The 57th annual World Championship Over-The-Line Tournament starts tomorrow at Fiesta Island, complete with the traditional colorful team names and an abundance of revelry.
The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, which puts on the tournament, expects as many as 55,000 spectators to attend the four-day tournament, which stretches over two weekends.
Over-The-Line is a modified form of beach baseball/softball in which the goal is to hit a ball over a line 55 feet away. Games last four innings and there is no base running.
The tournament features more than 1,200 three-person teams, competing for trophies in 10 divisions. Organizers said teams from as far away as Germany, Japan and Iceland are taking part.
Despite San Diego's beach booze ban, organizers were granted a city permit that will allow people to consume alcohol in designated areas during the tournament.
The tournament, which began in San Diego, is famous for its debauchery and off-color team names. Some of the more colorful team monikers from last year's winning roster included "Old Farts With Young Hearts," "Slippery When Wet," "Street Divas" and "It's Not Pretty Being Easy."
Parking at Fiesta Island fills up quickly, so organizers recommend that spectators take advantage of free shuttle busses to the event from Belmont Park and the Linda Vista Trolley Station.
