The 5th annual Chi-Town Softball Classic will be held over July 4th weekend, with about 35 teams set to compete on the eight fields at two separate complexes: North Avenue and Waveland.
"We're anticipating another successful tournament, just like last year," said tournament director Gary Taylor, who heads the eight-person tournament committee.
"There are more out-of-state teams this year, which we're happy to see."
The tournament, which fielded 30 teams last year, will have 10 teams in the C-Competitive and C-Recreational divisions, and up to 15 in the D-Division. Some of the D-Division teams will be all women's teams.
There will be 18 local teams, down from 21 in 2009. No Chicago team won its division in 2009.
There will be teams participating from Atlanta, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Memphis, among other cities.
The tournament's opening and registration party will be Friday, July 2, at Boystown spots Halsted's and Hydrate, with the closing party and awards ceremony taking place Sunday, July 4, at Spin Nightclub. Roscoe's will serve as the official tournament host bar Saturday, July 3.
"There's nothing like summer softball in Chicago," Taylor said.
Chicago will host the 2011 Gay Softball World Series.