The Swinging Fossils brought a championship home to South Florida after taking first place in the Legends C Division at the 2026 iPride Gay Softball World Series in Columbus, Ohio, over Labor Day weekend.
Part of the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association (SFAAA), the Swinging Fossils traveled to Columbus to compete against LGBTQ+ softball teams from across the country. Led by manager Manny Rodriguez, the Fossils put together an impressive tournament run, playing 10 games over three days and finishing with a 9–1 record.
That one loss came late in the tournament, dropping the Fossils into the losers bracket and putting their championship hopes on the line. The team responded by battling back and finishing the job to take first place in Legends C.
As the Fossils made their final push, something pretty special started happening around the field. Players from teams across several divisions gathered to cheer them on, turning the championship run into something bigger than one team’s pursuit of a trophy.
It was a reminder of what LGBTQ+ softball is really about. The competition may happen between the lines, but the friendships and sense of community extend far beyond them.
This past Sunday, the Fossils gathered at Gym Bar, a longtime sponsor of the team, for a championship celebration. The team officially presented its World Series trophy to Gym Bar as teammates, friends, and supporters relived favorite moments from the tournament, both on and off the field. The celebration was also a chance to recognize Gym Bar for its continued support of the team and the important role local businesses play in building community.
For the Swinging Fossils, the championship is as much a celebration of friendship and community as it is a victory on the field. But the story doesn’t end with this championship. These Fossils aren’t going extinct anytime soon, and they’ll be back with their sights set on gold once again.
2026 Swinging Fossils World Series Team:
Daniel Brodhagen, Fabian Calero, Kevin DeNell, William Eckels, Ed Kitsos, Michael Mann, Johnny Martinez, Robert Martinez, Carmine Mastropolo, Wilfredo Morales, Adam Oswald, Nathan Phillips, Manny Rodriguez
Gym Sports Bar
2287 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (Google Maps | Apple Maps)
