There have been a lot of descriptions that have been given to Dug Wehage during his years in the Emerald City Softball Association. ("The Guy with the Ballet Pitch", "The Nancy Reagan", the "Bad Cop", "Coach", "Player", "The LOUD Guy", "Queen of the World series 2002", "The Membership Guy" and the list goes on and on...) However, no matter what you may have heard him called or have called him yourself, the reality is that his is a big reason that our league turned the corner from a small league in the northwest - to the large well respected national league that we are today.

It is because of his many amazing accomplishments and genuine love of this league that I am proud to nominate Dug Wehage for the ECSA Hall of Fame.

Dug Wehage joined the league in 1995. During that time, he has worn many hats, those include, a player, a coach (sometimes to multiple teams in one year), a pick up player for tournaments, an Executive Board Member, a certified ASA Umpire, as well as the creator and the Committee Chairperson for the ECSA Hall of Fame.

Although, he is a great competitor and always plays to his best ability, Dug always remembers that this is a community and that everyone should be involved. He has done so much over the years to not only increase the competitiveness in the league, but also remembers to have FUN! The "Bow of Intimidation" that he wore for two years was a ratty old bow on top of his head - just to remind folks that you can play hard...but in the end, it's a game, and most importantly - it's about community.

ECSA Positions Held:

• ECC Assistant Tournament Director
• ECC Tournament Protest Committee
• ECSA Membership Director (6 Years)
• ECSA Team rep to the Board (9 Years)
• ECSA Gay Softball World Series Committee ‘08 Co-Chairman
• ECSA Hall of Fame Committee Chairman
• Team Seattle Emerald City Softball Association Representative

Notable Accomplishments in the ECSA

• Coached / Co-Coached (single or multiple teams) for 9 years (Many to championships)
• Managed teams (or multiple teams) for 10 years (Many championship teams)
• Coached/Managed several tournament and pick up teams
• Organized/Started/Structured the ECSA Hall of Fame
• Implemented the ECSA ‘Skills Clinics' for new players
• Assisted in the creation of the D division (formerly C rec)
• Completed one season schedule for an ECSA regular season
• Played/Coached on 5 teams that won the Spirit/Sportsmanship Awards

Awards that Dug Wehage has been nominated for or won in the ECSA:

• 1997 - C Division All Star 2nd Baseman - Winner
• 1998 - C Division All Star 3rd Baseman - Winner
• 1998 - Co-Coach of the Year - Winner
• 1998 - Pac Cup Team MVP Award - Winner
• 1999 - C Division All Star 2nd Baseman - Winner
• 2000 - Commissioners Special Recognition Award - Winner
• 2001 - Manager of the Year Award - Winner
• 2001 - Inspirational C Player of the Year Award - Winner
• 2001 - 2nd Team All Star Pitcher - Winner
• 2003 - C Division Coach of the Year - Winner
• 2003 - C Division MVP - Nominee
• 2003 - C Division Most Inspirational Player - Nominee
• 2003 - Emerald City Classic C Division MVP - Winner
• 2003 - Commissioners Special Recognition Award - Winner
• 2004 - B Division MVP - Nominee
• 2004 - B Division Most Inspirational Player - Nominee
• 2004 - B Division Manager of the Year - Winner
• 2005 - B Division Coach of the Year - Nominee
• 2005 - B Division All Star Pitcher
• 2006 - B Division Coach of the Year - Winner
• 2006 - B Division Manager of the Year - Winner
• 2006 - B Division MVP - Nominee
• 2006 - B Division Most Inspirational Player - Nominee
• 2006 - ECSA Exec Board "Difference Maker Award" - Winner

Notable Tournament Wins/Placements

• 2000 ECC 3rd Place C Division (Manager/Player)
• 2001 Cascade Cup C Division Champions (Coach/Player)
• 2002 ECC 2nd Place B Division (Manager/Player)
• 2002 GSWS 5th Place C Division (Coach/Manager/Player)
• 2003 Cascade Cup C Division Champions (Coach/Manager/Player)
• 2003 ECC C Division Champions (Coach/Manager/Player)
• 2004 Palm Springs Winter Classic C Division Champions (Coach/Manager/Player)
• 2004 Autumn Classic 2nd Place B Division (Manager/Player)
• 2005 Minneapolis Tournament B Division Champions (Co-Coach/Manager/Player)
• 2005 Minneapolis C Division Champions (Coach)

ECSA regular teams:

• 1995 - Changes C Team - C Division 2nd Place
• 1996 - Changes Cruisers - C Division Champions
• 1997 & 1998 - Changes Cruisers
• 1999 - Changes CHAOS! - C Division Champions
• 2000 - Bannish CHAOS! - C Division Champions
• 2001 - Timberline/Bannish CHAOS! - C Division 2nd Place
• 2002 - Timberline CHAOS! - C Division Champions
• 2003 - Timberline CHAOS! - C Division Champions
• 2004 - R Place Shock - B Division 1st Place Tie (3rd after deciding tournament)
• 2005- R Place Shock - B Division
• 2006 - R Place Shock - B Division Champions

Random other accomplishments / crazy items:

• Put in tons of hours compiling a lot of ECSA league history including past winners, commissioners and award winners.
• Represented Seattle at the GSWS 2002 and was crowned "Miss Gay Softball World Series 2002"
• On a team that was featured on Canadian News during Toronto GSWS.
• Quoted in Seattle Times about how, as the Membership Director, the ECSA was growing when the national trend of playing softball was dwindling.
• Went to the 2005 GSWS in Seattle dressed as a campy cheerleader (Changes Cheerleader) to cheer on the Seattle teams.
• As Membership Director, created SEVERAL teams and found them sponsors and uniforms.
• Quoted in "Outsports.com" as to why there was so much growing success in the league in Seattle.
• Once played on a team that never wore the same uniforms twice in a single season!
• Participated on a number of tournament and GSWS Protest Committees.
• Emceed / coordinated several ceremonies and events.
• Started his softball career wearing a skirt with his buddy Mike.
• Wore the "Bow of Intimidation" (a crazy little dollar store bow on his head) a number of seasons.
• Played on a team that wore "hand dyed" pink uniforms.
• Co-create the "Cheer Hymnal", a book of over 100 cheers, several of those cheers are now being used and requested nationally!
• Hosted several Miss Gay Softball Pageants (One year came out in a pink 2 piece bikini! YIKES!)

Attended Tournaments in the following Cities:
Seattle, Vancouver BC, Portland, San Jose, Palm Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, Phoenix, Kansas City, Toronto, San Francisco, Washington DC, San Diego, Mercer Island, Chicago, Minneapolis, Chehalis.

Conclusion:
Dug Wehage is a truly deserving candidate for inclusion to the ECSA Hall of Fame. I don't believe that you will find very many people in the history of this league that have dedicated more time to more teams and individual players than he has. He is always willing to lend a hand during ceremonies, helping out a team on a weekend during a practice, answering questions for new coaches and managers and being there to listen about how you're doing. While he doesn't always have the most "popular" opinion on every issue - his convictions are deep and are always for the betterment of the league - not for personal gain.

Dug Wehage has made a point of making sure this league was MORE than just about athletics and athletic people. He has helped create a league where EVERYONE, no matter age, sex, orientation, weight or ability, is welcome.

Dug Wehage is a huge factor as to why this league is the amazing community that it is.