Nearly 500 girls’ softball players, their families and supporters are converging on Topeka for a three-day national championship tournament at Lake Shawnee.

The United States Specialty Sports Association Class C National Championships for age divisions 14U, 16U and 18U kick off with a skills competition Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m.at Shawnee County Parks and Recreation’s Bettis Family Spots Complex. Opening ceremonies follow at 2:30 p.m. with a welcome by Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook and John Knight, director of Shawnee County Parks and Recreation.

Tournament play begins Thursday at all Lake Shawnee fields. Championship games in each age division will be played Saturday. Admission to the tournament is $10 per day or $25 for a tournament pass for adults and $5 per day or $12 for children.

“Visit Topeka and Midwest Sports Productions have a great partnership,” said Mike Bell, vice president of sales for Visit Topeka. “The 40 teams involved in this national tournament benefit from Topeka’s great facilities during play and attractions and opportunities during downtime. Our community benefits from nearly 900 room nights during the tournament.”