PORT ANGELES — Some of the best men’s softball teams in the state will come to Port Angeles to participate in the 18th annual Larson Invitational this weekend.
A total of 18 teams, 10 from the North Olympic Peninsula, will compete Saturday and Sunday for the tourney title at Shane Park and Elks Playfield.
Event organizer Jeff Larson says fans can expect some pretty high-level play once things begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
“We have a pretty wide variety,” Larson said. “We have teams that are coming just to have fun. . . . and there are some other teams that are fairly competitive.
“But there’s probably 10 of the 18 that will be playing in the state championships later in August, so it’s fairly competitive.”
Among the out-of-town teams competing are squads from Kirkland, Port Orchard, Bremerton and Bellingham.
While last year’s tournament champion, Peaks Pub, isn’t officially competing, its offshoot club, R Bar, will suit up for the festivities.
Teams will be separated into four pools.
Round-robin games will go most of the day Saturday at Shane Park and Elks Playfield, with play coming to an end sometime around
6:30 p.m.
That will be followed by a spaghetti feed at 8 p.m. at Front Street Alibi, 1605 E. Front St., in Port Angeles.
Play resumes at 9 a.m. on Sunday with an 18-team, single-elimination tournament.
That ends with a championship game at 4 p.m. at Shane Park.
Admission is free to both parks.
“Unless it’s raining buckets, we’re going to play the thing,” Larson said. “There’s nothing we can do otherwise.”
