71st annual Over-the-Line World Championships at Fiesta Island

The 71st annual Over-the-Line World Championships is held on back-to-back weekends, with the second weekend July 20-21, at Fiesta Island on Mission Bay.
Several hundred players will compete with their bats, balls, and most creative team names to kick off the annual signature summer tradition.

Trademarked by OMBAC, the 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 originated in San Diego dating back to 1954 on the sand of Mission Beach, where a group of beach volleyball players, awaiting an open court, grew antsy and began brainstorming ideas to pass the time. OTL was the result.

Tom Doyle, OTL chair, said OMBAC is pioneering something new this year, a Men’s Camitt Division allowing gloves to be worn by players, previously forbidden in all divisions. That’s OK with 19-year-old Kasey Regala, who is captain of his Men’s Camitt team named BiggieBallz.

“This is the first year for OMBAC to have a glove division in the world championships,” he said adding, “Right now, I’m still playing baseball and I didn’t want to go out there and risk my hands for my baseball season. Being able to use a glove is helpful.”

Regala enjoys the novel sport and its strategy. “Being able to have bat control, knowing what shot you want to hit before the defense is moving, and also being able to read a hitter or a defense is completely different than softball or baseball,” he said adding encourages others “1,000%” to try OTL.

“It’s super fun to watch and super fun to play,” he said. “Just being on the beach with a lot of other people and having good food and drink and a fun experience every year: You can’t beat it in San Diego.”

For Stephanie Watson, 56, an insurance broker who is captain of her OTL Women’s Open Division team named John’s Automotive CLV, this is her 30th straight tournament. Her team finished first in the Women’s Open Division in 2023.

Describing herself as a “diehard” Over-the-Line player, Watson said she “loves competition, the sport, and I take it very seriously.”

She characterized OTL as “the big tournament,” noting there are four or five other smaller, similar tournaments serious players compete in leading up to OTL. Typically, Watson will play on the same team for a few years and then change squads. Her current team is all veteran women.

“If you add up our ages, we’re going to be the oldest (women’s) team, at 155 years, in the Open Division, as we have players who are 56, 57, and 42 years old,” Watson said adding OTL competition is always “a fun party atmosphere.”

Would she encourage others to participate? “It’s so much fun to compete and meet and greet people,” Watson said of OTL. “For me, I’ve got to do something competitive, feed that urge. This is a good outlet to be competitive and also have some fun.

After competing for 30 years I now call my OTL team my family. We’re close and enjoy each other. We do other things outside of OTL.”

Visit ombac.org/over-the-line/ for more information.

ORIGIN OF OMBAC

The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club’s official beginning was in 1954. Springing from friendships of the late ’30s, ’40s, and early ’50s, the spirit and attitude of OMBAC evolved in Old Mission Beach. During its 70-year history, OMBAC has supported many organizations and individuals through charitable donations of money and/or labor. The club’s articles of incorporation define its goals of promoting and sponsoring youth sports as well as 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.

OTL RULES & 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, and battles (fighting) are strictly enforced. Drones are prohibited.

Alcohol rules: No glass, kegs, or Styrofoam coolers, and you must be 21 years of age. 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, so be smart to bike and store your bike at the bike racks. OMBAC is not responsible for your bikes, so lock them up. Bikes must be picked up each day.

Parking: Go to ombac.org/over-the-line/ for more info.