Iowa State students should start digging through their closets for their softball gloves and warming up their arms for the first 100- inning softball game on April 25.

The Richardson Court Association Intramural Committee is sponsoring the event which will take place on diamond six at South River Valley Park in Ames.

Play will begin at 8 a.m. and will finish at 11 p.m.

All proceeds from the tournament will go to the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Iowa Affiliate.

The cost per inning is only 50 cents with a maximum of $10 paid. Those who play four innings will also receive a T-shirt.

Jason McLatchie, RCA intramural chairman, said the idea came from an article in Sports Illustrated.

He said he and his committee, which includes Ryan Lange, AHA liaison and creator of the Web page; Rita Peters, T-shirts; Mark Holmgren, promotions; and Jeff Bennett, scheduling, have done an enormous amount of work to make the event a success.

“This committee has really worked hard and I can’t stress enough the excellent job they are doing to make this game a success,” McLatchie said.

The group has been preparing for the event for more than five weeks.

Lange said AHA was enthusiastic about the event and has given the committee a lot of support.

AHA has provided a letterhead, fliers and information, he said. It is also contacting local businesses for sponsorship.

The committee chose to donate the money to AHA because exercise is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease, McLatchie said.

“I expect to fill all the innings. For those who like softball, four innings, $2 and a T-shirt would be hard to pass up,” he said. “Although we are hoping to have people come out and play more than just four innings.”

If two groups want to play against each other, McLatchie said the committee would be more than willing to schedule the games.

Currently, RCA Student Government and Government of the Student Body are “home run” sponsors for the event, which means they have donated more than $250.

Birch-Welch-Roberts Programming Board has pledged money and is a “single” sponsor.

More information on sponsorship can be accessed through the event’s Web page, http://129.186.180.101/AHA_Softball/.

The tournament is open to anyone.

Teams are also encouraged to sign up for a block of innings. Some of the teams scheduled to compete include Harwood House who will play five innings against Torin Akey’s team.

Corporate challenges will also be honored.

Anyone wanting to participate or sponsor the event should contact Jason McLatchie at 296-3327. Donations to the AHA will also be accepted at the game.