The 57th annual Over-The-Line (OTL) Tournament will once again keep Fiesta Island true to its name when modified softball enthusiasts take a swing starting July 10-11 and concluding July 17-18. Nearly 60,000 spectators are expected to flock to Mission Bay for one of San Diego’s most popular summer traditions. The event, sponsored by the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC), mixes spirits, sport, entertainment and food while raising money for charities. OTL, created in Mission Beach, is comprised of four innings and no base running, with the objective of hitting the ball “over the line” roughly 55 feet in front of the batter. The double-elimination competition begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at dusk. More than 1,200 three-person teams will compete. Mission Beach resident Mike Curren and a few friends are credited as the young men behind the game. Around six decades ago, the group played volleyball in Mission Beach, known in those days as Old Mission Beach. While waiting around, the friends laid out a court in the sand and created this game. “I moved to San Diego in 1969, and I played my first tournament in 1970,” said longtime OMBAC member Duke Marston. “We didn’t have roped courts. We’d drag a line in the sand and then put soda cans out. It was considered to be 22 steps to create the lines.” As the media coordinator for nearly 20 years (now retired), Marston helped develop OTL as San Diego’s can’t miss summer event. Marston’s legwork has helped many generations enjoy the summer pastime. One of the many reasons San Diegans keep coming back is the tourney’s unapologetic approach to team names. This year, the OTL committee was a bit disappointed. As a whole, names lacked the double entendres organizers are accustomed to — names not suitable for print seemed more popular. While uninhibited names add to the experience, Marston believes the competition element keeps chaos at bay, on the bay. “It’s a sporting event with a party atmosphere,” Marston said. “If it were just a party, it would be tough to keep control. With 50 games going on at a time with six players per game, that’s 300 people playing all the time, all day long. Four thousand people are entered in the tournament in one way or another. There are a great number of people out there because they love the sport. Then, there are lots of others who come out because they heard it was such a fun time, and that’s fine. But it’s a sporting event.” Opening weekend is expected to be the most festive as spectators enjoy a special break in the beach’s booze ban. The city issued a special event permit, which allows the consumption of alcohol in designated areas during pre-determined times. OMBAC has a small list of items that are other banned during the tourney — also known as the “Bs:” no bottles, no bowsers (dogs), no babies, no birds and no boas (snakes). Plus, limited bike use. Marston has a recommendation for those with more reserved taste. “If you wanted to come out and just get the flavor of the sport, come out the second weekend,” Marston said. “If you want to see the whole spectrum, the whole deal, come both weekends. By the second weekend, we get the seeded teams. By the last Sunday, it’s not very much party at all, it’s all sporting event.” For information on complimentary bus transportation, reserved parking or anything O-T-L, visit ombac.org. Admission is free. On a side note: Fiesta Island: Home to Over-The-Line Tournament The Over-The-Line Tournament moved a few times before settling on Fiesta Island. The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) brings its 57th annual Over-The-Line Tournament back to Fiesta Island for one simple reason — it’s big enough. In its first two decades of existence, the tournament moved a few times due to size restrictions. Mariner’s Point was one such location, a locale that limited the event to 200 teams. “When we found Fiesta Island, it was a totally unused area,” said OMBAC member Duke Marston. “There was brush and whatever. We sort of carved it out, it’s not real sand, it’s more dirt than anything else, but it works and we play 50 games at a time. And, so, we have enough space to do that.” More than 1,200 teams are expected this year. And like the previous three decades, Fiesta Island will play host, so San Diegans can play ball. Beach softball, that is — Amberly Dressler