The 57th annual Over-The-Line Tournament will keep Fiesta Island true to its name when modified softball enthusiasts take a swing starting July 10-11, 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 — all while raising money for charities. Created in Mission Beach, OTL is comprised of four innings and no base running, with the objective to hit 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. Historically, teams keep OMBAC on its toes with creative and colorful team names. This year, however, the OTL committee was a bit disappointed with names lacking the double entendres organizers are accustomed to — names typically not suitable for print seemed more popular. While uninhibited names add to the experience, OMBAC member Duke 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,” he said. “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 predetermined times. There are, however, other banned “Bs:” no bottles, no bowsers (dogs), no babies, no birds and no boas (snakes). There is also 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 and other details about OTL, visit http://www.ombac.org/over_the_line/index.html. Admission is free.