ABOUT SURF & SUN

Surf and Sun provides a safe, comfortable environment for LGBTQ community to play softball in the Long Beach and Orange County area. While many of us simply play for fun, our affiliation with NAGAAA (North American Gay Amateur Athletics Alliance) and ASANA (Amateur Sports Alliance of North America) allows teams in our league to participate in the World Series Tournament. We offer all levels of play ranging from beginner to advanced skill set. Softball is a great place to make new friends in a recreational and athletic setting. Our players come from all areas of Southern California, not solely the LGBTQ communities. We are most definitely “straight friendly” and welcome all diversities. Our goal is to provide a gay-friendly atmosphere for softball players and their fans. We hope to see you on the fields!

  • Who: Mostly Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender but straight players are welcome!
  • What: Softball – Open (Men and women) and Women’s Divisions, with various levels of play each.
  • Where: Surf and Sun plays in the City of Tustin.
  • When: We offer both spring (March through July) and fall (Sept through Dec) seasons.
  • Why: To have fun, meet people, and go to the Gay Softball World Series.

Gay Softball got a staggered start in the Long Beach area. In 1978, four teams gathered to play organized ball, but those initial efforts faded resulting in no formal play for the next two years. In 1981 a dedicated group of athletes formed a league with six teams and we have been playing every year since then.
Initially, the organization started out as the Southwest Athletic Team Supports (SWATS), and in 1983 joined with the well-respected North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA). In 1984 the league held its first tournament during the 4th of July weekend and named it the Surf and Sun Liberty Classic. The tournament has been played every year since with great success with teams from all across the country and Canada.
Ready to expand due to increased interest, we added the Women’s Division in the early 1990s. Later that decade we changed our name again to the Long Beach / Orange County Surf and Sun Softball League. This change was made to better define the area that most of our league members call home. In 2001, the league added another tournament called the Cranberry Cup to its schedule. This tournament was played over the Thanksgiving weekend. The Cranberry Cup only made 3 appearances, but was a precursor to what was to come in 2005. The California Quake rumbled into Palm Springs to fill the need for a local fall tournament.
The future of the Surf and Sun Softball League looks brighter with each passing season. As more athletes dedicate their time and energy to the league, the quality of play increases. We anticipate a successful future with a committed board of directors working diligently on behalf of the league.

We hope to see you on the fields!