The road to a second straight city softball championship became a little shorter for Woman’s Touch Painting/Big Shotz.

With last weekend’s games washed out due to rain, the 45th annual Kiwanis Breakfast Club City Softball Tournament will try again 6 p.m. tonight at Poerio Park.

The original 28-team men’s field was reduced to 25 teams, giving WTP/Big Shotz a first-round bye.

The defending champions were originally scheduled to face Remax Elite/Buffalo Wild Wings in the first round.

Remax Elite/Buffalo Wild Wings is one of three teams to drop out of the tournament along with Rasmusson Electric/Bella Sole Tan and Kenosha Tap/Pick & Save.

The women’s tournament was cancelled as five of the eight teams withdrew.

“We just decided to cancel it,” tournament director Greg Feivor said.

“I would’ve played with four (women’s) teams and put together a nice, little round robin.

“But with just three (teams), what’s the point?”

The double-elimination tournament continues 9 a.m. Saturday and concludes with the championship on Sunday afternoon.

The final will be played at a time to be determined.

WTP/Big Shotz won the title last year as Woman’s Touch Painting/Big Shotz/Ug Motors.

The team pulled out a 10-6 victory over DLB/Coins to force a second championship game and then exploded for a 39-24 victory to take the title.

The City Tournament is a major fund-raiser for the Kiwanis.

The profits will be donated to area organizations such as the Shalom Center, Women and Children’s Horizons and Kenosha Police Department Canine Unit, according to Feivor.

Proceeds will also be used to fund college scholarships for Kenosha students.