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‘Capping’ off the season

Local gay softball league celebrates undefeated winning streak

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The CAPS in action. (Photo courtesy Billy Richardson)

The Chesapeake and Potomac Softball League (CAPS), an LGBT softball league, wrapped up their summer league season last weekend with rain-delayed season games played on Saturday and the End of the Season tournament on Sunday.

The District Dawgs, sponsored by the Blade, had a phenomenal season going 15-0 during the summer to win the DuPont Division and finishing fourth at the season ending tournament.

The CAPS summer league consists of 18 open teams (mostly men) in three divisions and six women’s teams in two divisions. The league follows the sanctions established by the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance.

The District Dawgs were established in 2009 as the D.C. Fury and switched to their current name earlier this year. With not much player turnover, they were able to grow as a team over the years.

“We had some great momentum going at the end of last year,” says Dawgs player Jake Trees. “After the season wrapped up in August, we went on to win the season ending tournament.”

The Dawgs play in the DuPont Division which is a C category division. According to Alliance guidelines, that places the players somewhere between competitive and recreational.  All of the players in the CAPS leagues are ranked into categories before they are assigned to a team.

League officials test player abilities such as throwing from third base to first base or being able to hit to each part of the outfield. They are then placed on teams with similarly skilled players.

The District Dawgs had 12 players return from last year and added four new players to the squad that would go on to post an undefeated record in season play. They range from 21 to 50 years old.

As is the case with all the teams in the CAPS summer league, the Dawgs began the preseason with weekend practice sessions to hone their skills. After practice they could often be found at local restaurants or at one of their teammates’ swimming pools.

“Our strength this year came from consistency and the fact that we know each other so well.” Trees says. “Coach Billy Richardson had the tough job of deciding who would play each week and in what position. We all wanted to play all the time.”

Coming up for the District Dawgs is a trip to New York City on Labor Day Weekend where they will compete in the Gotham Softball Classic 2012. Last year they ended up second in the tournament which is contested on the fields in Central Park.

Also coming up is the possibility that the Dawgs may have to move into the B Division next season. The CAPS are considering a new rule that would require any team winning 75 percent of their games to move up to the next division.

While the task of advancing to a more skilled division is daunting, Trees acknowledges that decisions made by the CAPS board are based on the need to grow and maintain the league.

More information is available at eteamz.com/caps/.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

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Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

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Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co. 

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

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Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, May 3

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected]

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected]

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected]

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