In full swing

A delegation from world Outgames announced its festival at last year’s Pride events. (Photo courtesy Kevin Majoros)

The end of January finds the LGBT sports teams of Washington in different phases of their own calendars.

A few teams such as the Capital Area Rainbowlers Association and the Capital Tennis Association are in the midst of their winter leagues. A couple of other teams, including the Chesapeake and Potomac Softball League and the D.C. Sentinels basketball team are just returning from tournament play in Las Vegas.

Several of the other clubs and teams are gearing up for their spring seasons. The D.C. Gay Flag Football League has just completed final round of registration for its coming season. In a matter of hours, players filled their rosters with 220 players with many more landing on a waiting list.

Their spring season draft is on Feb. 8, so there is still a chance to get in the game as some players will drop out before the season begins. You can sign up for the waiting list at dcgffl.org.

The Adventuring Outdoors Group is hosting the Gettysburg Battlefield Hike on Saturday. The walking tour/hike will be around 5 miles and will cover such famous spots as Devils Den, Little Round Top, The Wheatfield and The Peach Orchard. If the weather does not hold up, the trip will be converted to a driving tour. The group will meet to carpool at the Forest Glen Metro Station and will return by early evening. Anyone interested can contact Craig at craighowell1@verizon.net.

The Capital Splats Racquetball League organizes meet-ups for racquetball players of all skill levels about twice a month. Its members range from beginners to tournament-level players and they plan to establish official leagues this summer.  You can meet up with them every fourth Thursday for happy hour at Nellies Sports Bar from 5 to 8 p.m. Check out the team’s Facebook page under Capital Splats.

The Capital Area Rainbowlers Association is hosting the Crazy bowling tournament on Saturday at the AMF Annandale Lanes in Annandale, Va. The event will feature unusual games such as blind bowl, obstacle bowl and low bowl. More information is available at carabowling.org.

It’s never too soon to start thinking about the third edition of the worldOutgames to be contested in Antwerp, Belgium in August of 2013. The games are built on three equally important pillars.

Sports — More than 10,000 participants are expected to compete in 35 sports. The competitors are divided according to age and/or level of experience.

Culture — An international cultural platform is offered including offerings in theater, music, poetry and art exhibitions. The theme of the Antwerp games will be of family, youth, women and spirituality.

Human rights — An international group of experts and keynote speakers are being assembled for a human rights conference focusing on several themes. The conference will culminate in the “Declaration of Antwerp,” a roadmap to strategic alliances necessary for political, social and health progress through 2018.

Information is at world.outgames.org.