Meet a Team Rep

Jackie Ruggiero or as most people know her by ‘Jax’ is this year’s team rep for Mitts Off The Merkin. Jax has been playing with the Notso league, as she puts it ‘too long to remember’ but I believe it’s a little over 5 years. What makes Jackie keep coming back ‘All the laughter we have that makes your belly hurt, girls, softball and beer, did I mention girls!’

Watch her on the field pitching or as you run by 1st base, say hello. Jackie loves the sport and the league itself and of course, the girls! Her all time favourite sport movie is a League of Their Own – why you ask? “If winning was easy, then everybody would be doing it. It’s the hard that makes it great!”
If the sun is shining and the sky is blue, don’t be surprised if you see Jax on her scooter and just riding through this great city she calls home. She kinda plays tourist in her own town with a camera by her side. As Jackie says “Toronto has so much still to see and do!”

Off the field, Jackie enjoys a good conversation with friends and a glass of wine, laughter and great music, perhaps Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones. She loves it cause it’s a bloody good song. So if you ever spot Jax at a bar, treat her to a cold bud light lime, her new favorite summer drink!

Here’s something about Jackie I bet you didn’t know. ‘I absolutely love ice cream during the Winter months, some may think it’s weird. I am also a collector of Kinder Surprise toys, have been for most of my life!
When asked about her special quote, this is what Jackie had to say and I couldn’t agree with her more.
"Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do";
Accept the past as past, without denying it or discarding it";
Learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others";
Don't assume that it's too late to get involved.

*Mitch Albom" tuesdays with Morrie

Meet a Team Rep

If you haven’t met Kristin Tokarsky, this is your chance! She is such a joker with a great sense of humour, you just got to meet her! Kristin has been playing with Notso’s for about 3 years over the last 7 years. She’s back from a 4 year hiatus and can’t believe it’s been that long since her last Notso summer.

Kristin is the proud team rep for the Runaways, aka Team 3! Read on to find out how the team name came about. “ Our team name is based on the movie of the same name, which chronicled the early years of queer rocker Joan Jett, when she was a part of the all girl band “The Runaways”.

She just loves playing ball and hanging out with her queer sisters and of course meeting new fabulous ladies-Notso’s brings it all together. When asked what her favourite position is, here is what she had to say “That’s a loaded question but I’m assuming you mean on the field. (Wicked Grin) Well I will play anywhere actually. I’m a team player and want everyone to play where they want. So I will play anywhere there’s a space. If I had to choose, probably First or Third or the outfield or......LOL.

Kristin had a tough time picking her favourite song but did settle on Bob Marley- Three little birds. She choose this song because it reminds her of good friends, drinks, warm weather, Pride, baseball; a summer anthem. Her favourite movie, and I’m sure alot of you have seen it, is ‘A League of Their Own’, ya know Madonna and Rosie...the ladies playing ball...it’s all good. Her favourite actress ‘would have to be Angelina (the early years) and Gina Gershon’. Hmmm I wonder why???
You would never know it but Kristin is quite the traveller. She’s been to the BIG APPLE, Washington, Amsterdam and Cypress. She proudly boasts travelling right across our beautiful country – Coast to Coast and her favourite place is .....St. John’s NFLD.
After a long day at work, Kristin enjoys a white wine, a nice local Riesling or Chardonnay. If I’m looking for something stronger – vodka and just about anything...but if you ever run into her at the local pub a nice pale ale or blonde from the local brewery will do just fine!

Kristin loves spending time with people. Hanging out with friends and at family centers – it helps keep her grounded. Chilling at a restaurant chatting over drinks or taking in a theatre or an art show. She loves to take in all the city has to offer and do it with fabulous people....like you.

Words to live by “All we have is here and now, and that is why procrastination feels so right. Procrastinate now, don’t put it off.” Ellen D.

Kristin’s message to everyone ... “Have a good, safe, fun and fabulous season....and I look forward to meeting everyone on and off the field”.

Meet a Team Rep

Meet Carrie Brodie! This is Carrie’s first year with the Notso’s and already she’s jumped right in to be the Bushwhackers team rep-way to go Carrie! And by the sounds of it she may be ready to take on another position next year! Carrie’s thought on Notso’s ‘I am really impressed with the organizational prowess of the Notso Collective!’
So far it’s been good for Carrie; she’s played her first game and loves it. Her favourite position is first base; just make sure you catch the ball in the glove and not in the mouth lol. For those who know me -Paula, know the story behind that one! Sorry Carrie had to throw that one in.
Like most of our Notsos, Carrie enjoys a good game of ball and of course beer-not necessarily in that order. She likes being part of a team and that’s probably why her favourite movie is ‘Rocky’ especially when the underdog wins!
Who’s her favourite actress Susan Sarandon because she's classy, strong and very cool.
When not on the field, Carrie is plucking away on her guitar or ukulele- maybe we can convince her to can play us a few tunes! Or simply sipping on some red wine while listening to Van Morrison-Into the Mystic.

