Farewell WESA Commission… In this issue: . Farewell WESA… Well, the WESA Awards Celebration is almost here and it’s finally hitting me… . From the Vice Cee! I’m retiring from the WESA Commission! I’m a little sad but very excited at the same time… Excited that after almost 10 years, I’ll have more free time . Benefits of NAGAAA but sad to no longer be working directly for, and organizing, to make WESA . From Special Events all it can be. Snapshots of Season There is always “politics” within any organization, especially those with the . Emerald City Classic size and diversity of WESA. I can honestly say that the single biggest thing I . Pac Cup Tournament am proud about is that the Commission has debated the PROs and CONs of every decision. The Commission continually works towards balancing the Team Sponsor needs of the individual WESA Member with that of the entire organization. What many people do not know or consider is that the Commission works tirelessly all year long, meeting at least once a month, and putting in many extra hours outside of those usually 2-3 hour long meetings to keep things moving forward. I have been lucky enough to have worked along side some great and amazing people who are super passionate and enthusiastic about softball and WESA: Art Gullett, Sydney Malcom, Justin Mui, Rob Duncan, Brad Allen, and Tim Beaulieu to name just a few. There are far too many more people who—without question—are part of many outstanding contributions over the years, too many to name here. I want to acknowledge them and say “Thank You” to each and every single one of you! A lot has been accomplished and evolved over the past decade. When I first joined the Commission as Rules and Regulations Commissioner: the League Sponsor C and D Divisions did not exist and all teams played as one group; we had just 12 teams which all played on one diamond; you could not sign up with a friend, only with a partner; and WESA did not send teams to the Gay Softball World Series. I am proud that WESA is in a strong financial situation; working towards Emerald City Classic Seattle maintaining a contingency fund to ensure that we can withstand any Diamond & Team Sponsor hardship. I am proud that WESA has grown to 15 teams playing on three diamonds (and will surely continue to grow). I am proud that WESA joined the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA), which enabled us to contribute to the larger gay sporting community as well as send our exceptional teams to the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS). I am proud of the technical updates WESA has made with its websites, online social networking community, and communications—special acknowledgements to Rob Duncan, Justin Mui, and Sheldon Gibson! Even with those accomplishments, there is still much to do… including consolidating all games to Strathcona Park where our cohesiveness will be reinforced; developing a stronger C Division within WESA; and growing the Pacific Cup Softball Tournament into a larger tournament with B, C League Sponsor & D Divisions. I encourage all members to give their time, whether it is helping out at a practice, volunteering as a coach, Team Sponsor volunteering at an event, or participating in the WESA Pageant. It’s time to give back; you don’t have to hold a position on the Commission to participate (although that would be great!), but please give of your time whenever you can! I hope you feel WESA has enriched your life and I hope you have made Team Sponsor Commission & Coaches in 2011 Photo: Trevor MacNeil life long friends while playing some great ball. If you are even a little better off for having been involved with WESA, then please give a little back. Team Sponsor In closing: from raising funds for local charities to working with local businesses and organizations; and from the great games of softball that I have played in and watched to the amazing friendships that I’ve made along the way; WESA has truly made my life richer, fuller and rewarding! I sincerely ‘Thank You’ WESA! Scott Fullerton ~ WESA League Commissioner 2009-2012 and Rules & Regulations Commissioner 2003-2008 West End Slo-pitch Association ~ 34th Season of Playing with Balls since 1978! WESA.net Page 1 The Dusty Bag Page 2 Team Sponsor …from our Vice Commissioner Some new faces are set to join the WESA Commission for 2013, and although we'll get to meet most of them this weekend at the Annual Awards Celebration, one got a bit of a head start... League Sponsor As a rookie to the league this year, some of you might not know me all that well yet. Less than six months in, and here I am taking over the remainder of a two-year term as Vice Commissioner. Team Sponsor Throw a Gay Softball World Series in the middle, an inaugural Fall Ball Season, and watching my first PAC Cup Tournament from the driver's seat (so to speak), and it's been a heck of a start to my WESA career! Team Sponsor I want to thank the entire WESA membership for making my first season a very memorable one. I've played a lot of team sports throughout my life, and already this season I've been able to be a part of a couple of the best teams I can remember, on and off the field. Thanks to Joe for taking a chance and drafting a freakishly tall guy in Team Sponsor an absurdly bright neon jersey. Thanks to team KOSS for some great times and even better parties, and of course, my first ever world series. Thanks to Greg, Rick and Morgan for the invite to team Stonehouse, and everyone who was a part of our marathon in Seattle. And that's just a few. All of these are reasons why I was quick to jump at the opportunity to take over the Vice Commissioner's role. I'm excited to have the chance to give back, and work hard Diamond & Team Sponsor to help put together more great times for current and future WESA members. I'm looking forward to hosting PAC Cup again next year, and making it another memorable weekend. Here's to another great year, meeting more and more incredible people, and maybe squeezing in a few decent ball games too!! Cheers! Kevin Bastedo ~ WESA Vice Commissioner 2013 Team Sponsor Team Sponsor League Sponsor Team Sponsor Pac Cup Tournament BBQ Party ~ Saturday, September 1, 2012; and Pac Cup Tournament Awards Party ~ Sunday, September 2, 2012. Top Left Clockwise – Craig Littlejohn & Kevin Reichmuth; Gold Medal Winners Yves Moisan, Corey Laitinen, Greg Lawton, Clay Dubé, Bobbie Lim & Tim Beaulieu; Rudy Villamin & Jordan Patterson; Dean Dawson & Wayne McIlroy; and Kevin Bastedo & Nick Mix. West End Slo-pitch Association ~ 34th Season of Playing with Balls since 1978! WESA.net Page 2 Team Sponsor Top 10 Benefits of WESA’s Membership in NAGAAA 1. Every WESA member has the opportunity to play at the Gay Softball World Series – the largest annual gay sporting event in the world. Team Sponsor 2. New marketing ideas and contacts with companies/sponsors are acquired. 3. Organizational knowledge is advanced (i.e. WESA obtained insurance for the Commission). 4. Ability to create divisions for players of equivalent skill ranges to participate in. Team Sponsor 5. WESA gains networking ability with 50 other gay softball leagues. 6. Fundraising for the local charity of the World Series host city. 7. Exposure to rules, equipment, and best practices for tournament/league structure. 8. Further exposure to people looking to play or join a softball team/league. 9. Being part of a strong international organization adds credibility to WESA. Team Sponsor 10. WESA contributes to the greater good of gay softball. Priscilla’s on Davie GSWS Team From back Left to Right clockwise: Rick DeHart, Team Sponsor John Lauder, Dan Griffin, Bill Ignacio, Sil Ferreira, Aaron Brice, Basil Girgrah, James Conklin, Corey Laitinen-McMillan, Andrew Laitinen-McMillan, Sean Gregor, Devon LaChance, & Aaron Hachey. Finished 34th out of 48 teams in D Division! Way to go team! Diamond & Team Sponsor Priscilla’s on Davie Regular Season Teammates who were not able to attend GSWS, but definitely contributed to the team’s overall success to go to Minneapolis: Micah Gilbert, Dan Horwood, Nick Photo: Jim Cash (Seattle) Rennie, Mike Steen, & Ryan Wylie. Koss GSWS Team From back Left to Right clockwise: Chuck Frees Team Sponsor (not on team), Jon Guolla, Shawn Courtoreille, Scott Fullerton, Matt Brandt, Kevin Bastedo, Cole Bennett, Jeremy Bohlken, Josh Metcalfe, Rob Duncan, Joe Roche, & Jason Wilhelm. League Sponsor Finished 32nd out of 56 teams in C Division! Excellent achievement team! Koss Regular Season Teammates who were not able to make GSWS, but definitely contributed to the team’s overall success to go to Minneapolis: Robert Beaulne, Martin Klovan, Josh Lewis, Yves Moisan, Shawn Newell, Scott Plenderleith, & Harry Team Sponsor Young. Steam 1 GSWS Team From back Left to Right clockwise: Adam Garvin, Denis Laferrière, Blaine Perry, Darcy Simpson, Team Sponsor Bryan Weir, Todd Legrée, Justin Mui, Colin Briggs, Ryan Lee, Robin Perry, Morgan McCallum, & Jim Balakshin Finished 17th out of 48 teams in D Division! Great playing team! Steam 1 Regular Season Teammates who were not League Sponsor able to make GSWS, but definitely contributed to the team’s overall success to go to Minneapolis: Todd Brisbin, Brent Brown, Alec Burke, Clay Dubé, Glenn Lombardo, & Cliff Thorbes. West End Slo-pitch Association ~ 34th Season of Playing with Balls since 1978! WESA.net Page 3 ...from our Special Events Commissioner First off I wanna thank everyone who came out to help, participate, walk, lypsync, back-up dance, sell 50/50 tickets, flip burgers, blow up balloons, etc.! Without all of the help that I received from you peeps, none of our events would have happened..