In 2018, Logan Chinski found a gap in Calgary’s sports scene — there was no softball league for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. Although Apollo, Friends in Sport, had operated weekly drop-in slo-pitch for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community from 1992 to 2015, by the time Chinski moved to the city, it had disbanded.
Chinski had played three seasons in the Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQIA+ league. He made friendships and connections in the community and wanted to bring that experience to Calgary.
Chinski — along with co-founders Troy Gibson and Tom Sloan — created the Calgary Apollo Softball Association (CASA) in 2018. They began with eight teams and an eightweek summer season.
“We’re a 2SLGBTQI+ league, and we know not everyone has had a very positive experience in sports,” says Chinski. “The focus is on fun, safety, inclusivity, and the social atmosphere.”
Now, the league boasts 16 teams and lasts 16 weeks, with expansion coming next season.
“Our registration filled up in seven minutes this year,” says Chinski. “That’s how much people want to play in this league. Next year, we’re planning on going to 18 teams, at least.”
Over 300 players take part in CASA, many of whom have been with the program since it began. The league is all about making lifelong friendships through softball.
For many people, especially those new to sport, joining a league can be intimidating. CASA knows this and does all it can to make sure everyone feels secure.
“Anyone with any kind of background or skill level is welcome to join,” says Chinski. “We really try to ensure folks feel physically and psychologically safe.”
One way CASA fosters its sense of community is through the buddy system. When registering, players can “buddy up” and ensure they get to play with a partner they already know. No one is left alone, which makes socializing and dealing with the fear that comes with sport so much easier.
To guarantee their community grows, teams are formed through a draft. Team captains select players or duos one by one, turn by turn, until everyone is selected. Through this system, players can meet new people every single year, even if they’ve been in the league since 2018.
“We mix up teams every season, so you may play with a number of different folks year after year,” says Chinski. “That’s how we start to build those connections within the community. That helps us be more inclusive.”
But for people to keep coming back, the league also has to be fun — and it is. CASA wants every Wednesday game day to be a blast.
“Wednesdays are pretty vibrant,” says Chinski. “I’ve heard people say, ‘These are my favourite days of every week,’ and they look forward to the league every year.”
Each game day has two 90-minute games back-to-back on each field. Players come not only to play, but to watch other games either before or after their own. The community is so tight-knit each game has its own cheering section full of other players from the league. The post-game is worth looking forward to as well.
“We really promote going to our sponsor bars and restaurants after the game to socialize further,” says Chinski. “The atmosphere is amazing. Lots of laughter, lots of jokes, lots of people connecting with other teams they played against.”
“This is that cross-socialization that we have, where you have connections and friendships from years past that help build even stronger relationships now.”
CASA also works in the community by running social events for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Pride Slam, on the Saturday of Pride weekend, is a chance for anyone and everyone to play some softball and have fun. But the biggest and brightest event is MX CASA, a drag event at one of CASA’s sponsor bars, Twisted Element.
“Most teams will have a volunteer performer who’s never done drag before who gets up on stage and performs,” says Chinski. “They go head-to-head to raise money for charity. This year we raised $17,000 for the Stonewall Recovery Centre.”
From the diamond to drag events, CASA creates a nondiscriminatory space for players. In the sports scene, which hasn’t traditionally been inclusive, the community has its place in the Calgary Apollo Softball Association.
“The whole reason this exists is to support the community,” says Chinski. “Whatever you’re going through, this is a safe space for folks to meet people and be your authentic self.”
For information about events, sponsorships and how to get involved, visit casaleague.ca or @casa_squad on Instagram.
