Families looking for a fun, affordable event and baseball fans hoping to see future major leaguers are looking forward to the 89th annual NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, Aug. 3-12. All games are scheduled to be played at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium.
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-Star Ryan Helsley.
"The NBC World Series has been a summertime tradition for Wichita for almost 90 years," said NBC Tournament Director Katie Woods, "With fireworks, giveaways, appearances from legends like Maybelle Blair (former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player) and entertainment like Tyler's Amazing Balancing Act, this year is going to be a celebration that we can't wait for the community to enjoy."
Here’s what you’ll find at this 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. Securing Satchel Paige – considered the greatest pitcher of the day – that first year helped make the tournament an instant success. Paige struck out 60 batters and won four games, garnering national media coverage for the tournament.
Top collegiate and amateur 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 nearly nine decades. Last year’s champions, the Santa Barbara (California) Foresters, receive an automatic bid as do the 2022 runner-up Hays (Kansas) Larks.
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 on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.
From Aug. 3-10, there are games daily at 12, 3, 6 and 8:30 p.m. Two games are played on Aug. 11 with start times of 6 and 8:30 p.m.
Affordable ticket options
Individual tickets range from $10 general admission to $15 reserved seats and are good for all of that day’s games. Seniors, students and members of the military can get $5 general admission tickets for weekday games and $7.50 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 $75 general admission and $90 reserved seating. Visit nbcbaseball.com for tickets.
Promotions to make attending even more affordable include:
Youth Wear a Jersey, Get in Free! presented by Evergy: All kids 14 and under who wear their youth sports jersey to the game receive free entry when accompanied by a paid adult.
$5 tickets at QuikTrip: Fans can purchase single-day, general admission tickets for $5 at all Wichita QuikTrip locations. General admission tickets can also be upgraded to reserved tickets at the WSU box office for an additional $5.
Military Appreciation Night presented by Davis-Moore Auto Group: BOGO ticket for all current and former military members with Military ID or DD-214 at the box office on Friday, Aug. 4.
Teacher Appreciation Day presented by Mel Hambleton Ford: BOGO for all local educators and school employees with work ID at the box office on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
First Responders Night: BOGO ticket for all first responders and medical personnel at the box office on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
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.
Watch social media as the tournament nears for details on nightly promotions such as Military Appreciation, Kids Take Over, Teacher Appreciation, First Responders Appreciation, Carnival Night and more. There will also in-game giveaways ranging from a poster freebie to a youth jersey giveaway.
Get your tickets now and plan to enjoy the nation’s premier amateur baseball event in Wichita this summer.
