KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kirkland is in the center of the softball world this week.
The city is hosting the "24th Annual Junior League Softball World Series," which welcomes rising 13 and 14-year-olds from across the world.
The "Junior League Softball World Series" has been hosted in Kirkland since 1999. Despite being broadcast on ESPN throughout the years, it's still considered a hidden gem.
"This is a big event,” said Steve Allen, the director of the tournament. “In Little League, there's only seven of these World Series, and Kirkland has one."
The tournament features 10 softball teams from around the world, including teams from the Philippines and the Czech Republic.
"A great event for the City of Kirkland to get them out of the shadow perhaps of Seattle and show them as their own entity," Allen said.
City officials said the tournament, the largest annual event in Kirkland, brings in hundreds of people and amounts to about $300,000 in economic impact.
"It brings in the crowds," Allen said. "it brings up the noise level, brings up the excitement level which is just incredible that's where it all starts. And that's where it all belongs. It's something you want to see and witness."
Despite the excitement, Monday's games were delayed.
"That's just typical Washington weather,” Felicia Kotsakis said. “We just got a little unlucky today."
But Kotsakis and her teammate Lehar Sindhwani said they are feeling lucky to represent Kirkland on the biggest stage in softball.
"It means a lot and it's a really good opportunity," Sindhwani said.
"To me, it shows how much effort we put and playing reflects all of our hard work," Kotsakis said.
The girls said win or lose, it's a week they'll never forget.
"A lot of work to put this on initially but I'll tell you the satisfaction, the gratification to seeing these girls and the fun they're having and the relationships they develop is very impressive and that's what makes it all worthwhile," Allen said.
The games are free and open to the public. They will be played at Everest Park in Kirkland throughout the week.
The championship game is set for Aug. 3 at 1 p.m.