Southern Tier to Host State Baseball Showdown
From June 12 through June 15, the Southern Tier of New York will serve as the stage for the 2026 NYSPHSAA Baseball Championships, presented by Visions Federal Credit Union. Twenty‑four high school teams representing six classifications will compete for state titles, with semifinal matchups held at Mirabito Stadium, Binghamton University, and Union‑Endicott High School.
The tournament’s field includes familiar contenders such as Niagara Falls from Section VI, Massapequa from Section VIII, and West Genesee from Section III, each carrying distinct storylines. Defending champions Horseheads, representing Section IV in Class AA, will look to retain their crown, while Grand Island and Averill Park meet in the Class A semifinals. Medina returns to the final four after a strong run last year, and Saratoga Central Catholic, a former state champion in Class C, is back in the semifinal mix. Oriskany, the 2025 Class D champion, also returns to defend its title.
A notable rule change this year introduces a double first base, designed to increase safety and strategy on the basepaths. Al Roy, a spokesperson for the association, highlighted the innovation as a forward‑thinking addition that aligns with the sport’s evolving standards.
Semifinals and Finals Schedule
Semifinal games will kick off on Friday, June 12, spreading across the three venues mentioned earlier. The championship finals are slated for Saturday, June 15, delivering a full day of title action as each class crowns its champion. This condensed schedule allows fans to experience multiple high‑stakes games in a single weekend.
Tickets for the event are priced at $13.60, inclusive of all fees, and can only be purchased online through the official tournament portal. Additional details, including schedule updates and venue information, are available at nysphsaa.org.