Alex Veltri Inducted: 00/00/0000

He started his career in Seattle as a part time bartender in 1967 at the Silver Star, the Columbus Bar and the historic Double Header. Who could have ever predicted from that point, that he would rise from those smoke filled rooms to become one of the most remembered and revered people in Seattle gay softball history.

Did he bat .750 every year? No. Was he a lanky shortstop that made plays that would make your heart skip a beat? No. Was he a power hitter that anchored a batting line up? No. In fact, according to those that remember him – they actually don’t remember if he even ever owned his own glove or for that matter, ever even swung a bat. He was an average guy… he was not an athlete. – However, he was at the games and definitely found time to yell at the umpires and cheer on his teams.

Alex is not remembered for his phenomenal play making ability, rather his amazing ability to think about his community and how he could make it more whole.

He was the owner of a number of Seattle historic bars including: the Elite (opened in 1970?), the Elite II and the Encore. Even though he owned bars, one of his goals for the gay community was trying to facilitate gay men meeting outside of bars. He often tried to organized things outside of the bar community – including events like Eater Egg hunts for single parents and their children. He noticed that organizations like the Court of Seattle and the Knights of Malta were getting people together outside of the ‘bar scene’ and always that that was healthy for the gay community. He fully believed that events that did not 100% focus in or around bars would help self esteem, friendships and most importantly develop a real sense of community.

During Potlucks at his bar on Friday nights, he would often pass the hat to see if his patrons would support his team(s)

He started sponsoring in the gay league by telling the guys on a Friday afternoon that if they created a team and some energy – he would make sure that it was paid for and he would support it 100%. He rarely told people this, but in addition to making sure fields, uniforms and equipment were paid for he would often help pay for traveling expenses for players that could not afford to go to out of town tournaments.

He was not only a philanthropist to the Gay Softball league – but he also was a force in the grass roots fundraising efforts that brought the GSWS to Seattle in 1995.

He died of a heart attack (while waiting for a bus to go to the hospital) and is still missed by MANY of his friends.

“A guy with a heart as big as all outdoors” is how he was described by one of his best friends. (George Ray, KCTS Television.)

He was born in PA, he was close to his family.

Words used to describe him were: Organized, Motivated, Friendly and Kind to everyone he ever met. If he had one fault it was probably his overwhelming generosity.

The teams that he sponsored were always decked out in full uniform and he was sure that they had the equipment that they needed.

His big team (most successful) was the Elite Bat Boys. He also was a very big proponent of making sure that his team

The story goes that the team took on a straight team in Woodland Park and they guys came out in full force (complete with 3 guys in drag as cheerleaders) and the gay men filled the stands. Heckled at first – the team held their own and by the end of the game the other 6 teams that were also playing at that complex were asking about how they could recruit those gay guys from the team! That game was umpired by George Ray.

He was one of the first (if not THE first) to sponsor more than one team in a single year. He sponsored three teams in the league.

During his many years in Seattle he was also named Emperor in the Court of Seattle. He was always first class in everything he did and traveled extensively during his reign.

In addition to supporting the gay softball league – he also gave generously to the Seattle Men’s Chorus and to local Public Television.