The Pacific Northwest’s Premier Tournament is Back & Better Than Ever

In 1981, the Cascade Classic originated in the “Emerald City”of Seattle and 33 years later the now Emerald City Classic is expecting 76 teams across three divisions this July 4th weekend, making it one of the largest NAGAAA affiliated weekend tournaments in the nation.

A sold out tournament for the second year in a row, the field of teams that will compete this 4th of July weekend is impressive to say the least, meaning that this tournament is not just quantity, but also quality.

The Emerald City Classic is known for putting on a great tournament.  Seattle is no stranger to hosting important NAGAAA tournaments as the city has previously hosted the Gay Softball World Series in both 2008 and 1995.  That kind of international tournament experience really shows through in the ECC’s organizational and tournament management aspects.

Eric Goemer is the ECC tournament director for the second year in a row and it is clear that he and his tournament staff are committed to growing this tournament on a yearly basis.  “This is the tournament’s second year of selling out.  Last year we had enough fields for 60 teams.  This year we planned for a few more teams, but were pleasantly surprised with how many more teams signed up,” said Goemer.

All of the tournament festivities will get started on Friday, July 4th at the World Sports Grille.  The fields aren’t the only place where you will find some friendly competition this coming weekend in Seattle.  “We will be holding mini-tournaments of pool, table tennis and peer pong at registration,” added Goemer.  In addition to registering and getting your competitive juices flowing on Friday night, there will also be a special area for tournament participants to watch a fantastic fireworks display over the Southern side of  Union Lake.

The tournament is guaranteeing 5 games per team with trophies for 1st through 4th in each division.  There will generally be 2 pool play games for each team and for teams that are among the first eliminated in double elimination there will be single elimination consolation tourneys to guarantee the games.  A two umpire crew will be used in championship games and no teams will be eliminated on Saturday.  The Awards Ceremony will be held at Neighbours night club on Sunday the 6th, where some additional awards including divisional sportsmanship awards will be handed out.

Getting sponsorship for the tournament has been successful and why wouldn’t it be given the great local and national support the ECC has.  Bud Light is sponsoring the tournament along with PB & J Textiles, Colbalt Mortgage, 1st Security Bank, and Rein Fire Ranch.  The 2014 ECC official tournament shirts were designed by another sponsor, Ajaxx63, a popular fashion label in the LGBT community.

It is evident that Seattle will attempt to outdo itself again, which is hard to do given the year by year success of the tournament.  However, the ECC tournament committee is prepared and ready to deliver a first class experience to its tournament participants.  “Our goal is to provide a great overall experience.  We take pride in making sure all of the attending teams have everything they need to have a successful tournament,” said ECC tournament director Eric Goemer.

Mr. Goemer’s comments are poignant as we close out the month of June in the LGBT community.  The ECC takes PRIDE in the product they put out there for the gay softball community, therefore it’s no coincidence that teams keep coming back and that more and more new teams make Seattle a destination point on a yearly basis.

*The DD would like to thank Eric Goemer, ECC Tournament Director for his outstanding information regarding this tournament.*