December 8, 2014
CLGSA DONATES $27,500 TO GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES AND LOCAL CHARITIES
Columbus, Ohio
The Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association (CLGSA) announced today that their annual fundraiser, Bat-N-Rouge™ – a drag softball game, which is the oldest annual charity event in Columbus – had record attendance and raised $10,000 to support the operation of the softball league. CLGSA will also donate $12,500 to the 2015 Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) and an additional $15,000 to be split among three local charities with each receiving $5000.
The three charities that will each receive $5000 are: Kaleidoscope, AIDS Resource Center (ARC) – Ohio (specifically Prevention and Education) and Stonewall Columbus. With these donations, CLGSA’s charitable contributions total almost $230,000.
Bat-N-Rouge™ has grown significantly over its 29 years of existence, and in 2012, became internationally trademarked. The event’s growth is due in large part to the tremendous support and partnerships CLGSA receives from the Columbus community, the city and corporate sponsors. More than 100 volunteers helped put on the event this year. The Columbus City Mayor’s office, Columbus City Schools, and the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department have been instrumental in ensuring the continuance of the event over the years. Additionally, Bat-N-Rouge™ has several title sponsors – Coors Light and Svedka – who are essential to the event’s success.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
History
29 years ago no one would have ever guessed a fun softball birthday party would turn into one of Columbus, Ohio’s largest and oldest Charity Fundraisers. Bat-N-Rouge™™ is owned and operated by the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball League (CLGSA) and is the Official closing event of Columbus Pride Celebration every year. Bat-N-Rouge™™ is a drag softball game in which CLGSA players dress as characters of current affairs or pop culture and play a softball game for charity. Players have taken to the field as Mackie-O, Andora and Endora, Hell-in Bedd, Mary Katherine Gallagher, Nina Worst, Storm, Oprah, The Princesses of Whales, Patsy and Adina, The Golden Girls, and of course Miss Georgia World, Suzanne Sugarbaker. All players are cheered on by their cheerleaders – the Hygienes and the Monistats.
Nina West and Virginia West are the current hosts of Bat-N-Rouge™ and they were preceded by stars like Peg-A-Go Go, Action Jackson, Brazon, Sable Coate, Vivie Vellure and Paige Passion.
Contact Information
For further inquiries, please contact Dallas Aldridge, CLGSA Commissioner, commissioner@clgsa.com.
