By Lexie Nobrega
Norfolk’s very first queer softball league, the Mid-Atlantic Amateur Softball Association (MAASA), hosted their first national gay softball tournament at Northside Park from October 11-12, 1986. MAASA was formed in 1985 by Commissioner Tony Pritchard and Vice Commissioner Michael Holcombe. According to Holcombe, MAASA was founded because it was Pritchard’s dream to have a gay softball league in the Hampton Roads community. Teams from major cities including Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, Birmingham, and New York traveled to Northside Park to participate in the first annual Mid-Atlantic Softball Classic (M.A.S.C.). The Virginia Outlaws, MAASA’s star team, won the tournament when they scored four runs in the final game to beat Washington, D.C. 7-5.
The North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) formed in 1977 to provide the LGBT community access to participate in organized softball competitions across North America. Holcombe said that after Pritchard attended NAGAAA’s Gay Softball World Series in 1984, he asked Holcombe to be Vice-Commissioner for MAASA and write the league’s original constitution. MAASA was established with four teams: the Virginia Outlaws, Cue Club Cavaliers, Shirley’s Travelers (an all-women’s team sponsored by the lesbian bar Shirley’s Place), and the Garage Mechanics. According to Holcombe, “Gay softball was the first organized [sport] on a national level for gays to do.” Establishing the league was important to Pritchard, who also owned several gay bars in Norfolk, because he wanted to provide the local LGBT community an opportunity to meet in both public and private spaces. After MAASA was formed, bowling and volleyball leagues were formed in Norfolk, and in August 1993, MAASA competed against 70 teams in the Gay Softball World Series. The Outlaws won their first World Series championship game within the top “A” division, which was a huge moment for coach Pritchard, Holcombe, and their players.
MAASA was more than just a gay softball league; players joined the league to connect with other members of Tidewater’s queer community in a public, open area that was easily accessible to anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, or gender. Teammates often had “friendship picnics” and other social gatherings outside of practice. MAASA turned Northside Park into their own queer space, allowing players to be their authentic selves in an affirming environment. Because of MAASA’s efforts, queer softball is still alive and vibrant in Hampton Roads today. Teams carry on past traditions as they continue to play softball games in Northside Park and participate in the Gay Softball World Series.
More photos of the October 1968 Mid-Atlantic Softball Classic:
Tournament players 
Fans and players in the stands 
Umpires confer 
Postgame handshake line
