iPride Cup 2027
Hosts of the game.
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May 14-17, 2027
About HASL
HASL History
Since 1977, the Heart of America Softball League (HASL) has stood as a cornerstone of Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ community—built on the simple but powerful idea that everyone deserves a place to belong.
What began as a small, informal gathering has grown into one of the city’s longest-running LGBTQ+ organizations and a nationally recognized softball league. Today, HASL continues to bring people together through sport, friendship, and a shared sense of pride.
HASL’s story begins in the late 1970s, at a time when safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals were limited. On Sundays especially, when many bars and social venues were closed, there were few opportunities for the community to gather.
Recognizing this need, Paul Rogers and Aggie Wheeler, along with other early organizers, came together to create what was originally called the Heart of America Sunday Softball League.
The first games were simple: a handful of co-ed fast-pitch teams playing in local parks in Kansas City, Kansas. But what mattered most wasn’t the score—it was the opportunity to connect, to be visible, and to build community in a safe and welcoming environment.
From the outset, HASL was never just about softball. It was about creating space—space for authenticity, for joy, and for belonging.
It didn’t take long for the league to grow. By 1980, participation had expanded significantly, prompting a shift to slow-pitch softball, the formation of multiple teams, and the election of the league’s first official board.
This marked the official beginning of the Heart of America Softball League as an organized entity.
Those early seasons were defined by a spirit that still lives on today: equal parts competition and celebration. Players recall teams arriving in full costume, spontaneous celebrations, and a welcoming atmosphere where everyone—regardless of skill level—had a place on the field.
At the same time, the league began to look outward. Inspired by national competition, early leader Joe Galegos helped organize Kansas City’s first softball tournament—an event that would evolve into a long-standing tradition and help put HASL on the map.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, HASL continued to grow in both size and reputation. Kansas City teams began competing in national tournaments, including early Gay Softball World Series appearances, where they represented the city with pride, skill, and sportsmanship.
The league also became affiliated with national and international organizations, including the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA) and International Pride Softball, connecting its players to a broader network of LGBTQ+ athletics.
Major milestones followed:
- The establishment of a HASL Hall of Fame in 1997 to honor leaders and contributors
- Hosting major national tournaments, including the Gay Softball World Series
- Continued expansion in both participation and competitive success
By the end of the 1990s, HASL had firmly established itself as more than a local league—it was a recognized force in LGBTQ+ athletics nationwide.
Behind HASL’s growth is a long line of dedicated leaders, volunteers, and players whose contributions shaped the organization over decades.
At the foundation are co-founders Aggie Wheeler and Paul Rogers, whose vision created not just a league, but a lasting community institution.
In the league’s formative years, individuals like Joe Galegos played critical roles in expanding programming and introducing tournament play, while Adrian Ames helped ensure the consistency and structure of games as an early umpire.
The league’s history has also been preserved thanks to Terry McCollam, whose work documenting HASL’s early decades ensured that its story—and the people behind it—would not be forgotten
In more recent years, leaders like Jeff Sloan have continued that legacy, contributing as players, coaches, and board members and earning recognition at the national level for their impact on the sport and community.
These individuals represent only a fraction of the many contributors honored through HASL’s Hall of Fame—a tradition that celebrates the volunteers, athletes, and organizers who have kept the league thriving for generations.
HASL has always been about more than what happens on the field.
Through tournaments, fundraisers, and community events, the league has built lasting connections that extend far beyond softball. Kansas City has hosted multiple national championship events over the years, welcoming players from across the country and showcasing the strength of its LGBTQ+ community.
Friendships are formed in dugouts, strengthened at post-game gatherings, and carried forward long after seasons end. For many, HASL becomes not just a pastime, but a second family.
Now approaching its 50th anniversary, the Heart of America Softball League stands as a testament to what can happen when community, passion, and purpose come together.
From its humble beginnings as a Sunday gathering to its role as a leader in LGBTQ+ athletics, HASL has remained true to its founding vision: creating a space where everyone belongs.
Its story is one of resilience, growth, and pride—but most importantly, it is a story of people.
Players. Leaders. Friends. Family.
Together, they continue to build the legacy of HASL—one game, one season, and one generation at a time