ASHLAND, Ky. – Three-time champion Kona Krushers and former champion Greek Wiffology headline a 40-team field for the seventh annual Amy For Africa Wiffleball Tournament on Aug. 10 in the corner lots of Unity Baptist Church.

The tournament has raised more than $20,000 in the first six years for the Amy For Africa mission that educates and provides for the impoverished in Uganda.

“Everybody wins in this tournament but especially the children we support in Uganda,” said Amy Compston, co-founder of the AFA mission. “We are so thankful for so many people who come out to help us with the tournament and all those teams that play and donate to AFA.”

Kona Ice is the corporate sponsor for the tournament which has become a community highlight before the beginning of the new school year.

Of course, the tournament isn’t just for the young. In fact, there are probably far more over 30 than under 30 among the 160 Wiffleball players that will be taking the field starting at 8 a.m. and lasting until about 5:30 p.m. when after nearly 48 games are played a champion is crowned.

Matt Vincent is the tournament director. He said the pairings “were about as fair as we could make them. I don’t think any team has an advantage. You win or go home.”

Defending champion Five O’Clock Hitters nor previous fan favorites and former champion L-Train were able to play this summer. “Their absence opens up some opportunities for some other teams to have a better shot at holding the trophy at the end,” said Vincent, who will also be playing for Dunder Wifflin.

There are some marquee matchups including special first responder battles. The Ashland Fire Department meets the Ashland Police Department in an opening-round game at 1:20 p.m. that’s sure to bring new meaning to the word rivalry. Two years ago the AFD defeated the APD in a first-round game but couldn’t make it to the next round so forfeited. APD made the most of the second chance, advancing to the championship game before losing to Kona.

Boyd County Jailers, a first-time entrant, meets Boyd County Sheriff’s Office the game after AFD-APD. So the first responders will be playing from about 1:20 to 2:20 on the two fields.

The losers and winners of those first-round games meet in the next game.

While Kona and Greek Wiffology are the tournament favorites, several other teams have emerged including the Summit Nazty Boys And Girl, who picked up Ashland Kitten softball slugger Lauren Spears.

Experienced teams like WashedUp, All About That Base, Brooks Bombers, Summit Nazty Boys, Greene Machine, House of Grace and Kenner’s Kings are in the running for the title.

A Home Run Derby will be contested at 3 p.m. after games are played leading to the quarterfinal round starts at 4 p.m.

Larry Bailey, B.J. Brammell, Vincent and Mark Maynard are the field crew and umpiring supervisors.