Rivals by nature, Thousand Oaks and Conejo Valley Little Leagues have decided to join forces to help fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)- also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Beginning today, the two leagues will host the fourth annual Strike Out Lou Gehrig's Disease Tournament, which lasts through the weekend.

Over its first three years, the tournament has raised nearly $250,000 to help find a cure. With TOLL on board for the first time, the two leagues said their goal this year is to raise $100,000.

Thousand Oaks helped supply fields for the tournament last year, but this is the first time the league is a full-time contributor.

"Usually the CVLL are professional crosstown rivals with us, but this is a big deal," TOLL president John Short III said.

"We put our gloves down, so to speak. I'm proud to be associated with (CVLL president) Rob McAfee in this important cause."

The tournament features divisions consisting of 8, 10 and 12year-olds. Games will be held at Conejo Valley Community Park, as well as Colina and Fiore fields, all of which are located in Thousand Oaks.

McAfee said one reason for holding the tournament is to inform people of the disease so they wouldn't make the same mistake he did with Gary Hard, who died from ALS a year ago.

Hard "was always dragging the infield dirt, even though he was in a wheelchair," McAfee said. "I thought that was real nice of him, so I went over to say that I thought what he was doing was great. He just stopped, looked at me for a while and then went right by me without saying a word. My first impression was, 'Wow, what a jerk this guy is.'

"I quickly found out that he had ALS, and that the disease made him unable to speak or really make any kind of facial impression, such as a smile. Then I felt like a jerk. After that I wanted to spread the word of just how sudden and terrifying this disease really is," McAfee said.

The disease gained widespread attention when Gehrig, a New York Yankees slugger in the 1920s and 30s, was diagnosed with ALS in 1939.

Only five years after winning the American League Most Valuable Player award, on June 2, 1941, Gehrig passed away from the disease, and a cure has yet to be found. According to the ALS Association, as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time.

The tournament has grown to include 16 teams that come from as far away as Hawaii. Competition begins today with an opening ceremony that includes a barbecue and a home run derby.

CytRx, a biopharmaceutical company and one of the biggest fighters against ALS, is the tournament's main sponsor. Natural Balance Pet Foods, Easton, and Ernst and Young will also be sponsoring the event.

Youth players will be able to contribute as well. Whenever a batter hits a home run, Natural Balance Pet Foods will donate $100. When a pitcher strikes a batter out, $10 will be donated.

"The best part of this tournament is watching the kids smile when the person over the loudspeaker announces that the home run the young player just hit helped raise money," cotournament director Rob Fanto said.

"The kid knows they are doing their part, and it usually brings a smile to their face."

Short said he expects the local community to once again rally around the cause.

"I love this tournament because it brings the two best parts of culture together- baseball and people helping each other out," he said.