INTRODUCTION:

The Emerald City Softball Association, referred to as ‘ECSA’ or ‘league’, is proud of our twenty-one year history. As a league we have gone through all the usual growing pains, struggling through some tough years while mourning our losses and relishing the good times while cheering our victories. However, like any organization it is the people that volunteer their time, efforts and professional abilities that keep associations, like the ECSA, growing.  As a league, we have never nominated one of our members for such a prestigious honor as the NAGAAA Hall of Fame. We have considered it for several years, but have always put the issue on ‘hold’ - wanting to first establish our own sense of history within the ECSA.

This past year we successfully created the Emerald City Softball Association Hall of Fame.  We are excited about the responses and the great memories that were recollected. Through the number of ECSA Hall of Fame applications and nominations, it is clear that we have an individual in our midst that has been a staple and a guiding force in our league for its entire duration. Nick Bacetich, was not only voted in to be one of our first ECSA Hall of Fame inductees, but also did so with the only UNANIMOUS decision. To be a member of any organization for twenty-one years and not solicit a single "no" vote for such an honor, indicates to us, that Nick has not only been successful in all that he has done, but has also been able to reach beyond his own team and touch every player and division within the ECSA in a positive manner.

It is no secret that in order to be a contributing factor in a national organization such as NAGAAA - you must have a strong foundation in your own local organization. We feel Nick Bacetich has been an instrumental part of our foundation throughout both our league history and our participation in NAGAAA.

ECSA LEAGUE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Served as ECSA Secretary (1983-1984)
• Served as ECSA Vice-Commissioner (1985-1986)
• Served as ECSA Commissioner (1997-1998)
• Served as a team Coach (Both Open Division and Women's Division)
• Served as Co-Sponsor to several teams over the years.
• Nick has been/is an active player since 1982 and has been named an "All-Star" several times over the years - most recently in the 2001-2002 season.
• In the mid-80's, Nick participated in the Elite Batboy Team, which won the City of Seattle Metro Championship and earned the team a front page story in the Seattle Times. (This proved to be a positive groundbreaking article about gay athletics in the Seattle area)
• Nick has always been available for the league as its legal counsel and other matters involving professional legal review.
• Nick has volunteered for many tournament assignments, including serving most recently as the Protest Committee Chair for the Emerald City Classic 2002.
• Nick was instrumental in drafting the current ECSA By-Laws, which governs both the Open and Women's divisions.
• Nick also assisted our league accountant, Maggie Webb, in making application and qualifying for "non-profit" corporate status in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

NAGAAA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Nick worked diligently in helping to bring the NAGAAA World Series to Seattle in 1995 and was a big part of the success of the NAGAAA World Series '95.

Nick was instrumental in putting together the Seattle bid for the NAGAAA World Series '95, which included (for the first time) a video presentation he helped organize, write and produce.  This video included "welcome" messages from the Mayors of Seattle and the City of Kent together with remarks from Representative Cal Anderson, Washington State's first openly gay legislator.

An avid golfer, Nick also organized the first golf tournament ever held in association with a NAGAAA World Series Event.

Nick personally negotiated and helped draft the very first National Sponsorship contract with Miller Beer for the NAGAAA World Series 1995 in Seattle.  He also was solely responsible for procuring several donations from local area businesses, which helped sponsor the Series in Seattle.

Nick was also an assistant coach to the Women's Encore Team from 1993-1995 that placed 3^rd in the GSWS of 1995 and also garnered recognition in an ASA National Tournament in Arizona.

Nick has participated in a number of NAGAAA World Series Tournaments - including Nashville, Boston, San Diego, Seattle, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

He also served on a NAGAAA committee to assist in reviewing its articles.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Nick has generously given of his personal time and finances having "quietly" helped finance several players over the years so that they were able to participate in league and tournament play in Seattle as well as around the country.

As an attorney, Nick has graciously volunteered his time professionally to assure that the Emerald City Softball Association is abiding by all city and state statutes, federal codes and laws.

He has chaired the Membership Committee for the ECSA and was responsible for organizing and running numerous tournaments for the league.

Nick has also has organized several fundraisers (on behalf of our league) for other non-profit organizations such as NW Aids Foundation, Rise 'n Shine, Lambert House and Chicken Soup Brigade.

After twenty-one years of existence, the Emerald City Softball Association is proud to be nominating Nick Bacetich for the prestigious honor of being inducted into the NAGAAA Hall of Fame.  Nick has not only helped to create and maintain a tremendous local organization, but with his participation in the NAGAAA GSWS of 1995 - from the initial bid presentation to the closing ceremonies - he helped to take that event to a much higher level.

So, it is with tremendous pride and an entire league's support that we submit Dominic "Nick" Bacetich as a nominee for induction into the NAGAAA Hall of Fame.

Regards,

The Emerald City Softball Association Open Division Executive Board

Mike Farris, Commissioner

Gary Carter, A/B Commissioner

John Koch, C/D Commissioner

Greg Bannish, Tournament Director

Craig Hickey, Secretary

Dug Wehage, Membership Director