Carrie enjoys travelling, most recently Eastern Europe. Some other places she has visited, Israel, many parts of the US, Eastern Canada
One of Carrie’s favourite quotes: Better your own path badly done than the path of another.

So be on the lookout for Carrie and her scooter but you’ll have to hail her down as she won’t hear you cuz she’ll be plugged into her iPOD.

Meet a Team Rep

Meet Maria Menezes she’s the 2010 Team Rep for No Glove No Love!!!

Maria’s softball career started at an early age of 8 or 9 and who knew she would be the amazing ball player she is today. This is Maria’s 5th season with the NOTSOS-3 of those were ’87-’89 inclusive. When asked ‘Why do you enjoy being a Notso?’ without hesitation Maria says she ‘loves playing with the NOTSOS because they’re a great bunch of women! It gives me an opportunity to be active, and expand my network of friends. I like it that everyone, new & experienced, young & old - make that experienced. Everyone is included and encouraged to participate in a very supportive, and safe environment.’

Maria enjoys many positions – on the field that is! But Maria’s most favourite position is mainly 1st Base or Pitcher. Maria also enjoys umping- she did such an amazing job last year that she is back again this season. She also tried her hand at 3rd Base, and enjoyed it just as much as any other baseball positions.
Maria is quite the versatile player!

Her favourite music genre is the 80’s, it’s hard to pinpoint a particular favourite song, but would say ‘Holiday’ by Madonna…why you ask ‘I am very much a product of the 80’s- turned 18 in ’80, came out or rather, accepted my sexuality in ’84…Madonna was IT then!’

Some of Maria’s favourite quotes:

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

People may not always believe what you say, but they always believe what you do.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

A lie gets half way around the world before Truth has a chance to get it’s pants on.

After a hard day on the field, you can find Maria mingling with a great group of friends and enjoying a cold drink.

So look out for Maria- she may be Umping YOUR game next!

Notsos at Inside Out!

The Notsos have sponsored a screening at the Inside Out LGBT Film and Video Festival. Check out our sponsored films and all of the other great films at the festival!

Monday May 24, 4:45 pm @ Royal Ontario Museum

Inside Out and the NOTSO Amazon Softball League Present:

HOMO TEAM ADVANTAGE:

LADY TROJANS

Elizabeth Hesik

USA 2008

Video 57 min

While other burgeoning queers floundered for belonging in towns across America during the early nineties, one girls’ basketball team at a high school outside Tucson formed a tight‐knit community of athletic lesbians. Lady Trojans looks back at this pocket of lesbian awakening in Catalina, Arizona. The story focuses on Anna as she and her former teammates reminisce about the days of their sexual exploration, partner‐jumping and falling in and out of love with each other.

VHS home movies, interviews with the Lady Trojans, and footage of the players on and off the court reveal the universally complicated playbook of youthful sexuality—feelings we can all relate to, whether we have our own Lady Trojans or not.

CANADIAN PREMIERE

THE BOYS IN THE POOL

Louis Dupont

France

2008 Video 54 min

From the court to the pool, here’s a take on another rarity. Set in France, Louis Dupont’s beautiful documentary shines a light on three gay men training to compete in the International synchronized swimming event at the Eurogames in Barcelona. With the support of their tough‐love coach Isabelle, the men train under a vigorous schedule and bond as the competition approaches.

Dupont’s unobtrusive filming reveals the swimmers at their leisure, bodies taut and toned, practicing torso moves and dancing to the music of their routine. These athletes are not merely driven to win, but are passionate about the potential for synchronized swimming to eclipse its status as a less‐than sport, and to pave the way for all athletes so that they might have the opportunity to compete equally in any sport they choose, regardless of gender.

FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

3 EASY WAYS TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

1. Online visit: www.insideout.ca

2. Over the Phone: 416.967.1528

3. In Person: 2 Carlton St, West Mezzanine (past elevators, through glass doors on the right)

HOURS FOR IN PERSON AND PHONE SALES:

Monday to Friday 12pm – 7pm

Saturday and Sunday:12pm – 6pm

Road Closures - May 16

Just a reminder for those players that travel from out of town, that the Gardiner will be closed both directions from the DVP to Humber River. So take your time if your time!

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