Chuck Dima, Gay Softball Pioneer, Dies at 81

Chuck Dima, who founded the Big Apple Softball League and is one of the earliest to promote the sport among gay men in the U.S., has died after a battle with cancer.


Said Sam Lehman, commissioner of the Southern New England Friendship Softball League, via Outsports:

"Chuck was often called the grandfather of gay softball; he was widely credited for being one of the founders of gay softball in the US. Chuck owned a bar in New York City and was constantly being asked to play softball with a group of gay friends; this led to the Big Apple Softball League. Chuck was born in 1929 and was a pioneer in the world of gay sports, we all have him to thank for our Sunday afternoon games."