The 2026 South Dakota Class B state amateur baseball tournament has been officially scheduled, bringing 32 teams together for a twelve‑day showdown at Cadwell Park in Mitchell. Competition will run from August 5 through August 16, culminating in a championship game set for Sunday afternoon.
Bracket Structure and New Rules
This year’s draw introduces a notable adjustment: district champions and runners‑up will no longer meet in the first round, a change intended to increase early‑round competitiveness and reduce rematches of familiar opponents.
Opening‑round matchups begin on Wednesday, August 5, with the Parkston Mudcats taking on Elk Point at 5:30 p.m., followed by a contest between Kimball/White Lake and Valley Springs at 7:30 p.m. Subsequent nights will feature round‑robin play through August 12, leading into the quarterfinals on August 13 and 14.
Semifinals are slated for August 15, and the title game is tentatively placed at 2 p.m. on August 16. The schedule was designed to keep the tournament’s momentum steady while allowing teams adequate rest between contests.
The event will be covered by Lance Dierks, a Mitchell Republic reporter who specializes in prep and collegiate athletics across the region. Dierks’s portfolio includes extensive coverage of football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, track and field, as well as South Dakota State football.
Regional Representation
Teams hail from across South Dakota and neighboring states such as Nebraska and Iowa, reflecting the tournament’s growing regional appeal. The field includes representatives from Dell Rapids, Canova, Burke, Redfield, Larchwood, Iowa, and many other communities, underscoring the breadth of amateur talent in the Upper Midwest.