SAN DIEGO – The 72nd annual
Over-the-Line World Championships
tournament sponsored by the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club concludes July 19-20 on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay.
A multitude of players will compete with their bats, balls, and most creative team names to kick off the annual signature summer tradition.
Trademarked by OMBAC, the bat-and-ball OTL sport is a variation of softball using rope, a softball bat, and a rubber ball. Three-person teams pitch, bat, and field. The game is played on a sand court resembling a triangle attached to an open-ended rectangle.
OTL was created in the 1950s by a group of individuals from OMBAC while waiting for a volleyball court on South Mission Beach. The tournament moved locations before settling at Fiesta Island in Mission Bay in 1974. OTL has since attracted thousands of players and spectators and become a beloved summertime tradition known for its unique blend of sport and entertainment.
Tom Doyle, head of marketing for OMBAC and OTL chair, talked about what’s new in this year’s tournament. “We have a new co-ed division,” he said, adding that the new division was added “to have another outlet for softball players who want to get into the tournament and play the game. We always want to make sure as many people as possible get an opportunity to play the sport. And it’s the main fundraiser for our club, which works a lot with nonprofits and youth sports.”
Discussing what to expect from OTL’s final weekend, Doyle said: “The first weekend is a real party atmosphere, and those teams often don’t make it to the second weekend. Those players (in the final weekend) are more serious.”
One of the three-member teams in the Women’s Open Division for OTL this year, Sanjo Roostmade, consists of Marisa Tirri, Dewey Fleet, and Kelly Park. They return this year to defend their championship title. Team spokesperson Tirri is an old hand at the game. At age 45, she’s been competing for 20 years. She said age has not been an obstacle for her competing alongside her two considerably younger teammates.
“If you have experience with defense, and especially as a hitter, you can still compete at a high level even against the youth,” Tirri said, adding that if their team wants to come out on top again this year, they’ll have to win perhaps as many as 7 to 10 games depending on how they’re seeded.
Tirri said OTL can be challenging. “You’re running around in sand in 80 degrees playing sometimes long games that are exhausting both mentally and physically,” she said.
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The sport runs in Tirri’s family. “My mom, my number one fan who is now retired, won the championship 14 times,” she said. “I have won seven times.”
Discussing the strategy of the hybrid game, Tirri noted: “Pitching and location is the most vital part of the game for any of the players. I have two extremely good hitters on my team. If they don’t get a hit, it’s because my location was likely off. Even after having played with them for years, I still have to remind myself specifically how different I need to pitch to them, and how important each pitch to them is.”
Why does Tirri keep returning to OTL every year? “I’ve loved watching the sport evolve, and to see groups of girls playing in their 20s, seeing how good they’re getting and how much they’re getting into the game,” she answered. “I can see that they have the ‘bug,’ and it reminds me of how much I loved it in my 20s. It’s a cool thing to see these ladies getting so good that they surpass you and get even better than you.”
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OMBAC’s origins
The
Old Mission Beach Athletic Club
dates back to 1954. It is a San Diego-based nonprofit. During its 70-year history, OMBAC has supported many organizations and individuals through charitable donations of money and/or labor. The club defines its goals as promoting and sponsoring youth sports along with educational, philanthropic, and civic activities. Proceeds from OMBAC’s activities and events have supported a wide range of local, national, and international beneficiaries. UCSD Moores Cancer Center, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Junior Lifeguards, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and men’s rugby, softball, and lacrosse have all benefited from OMBAC’s fundraising.
OTL rules and regulations:
Over-the-Line is a public event and requires no ticket or entrance fee to watch the games and enjoy the tournament. However, it is not appropriate/safe for children due to crowds, bat and ball-related games, and language.
The no “B’s” rule:
Bottles, bicycles, bowzers (dogs), babies, boas, bad attitudes, battles (fighting) are strictly enforced. Drones are prohibited.
Alcohol rules:
No glass, kegs, or Styrofoam coolers, and you must be 21 years of age.
Nudity rules:
Public displays of nudity or violations of the San Diego Municipal Code (Section 56.53) are illegal and will not be tolerated.
Bicycle rules:
Bikes are prohibited within the dunes; store your bike at the bike racks. OMBAC is not responsible for your bikes; lock them up. Bikes must be picked up each day.
Info:
Visit
OMBAC RV
and
Paid Parking
for more.
