Eighty-four softball games scheduled over four days can only mean one thing: It’s time, once again, for the start of the Rotary Softball Tournament.

Defending men’s champion DLB and reigning women’s titleholder Gerb’s Tap return as the 37th annual, double-elimination tournament begins 5:30 tonight at Lincoln Park. There are 27 teams entered in the men’s field, while 16 teams compete for the women’s crown.

The championship round begins with the women’s final 4 p.m. Sunday. The men’s final is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Admission is free with concessions available.

All but five games of the tournament will be held at Lincoln’s four diamonds. Unless there is rain, Anderson Park is needed for just two games on Thursday and three on Saturday.

“That is huge,” tournament director Debbie Capodarco said. “This should hopefully get the crowds to the same place and keep them there.”

DLB went 6-0 in cruising to last year’s title. The team, also sponsored by Sports Physical Therapy, Bella Sole Tan and EWS, knocked off JayBee Auto/Coins, 17-7, in the championship round.

DLB pitcher Justin Wicinski was named the tournament’s MVP, going 3-for-4 with a homer, double, two RBI and two runs in the final.

Capodarco planned for a 32-team men’s field, but received only 27 entrants. There were 30 teams last year.

“I guess I was happy to get twenty-seven considering softball doesn’t seem to be the sport of choice anymore,” Capodarco said. “I remember when I played, it was five nights a week the lights were on in every single diamond in the city. For my generation, the Rotary is like a family reunion every year. It’s just not like that anymore for our younger generation.”

In last year’s women’s division, Jen Burris had two hits and scored one run in leading Gerb’s Tap over Scores, 6-5, in the title game. The two teams meet in the first round 6 p.m. Thursday at Lincoln No. 3.

DLB has a first-round bye and faces either Sunnyside/Miller Lite or Scores Irish/Toppers Pizza 6:30 p.m. Friday at Lincoln No. 2.

All proceeds for the tournament are returned each year to local charities and organizations.