ELKHART – Fast-pitch softball fans will have the chance to see some outstanding competition this weekend.

The USA Softball Fast Pitch Men’s Open East National Championships, for the second straight year, will be contested at the Riverview Softball Complex in Elkhart.

The tourney will feature 14 teams, including Marshall Lightning from Marshall, Michigan, which were the champions of the top division in 2016. Also back are Diamonds Dogs and Tiffanys Fastpitch, which were co-champions of the Silver Division a year ago, when a rainstorm put an early end to the tournament.

Each team is guaranteed at least four games in the event, which has a two-tier bracket. Any team that goes 0-2 or 1-2 in the Gold double-elimination bracket then drops into a new Silver double-elimination bracket. Winners in both the Gold and Silver tournaments will be USA Softball National Champions.

The tourney will include a trio of local teams i the Goshen Gators, DC Outlaws and Creal Heating & A/C Bullets.

Play begins at 4 p.m. Friday with four games. The opening welcome is set for 6 p.m. with games continuing Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

A weekend pass is available for $15 or tickets are $8 per day. Children under the age of five will be admitted for free.