This weekend, law students from across the country will have the chance to release a little of their stress at the 19th Annual Virginia Law Softball Invitational.
The tournament is run by the North Grounds Softball League, an organization made up of the many softball enthusiasts at the University Law School.
This year, the tournament will host 90 teams from more than 50 different law schools, including Harvard, Yale and the University of Chicago and from as far away as San Diego, Calif.
The organizers believe it may be the oldest and largest graduate-student athletic event in the nation.
"The U.Va. Law Softball Tournament has provided a great opportunity for law students across the country to come together in the spirit of friendly competition," said tournament co-director Melissa Forcum. "It also provides them with a welcome opportunity to partake in some of our law school's finest traditions - beer, barbecue and hopefully nice weather."
In addition to presenting a chance for graduate students to relax, the tournament also serves a more important cause.
Part of the money from the entry fees goes to Charlottesville Children, Youth and Family Services, Inc. Last year $7,500 was raised, and the tournament organizers hope to beat that total this year.
Last year's tournament also donated $1,000 to the Public Interest Legal Association, a University Law School group dedicated to legal work in the private sector.
The tournament consists of two brackets: "co-rec," in which at least four of the 10 players on the field must be female, and the "regular" division, which has been historically all male, although women are welcome to participate.
A University team won the "co-rec" division last year, as well as both of the divisions several times throughout the history of the tournament.
This year's tournament will also include a men's and women's Home Run Derby, a tournament barbecue and a Saturday evening party at the Biltmore Grille and O'Neill's Irish Pub.
The tournament begins Friday night with registration and plays through the weekend at The Park complex at North Grounds and other fields throughout Charlottesville. The final game will be held Sunday afternoon.
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