Field of Dreamers, Season 7
If you build it…
A wind. A breeze. A fly ball. A cheer from the crowd. A possibility. A community.
Field of Dreamers began as a respite and then a whisper. Our league originated way back in 2007 – as a space for organizers (primarily with No One Is Illegal-Toronto) to blow off some steam in the midst of daily organizing against deportations and detentions. Our team was made up of organizers both with and without migration status. We used it as a place to be social and make connection – and soon we began to invite organizers from other projects to join. Folks from the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, from the Oshkimaadziig Unity Camp, from CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group.
Many of us identified as queer/trans*/non-binary and playing in mainstream Toronto leagues like Toronto Sports and Social Club (now Jam Sports) was rife with misogyny, transphobia, and toxic masculinity. So, we began to whisper. What if we could create a space of play that both affirmed trans*/non-binary and other bodies that are often pushed out of organized sports and also created a space of encounter and connection for movement organizers, our extended friend networks, and the people who congregate at the parks that we play.
Bringing Field of Dreamers to life was a struggle but now it is in its 7th season and we have built a community both on the field and beyond. Many of our players have been organizing in various networks against the Israeli occupation and genocide in Gaza, we have supported the Toronto Encampment Network, Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction, Black Lives Matter and other movement work in the city through our league funds and social connections.
Last year, we hosted a talk at the Toronto Public Library to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Christie Pits riots – where Jewish baseball players fought back against Nazis marching to disrupt their game at Christie Pits park – the state did then as it is doing now and attacked those resisting fascism. Field of Dreamers honours and situates itself in the long tradition of queers fighting against authoritarianism – and within the longstanding struggles against settler colonialism, white supremacy, anti-Black racism, misogyny, and ableism.
Like all political projects – we are a work in progress – and like in baseball we acknowledge that failure is part of the process – we’re just trying to fail better.
Welcome to season 7 – thanks for joining in our community – and we invite you to also join with us in struggle.
Credit River Rascals (3-0-0)
Those silly rascals, they’ve got the northern touch. They are blasting balls all over the field. They are nearly making triple plays. They are getting teams to scramble and devise a plan to contain their potent offence! The Rascals have started the season with three convincing wins! Taking victories both close and distant from Humber, Rouge, and Garrison – Credit River starts the season with three wins and a lot of cheeky grins, those silly rascals.
Humber River Heartbreakers(0-3-1)
Some teams just live up to their name. Four games in and Humber has lost a number of heartbreakers – a tie, a one run loss, and a two run loss – a team that is going to get its footing a make you feel alllll the feels. So pack up your midwestern emo albums and bust out your sweet sultry soaking wet on the dance floor tracks – because Humber RIver is bound to get very hot as the summer starts to sizzle. Expect to see them hit their groove right around the Pride Game on July 7.
Rouge River Rendez-Vous (1-2-0)
There’s this spot I know, down the hill across the treeline. It’s close to the dog bowl in the park. There’s a memorial plaque there in memory of Will Munro. Will’s spirit of queer community building is where we rendez-vous at least once during the season – to recommit to the project of planting seeds, creating encounters, building the society’s we wish to see now. The Rouge River team is embodying such a spirit this season. With heart and grace they’ve earned a first week victory against Humber followed by two misses against Don and Credit.
Continue reading “A Season for Lovers & Dreamers”