In the fall of 1997, a group of friends from a South Florida softball league decided to attend a Florida Marlins World Series game at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. Among them was Patrick McNicholas, a visionary who saw beyond the grandeur and excitement of the World Series. He dreamed of something extraordinary—an event that would forever change the landscape of Major League Baseball.
Planting the Seed
Inspired by the spectacle they witnessed; Patrick proposed an audacious idea to his friends that night. He wanted to organize a day when they could actually play softball on the field after a Major League Baseball game. His friends laughed, dismissing the idea as impossible. They said, “They would never let us do that.” But anyone who knows Patrick knows that “impossible” only fuels his determination.
“Challenge accepted,” he declared.
At the time, Patrick was the commissioner of the gay and lesbian softball leagues in South Florida. His role gave him a unique perspective on inclusivity and community building. Patrick was keenly aware of the stigmas, fears, discrimination, and bullying that the gay community faced daily. He saw this event as a way to break down barriers and demonstrate the power of unity through sport.
The Vision
Theme event like Bobblehead Day, Star Wars Day, and Bark at the Park have long been a staple in Major League Baseball. Yet, the concept of a “Gay Day at the Stadium” was unheard of. While cities like Chicago and San Francisco had seen sporadic gatherings of gay and lesbian fans at games, none had the national sanction and public visibility Patrick envisioned.
San Francisco held the first gay event at a stadium in 1994 for HIV research fundraising, but Patrick aimed higher. His goal was to create the first nationally sanctioned, publicly advertised Gay Day at the Stadium—a groundbreaking event that could have tremendous importance.
The Plan
Patrick’s plan was straightforward yet ambitious. They would buy out multiple sections of Joe Robbie Stadium and reserve those seats for players from the softball league, along with their friends, family, and others in the gay community. After the game, two teams composed of players from every league team would play softball on the field.
Sounds simple enough, right? Not quite.
Overcoming Obstacles
The initial planning phase was fraught with challenges. The first and most daunting question was whether Major League Baseball would allow a gay-themed event. Even if they did, would the gay community feel safe attending such a public event?
Team and stadium officials were open to the idea but had significant concerns about logistics and safety. The 90s were still a time when homosexuals faced severe stigmatization, often associated with AIDS (derogatorily referred to as “the gay plague”). Gay bars were frequently raided, customers harassed, and individuals outed in newspapers, leading to job loss and violence. Members of the gay community often saw intimidation, bullying, beatings and sometimes killed like Matthew Shepard and many others.
Safety was a paramount concern. Anonymous threats poured in, questioning the viability and safety of the event. The stadium strongly suggested extra police presence and personal protection for Patrick who was viciously attacked and hospitalized several years earlier. Ten uniformed police officers were hired to maintain constant vigilance and as a visual deterrent, while two undercover officers were assigned to protect Patrick following negative comments from a radio shock jock and ongoing anonymous telephone threats to stadium personnel.
Despite these challenges, Patrick remained unwavering. There was no way he would allow a few threats to cancel the event, prevent the group from enjoying their day or being told where they could or couldn’t go.
Media Attention
The media’s response was mixed. One reporter from the Miami Herald maintained a neutral stance, unsure how fans and players would receive the event while another Miami Herald columnist spoke positively, highlighting the potential for bridging communities and fostering unity through sport.
Community Support
Initially a few in the gay community were skeptical about such an event but overall the gay and lesbian community rallied behind the cause. Miller Brewing Company stepped up with a financial sponsorship package to help cover the extra police presence and the production of team jerseys.
The expectation was modest—30 softball players and up to 300 community members. The reality exceeded all hopes. Over 1,200 people attended, making the event a resounding success without any incidents.
The Historic Day
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the Outfield Clubhouse buzzed with excitement as fans from the gay community filled the stands and despite the Cubs beating the Marlins 7-6, the true highlight was yet to come.
After the Marlins game, the Flamingo Freedom Marching Band led 1,200 fans through the stadium and onto the field and the National Anthem before the softball game began. To this day, no one remembers who won that game. Ask anyone who was there, and they’ll tell you it was one of the best and most memorable days of their life. While the movies had “Angels in the Outfield,” that day had a couple drag queens gracing the outfield.
Lessons Learned
Winston Churchill once said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” The lessons from this historic event are clear:
- We are more alike than different.
- The fear of the unknown should never stop us from pursuing our dreams.
- Good will always triumph over evil.
Through sports, the community came together, and everyone had a great time.
Legacy
Today, the South Florida Softball League hosts a national tournament known as the Hurricane Showdown with an economic impact of over $5 million annually to Broward County. Major League Baseball stadiums across North America now hold annual Gay Day events, generating millions of dollars and fostering inclusivity.
This story is a testament to the power of determination, community, and the unifying spirit of sport. It reminds us that when we come together, we can overcome any obstacle and create lasting change.