1975

In 1975 a network of gay friends began playing pickup softball in Toronto each Sunday. The founders of what would become the CGSL included Barry Borsellino, Warren Shepell, Jack Brannigan, Peter Brown, Michael Brady, Alan Miller (& Chuck), David Dansereau, Doug Taylor, David McKay, Ted Simpson, and a few others.

Sometimes they had enough players to field two teams, but other times they played scrub softball. Scrub is a method of playing softball when there are not enough players to field two full teams. Instead, players rotate through each fielding position, concluding their rotation with a turn at bat.

The first games were held at Jesse Ketchum Public School. It initially worked, a group of kids agreed to join allowing enough players for a full game. This only lasted a few weeks as there were some limitations of playing at the school. At the time, the school yard was covered mostly in asphalt and there was no fence, the ball often bounced into the street. Searching for a more suitable home, they tried various locations including Central Tech, June Rowlands Park, and the lot behind the Dominion market at Spadina and Bloor. The final games were played at Moss Park.

1976

In 1976 the group’s numbers continued to grow and they finally found a field to call home. In January, Barry Borsellino moved to a house on Dearbourne Avenue near Broadview. This was a short walk to the baseball field at Riverdale Park East. It was a modest baseball venue with a dirt infield, a backstop, and a single bench for each side. There were no fences. The park was located within walking distance to Cabbagetown and Riverdale, 2SLGBTQ people increasingly moved into these neighbourhoods in the 1960s and 1970s. It was easy to attract new players by using personal networks and word of mouth.

No one held the permit, Barry and the others would arrive early each Sunday to claim the field. After a full day of playing ball, many of the players walked along the trail across the Don River toward Parliament Street to gather at a bar for drinks. That autumn, Barry, Warren Shepell, and Jack Brannigan followed the same route to mark the end of the season. As they approached the bridge, the three friends discussed the idea of organizing this growing group of softball players into an organized league. They agreed Barry was in the best position to lead the new league as commissioner and they immediately began the work of recruiting new players for the next season.

1977

By March 1977, Barry Borsellino had compiled a list of over 100 potential players, around 60 followed through with signing up. They divided the players into four teams with basic names: A, B, C, and D. They decided to return to Riverdale Park East, but this time they wanted to secure the permits. Warren Shepell volunteered to obtain them.

First, they needed to pick a name for the league. They were concerned that if they were obvious about being a gay league the city might decline their permit request. This was a legitimate fear, at the time there were no human rights protections in place on the basis of sexual orientation. Discrimination was widespread. They chose to name themselves the Cabbagetown Professional Group Softball League (CPGSL). The “G” for group was to be a double-entendre for “gay”, and the addition of “professional” was meant to highlight their respectability. Hoping to impress the city officials, Warren sent the permit application by taxi. It worked. With the teams set and the fields secured, the CPGSL was ready for its 1977 season.

1978

Under Construction – More info coming soon

1979

Under Construction – More info coming soon

1980

Under Construction – More info coming soon

1981

Under Construction – More info coming soon