rose City, leaving behind $2million to million in cash registers. ;X:r ■Hi P H O TO S BY MARTY DAVIS Roy Melani hit it out of the park in Toronto S Roy Melani (left) and Tim Bias (right) signed the contract with Todd Wells of the Hilton . llliiiliii EV ER YB O D Y WINS WHEN THE RCSA SCORES