By the time this paper ends up in your hands, the National Softball Association Western World Series will be well underway with games taking place around Snohomish County.

The tournament includes pool play and bracket play, with teams divvied up by age. Each age bracket is broken down further into pool play, where teams face off against a small number of bracket rivals. From there, the teams’ records against each other will seed them into an elimination bracket.

Although the Western World Series features teams from Canada, Nevada, Oregon and California, local teams will appear in more than one division. In the 14A division, both the Stilly Valley Crusaders and the Snohomish County Express compete. The 12A bracket features Marysville-based Blaze 97 and Lake Breeze competes at 18U, featuring several local softball players.

Bracket play is underway with schedules and locations available at the Western World Series website, http://www.nsayouthwws.com/.