Thousands of the nations' top gay amateur athletes are in Central Ohio for this week's Gay Softball World Series.
Organizers say more than 5,000 participants from 43 cities and 20 states will compete in the week-long series in Berliner Park.
Chris Balton is commissioner of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, which hosts the tournament. He says Berliner’s 31 fields give the series a unique feel.
“It’s the one place where we can have all 184 teams together, and it’s an experience that you have to be a part of to feel it," Balton says.
The teams are split into five divisions according to skill and age.
Opening ceremonies are tonight with games running tomorrow through Saturday.
Festivities will also include celebratory events through the city and a concert featuring country singer Ty Herndon.
