About the NLWSL

League Fees | About ASANA

The Northern Lights Women's Softball League was created by women, for women, and is governed by women. We were founded in four basic principles:

  1. Women committed to and promoting softball.

  2. To provide lesbians an opportunity to play softball in a comfortable, friendly, and safe environment.

  3. To provide networking for lifelong friendships.

  4. To enhance lesbian pride and commitment through the support of other lesbians.

Northern Lights Women's Softball League is open to ALL women - regardless of age, ability or sexual preference.

This league was established in 1987, and is currently one of the largest independent women's lesbian softball leagues in North America; in the previous season (2008) 22 teams competed in three divisions:

  1. Division 1 (A and B)
  2. Division 2 (C and high D)
  3. Division 3 (D and Beginner)

Our league runs from late April through August, on Sundays during the late afternoon and evening, at Dunning Fields off Lexington Avenue and Interstate 94 in St Paul, MN.

League Fees

Sponsorship Fees are $325/team (includes 6 balls) and Individual Player/Membership fees are $20/person.

1st place teams in all divisions earn a berth to ASANA World Series, held each year in a different U.S. city.

NLWSL is affiliated with the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA) .

What is ASANA?

Created in 2007, the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA) is a new non-profit sports association dedicated to promoting amateur athletics for the gay and lesbian community. ASANA's current focus is on the development and support of women's softball with 26 member cities and as host to the Softball World Series. Before emerging as our own organization, the women's division was part of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) with our first women's division competition played in Milwaukee, WI in 1985. Moving forward, ASANA will continue to grow and support gay and lesbian athletics for all.

The Benefits of ASANA

So, why should your team and league join the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America?

  1. Promote: women's and lesbian sports in general.

  2. Promote: lesbian sports with current focus on women's softball on a national level.

  3. Competition: opportunity to participate in an organized, competitive and fun national softball tournament.

  4. Tourism: experience the sights and sounds unique to each host city of the Softball World Series.

  5. Socializing: Opportunity to meet new people from 26 member cities.

  6. Networking: Opportunity to share and exchange ideas.

  7. Prestige: ASANA is the largest single sport lesbian organization.

  8. E-communications: join ASANA Facebook and MySpace.

  9. Partnerships: Enjoy the benefits of ASANA corporate partnerships.