The 2003 Autumn Classic proved to be one of the most successful softball tournaments in its 20-year history. The America’s Finest City Softball League set a record, with 84 teams from across the country participating in the annual tournament.

Taking first place in D1 was San Francisco Club Hitmen. The Hitmen defeated fellow San Francisco team, the Seals, to take first place. The Long Beach Rebels finished in third place in the division. In D2 the Phoenix Toros beat the LA Titans to win the division, while the Seattle Tramps took third place.

Forty-six teams took part in the round robin pool play to determine the seeding for Division 3 and 4 at Kit Carson Park in Escondido.

San Diego’s Moby Dick’s Trojans took first place in the D3 Championship after the San Jose Fireballs, who came up through the losers bracket, forced them to play an ‘if’ game to decide the tournament championship. Going into the final inning of the game, Moby’s held a 15-5 lead over the Fireballs, who came back to score nine runs in the final inning to make it 15-14. The game ended with a batter taking a called strike three with the tying run on first base.

“We only lost one game the whole weekend, the one that forced the ‘if’ game,” said Moby Dick’s manager Bill Walls. “The team just gelled, and everybody was supporting each other and it was a great team effort. It hasn’t even sunk in yet. It’s the first time I’ve even placed in the Autumn Classic with one of my teams, and to come in first place is fantastic.”

The Los Angeles Batboys finished in third place in the D3 tournament.

In D4 the Long Beach Screamers battled through the losers bracket to beat the Los Angeles Titans in back-to-back games to win their division. Interactive Male of San Diego took third place in the division.

The final game of the tournament saw the Phoenix Amsterdam Martinis force San Francisco Royal Menace to an ‘if’ game that went until 7:30 p.m. under the lights at Hourglass field in Mira Mesa for the D5 championship. The Seattle Thumpers Thunder took third place in the division.

All of the Women’s Division games were played on the fields at Hourglass Park, and San Diego dominated the competition in all three levels of play.

In the A Division, Long Beach Just for Fun defeated Moby Dick’s Last Call of San Diego to take first place in the division. The Los Angeles Boltz finished in third place in the division.

The B Division championship was an all-San Diego showdown with Fit 2b Tyed defeating Powerhouse Gym to take first place. Third place went to San Jose Spare Parts. Last but not least, in the C Division, the Long Beach Bat Girls beat San Diego Clean Sweep to take first, and Long Beach Come from Behind finished in third place.

In addition to the social opportunities for players to meet and interact on the fields, this year’s tournament included an opening night registration party held at The Center, as well as the closing night’s awards banquet, which was catered by Brians’ American Eatery. Bacchus house hosted the official league party on Saturday night.

“The Center was very excited to host the AFCSL’s registration and post-tournament party,” said Shawn Ingram of The Center. “The athletics community is one that is extraordinarily valuable in the LGBT community, and we are very proud to welcome them to The Center.”

The AFCSL returns to regular fall season place this coming weekend, with games starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Poway Sportsplex. For more information about the AFCSL and the Autumn Classic tournament, visit gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to their web site.