Families looking for a fun, affordable event and baseball fans hoping to see future major leaguers are looking forward to the 91st annual NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, July 24-Aug. 2. The majority of games will be played at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium with the grand Championship Night returning to downtown Wichita at Equity Bank Park.
Locals refer to this as “the NBC,” and since 1935 summer teams have come to Wichita to compete for a national championship. The event showcases the best of the best: close to 900 NBC World Series players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, from Satchel Paige playing in the event’s infancy to current All-Stars like Ryan Helsley.
Here’s what you’ll find at this beloved Wichita baseball tournament:
A storied Wichita baseball tradition
In 1934, sporting goods salesman Raymond “Hap” Dumont convinced the city of Wichita to build a new stadium in order to host a national baseball tournament. The first NBC tournament was a huge risk on his part, as similar tournaments had failed miserably on both coasts.
In 1935, baseball legend Satchel Paige played in Wichita during the first NBC tournament, marking the only integrated team at that time – and they won the game! Securing Paige – considered the greatest pitcher of the day – that first year helped make the tournament an instant success. He struck out 60 batters and won four games, garnering national media coverage for the tournament.
While Dumont was ahead of his time in many ways, perhaps one of his most impactful promotions involved hiring women as umpires for the National Baseball Congress National Tournament. In 1943, Dumont hired the first female umpire, Lorraine Heinisch, to umpire one game.
Top collegiate baseball in Wichita
This historic baseball tournament has brought elite amateur, collegiate and semi-pro baseball teams to Wichita to compete for a national championship every summer for nine decades.
There is a field of 16 teams, including league champions and independent at-large teams invited from across the country. Four pools of four teams each will compete over the 10-day period, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to a single elimination bracket to determine a national champion Saturday, Aug. 2. Take a look at the full schedule.
Baseball ‘Round the Clock set to return
A fan favorite – Baseball ‘Round the Clock – will return this year. Fans will have the opportunity to watch 11 games over the course of 33 hours, starting at noon on Saturday, July 26 and running through a 6 p.m. game on Sunday, July 27.
Affordable ticket options
Individual tickets range from $12 to $15 general admission and are good for all of that day’s games. Seniors, students and members of the military can get $6 general admission tickets for weekday games and $9 general admission tickets for weekend games. Kids 2 and younger are free if they are lap sitting. Kids 3 and older need a ticket. If you plan to attend the entire tournament, buy a discounted tournament pass for as low as $75 general admission and $150 reserved seating. Visit nbcbaseball.com for tickets.
Fan-friendly atmosphere
The fan-friendly atmosphere at Eck Stadium includes plenty of free parking around the stadium, multiple entrances and tall grandstands providing shaded seating options. Families love the outfield seating on Coleman Hill, where you can bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers with food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Plus, the tournament features promotions such as:
- July 24 – Opening Night
- July 25 – Military Appreciation Night
- July 26-27 – Baseball ‘Round the Clock: 11 games in 33 hours
- July 26 – Cornhole Tournament
- July 28 – Pizza Hut & Taco Bell Buyout Day
- July 29 – Sonic Buyout Night
- July 30 – Midwest Ford Dealers Buyout Night
- July 31 – Heartland Heroes Day
- Aug. 1 – Aviation Night/Alumni Weekend
- Aug. 2 – Championship Night/ Little League Night/ Alumni Weekend
Make plans to enjoy the nation’s premier amateur baseball event in Wichita this summer and find a full list of events happening during your stay in Wichita on our calendar of events page. For even more inspiration, check out our Official Visit Wichita Visitor’s Guide.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
