BEING PROUD
19,000 PLAYERS AND GROWING.
Being Proud is who we are—on the field, behind the plate, and across generations of iPride community
GETTING TO KNOW
Dave Oliver - Hamilton, Ontario
For Dave Oliver, finding his place in Hamilton, Ontario, began with a move, two
dogs and a search for community.
Originally from Montreal, Dave moved to Toronto in 2011 before eventually settling in Hamilton. He knew a few people in the city, but wanted to build a wider circle
of friends and find activities that would help him feel at home. While exploring what Hamilton had to offer, he kept coming across the Steel City Inclusive Softball Association (SCISA).
Dave had played baseball from T-ball through high school and even spent some time umpiring. But after nearly 15 years away from team sports, returning to the diamond would mean rediscovering a part of his life he hadn’t thought much about in years. The opportunity to meet people mattered just as much as the opportunity to play.
When he discovered there was a waiting list to join SCISA, Dave took it as an encouraging sign. Here was a thriving community that people actively wanted to
be part of. He signed up, secured a spot and arrived for his first new-player field day curious about what came next.
AN AFTERNOON THAT FELT LIKE BELONGING
His introduction wasn’t a high-pressure tryout. It was a relaxed afternoon of
stretches, warm-ups and conversations with other new players. Dave remembers
seeing hundreds of people, many of whom were also looking for friends,
connection or a safe place to enjoy sports.
The atmosphere transformed his curiosity into excitement. He saw people laughing, hugging and greeting friends across team lines. It didn’t matter which team someone played for; the connections extended beyond any single roster.
That feeling continued through his first season. Coaches Jeff Lindstrom and Rich
Sullivan helped Dave find his footing as he returned to the game. Jeff, who also served as league commissioner, became a close friend, while teammate Bryan Feheley brought humor, encouragement and plenty of time practicing together. Both helped make Dave’s return to softball welcoming and fun.
Those early relationships grew into something lasting. Many of Dave’s closest
friendships in Hamilton today began directly through SCISA—or through the
people he met there. A league he joined to play softball had become an important part of his life in a new city.
FINDING THE RIGHT TEAM
Dave’s experience also taught him that everyone comes to softball looking for
something a little different. Some players thrive on intense competition; others place greater value on the social experience, skill-building or simply enjoying the game with friends. Team chemistry matters, and finding teammates whose expectations align can make all the difference.
After experiencing different team dynamics, Dave took a year away from SCISA and played in another recreational league. The break helped clarify what he valued most about inclusive softball: the opportunity to compete while still feeling supported, respected and connected.
Then Jeff invited him back—with a twist. Would Dave consider coaching?
Dave wasn’t sure he was experienced enough. Some of the players he would lead knew far more about the game than he did. But he accepted, sharing coaching responsibilities with a close friend who was also new to the role.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE FROM THE DUGOUT
Rather than feeling he needed to have every answer, Dave approached coaching as an opportunity to learn alongside his team. Experienced players helped with lineups and strategy, and SCISA’s coaching clinic offered guidance on the practical and personal responsibilities of leading a team.
His Sunday team didn’t dominate the regular season, although it came close to winning the end-of-season tournament. What Dave remembers most, however, is how much fun they had.
He wanted his players to take two principles from their season: treat people with humanity and respect, even when competition gets heated, and keep learning regardless of how long you’ve played.
For Dave, those ideas belong together. An inclusive league can encourage players to develop their skills and play great softball without losing sight of the people sharing the field. Coaching gave him a chance to help create the environment that had drawn him to SCISA in the first place.
MORE THAN A GAME
Asked to describe inclusive softball in one word, Dave kept returning to “community.”
He sees it in the way first-time players and lifelong athletes can share a roster, in the friendships that cross team lines, and in the work of volunteers and league leaders who make room for different experiences and abilities. He appreciates that SCISA emphasizes both a welcoming environment and meaningful opportunities to improve as a player.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is how much the experience has changed his relationship with team sports. Although he played baseball growing up, he never considered himself especially drawn to team athletics. Finding an inclusive and supportive environment showed him how enjoyable being part of a team could be.
He’s grateful, too, for the people who make that possible. Dave recognizes the often-thankless work of league leadership and the care required to support members whose needs and experiences aren’t all the same.
WHAT HE HOPES THE NEXT PLAYER FINDS
Dave hasn’t yet taken his softball journey onto the wider tournament circuit, but
he’s open to the possibility. For now, his story is rooted in Hamilton: the friends he made, the game he rediscovered and the unexpected satisfaction of helping others grow.
When he thinks about someone joining SCISA tomorrow, his hope is simple. He wants them to find the same unexpected friendships and welcoming community he found—and, especially if team sports haven’t always been a positive experience, to discover how different the game can feel when the people around you make room for everyone.
Dave came to SCISA looking for a way to play softball and meet people. He found a
community he could contribute to, one teammate at a time.
