Last weekend several teams from the America’s Finest City Softball League (AFCSL) traveled to the Twin Creeks Sports Complex in Sunnyvale for the San Francisco Gay Softball League’s Golden Bear Classic.

In the Women’s Alternative division bracket, Fit 2B Tyed finished in second place overall with solid wins throughout the double-elimination tournament. Round-robin games determined teams’ seeding for the tournament. Fit 2B Tyed blasted out a 13-0 win over the San Jose Sidewinders and an 8-1 win over Just 4 Fun to earn a second seed in the double-elimination portion.

On May 28, in their first regular game after round-robin play, Fit 2B Tyed lost a tough one against fellow AFCSL foe Aberration, 11-7.

“They beat us with base hits and we beat ourselves with many errors,” said Fit 2B Tyed Coach Tina Prato.

The next day was a laborious effort for Fit 2B Tyed, but they batted their way to the championship game. Coming out of the losers’ bracket after their tough loss to Aberration, Fit 2B Tyed was fired up with six dominating wins in a row. They beat AFCSL opponent On the Run 13-1, blanked the San Francisco Blasters 8-0 and beat LA Storm 19-7.

Fit 2B Tyed avenged their earlier loss against Aberration with a solid 19-8 victory. Their record against AFCSL rival Aberration is 3-2, with their only other loss coming in a 10-3 setback on May 22 during league play.

“We unloaded our bats and crushed every pitcher we faced. It was awesome,” said Prato, reflecting on her team’s renewed offensive output last Sunday.

In the championship, Fit 2B Tyed played perfectly in a 16-1 dominating win over Long Beach’s Team Effort. Since Team Effort was undefeated, a second “if” game needed to be played to determine the tournament champion, as both teams had one loss each.

Team Effort capitalized on Fit 2B Tyed’s fatigue from playing six games in a row and handed them an 11-7 loss to win the championship. Team Effort capitalized on errors committed by Fit 2B Tyed on what would have been routine outs during one inning, which resulted in critical runs for Team Effort.

“Still, hitting the ball hard and on the ground, they [Fit 2B Tyed] played some solid defense. We just couldn’t punch it through,” explained Prato. “It’s too bad. We played our hearts out and came up a little short. Our team will fight to the end, and we’re using this loss as a stepping stone to the [Gay Softball World] Series.”

Other teams in the AFCSL also competed at the Golden Bear Classic. In the Women’s Recreational division, Ono Sushi Sib Tech placed second and Powerhouse Gym 2 placed third.

In the Los Angeles Tournament of the Stars this past weekend, the Club Montage Mustangs placed third in the Open C Division. South Bark Dog Wash captured first place in the Women’s Alternative division, and Clean Sweep captured the Women’s Recreational division championship.

The Women’s Division has one more weekend of league play at Hourglass Park in Mira Mesa on Sunday, June 5. The awards banquet will be held at Six Degrees that evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Open Division finishes their games at Poway Sportsplex on Sunday, June 12. They are also holding their end-of-season party at 12:30 p.m., with food served from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. and an awards presentation immediately following.

The San Diego American Flag Football League (SDAFFL) is hosting a player auction at Bourbon Street on Sunday, June 5, starting at 5:00 p.m. Bid for a date with some of the hottest men in San Diego. There will be a “beefed up” barbecue with $3 pitchers and $2 domestic drafts beers throughout the day. All proceeds from the auction will fund Gaybowl V, the National Flag Football championship being held in San Diego this year. The SDAFFL will host the three-day tournament for the first time Oct. 7-9 in Tidelands Park in Coronado. For more information about the auction or the SDAFFL, call (619) 804-9000, or visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the SDAFFL Web site.

The Different Strokes Swim Team (DSST) invites the community to a free stroke clinic, open to the public, this Saturday, June 4, at the Bud Kearns municipal pool in Morley Field. The clinic will begin at 12:00 noon. For information about DSST, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the DSST Web site.

Heading up to L.A. for pride? Shake off your hangover at LA Frontrunners’ (LAFR) 24th annual 5K & 10K Run/Walk for LGBT Pride in West Hollywood, beginning at 8:00 a.m. on June 12. The race benefits Bike Out, a group that organizes mountain bike trips for GLBT youth. The race begins at Robertson Boulevard, just south of Santa Monica Boulevard.

LAFR welcomes all runners to participate in the USATF-certified 5K or 10K races. All three races, which include a 5K walk, begin simultaneously. The cost to pre-register through June 3 is $25 general and $20 for students. Registration after the deadline is $30 general and $25 for students. Students must present a valid student ID on race day.

Medals will be given to the top three male and female runners for each event and age division. All race participants are eligible for a raffle drawing. Prizes will be awarded following the race. For more information, call (323) 460-2554 or visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the LA Frontrunners’ Web site.