A Potential Shift in Kansas Baseball Postseason Logistics
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) has signaled that if the University of Kansas were to be selected as a host for an NCAA baseball regional, the state’s 4A, 3A and 2‑1A championships would be relocated from Lawrence to Manhattan.
The NCAA is slated to reveal its regional host sites on May 24, a timeline that adds urgency to the conversation among coaches, administrators and fans who have been tracking the projected selections.
Kansas currently sits among the top candidates, with rankings placing the program at No. 14 in the nation and analysts projecting it as one of the 16 regional hosts.
Should the move materialize, it would not alter the postseason trajectory of Manhattan High School, which competes in Class 6A and would continue on its own path through the state tournament.
The shift would leave the softball state tournament untouched, preserving its traditional venues while the baseball championships adjust to a new setting.
Schedule details released by the association show that quarterfinal games for the affected classifications are set for May 25, with semifinals for the 2‑1A and 3A brackets slated to begin on May 27 and championship finals across all three divisions scheduled for May 29.
Seedings add another layer of narrative: Rock Creek enters the 4A East bracket as the top seed with a 21‑4 record, while Wamego holds the fourth spot at 18‑6. Council Grove, the premier seed in its 3A regional, boasts an impressive 24‑1 record.
Other teams such as Wabaunsee saw their season end with an 8‑7 loss to Doniphan West, and Riley County along with Blue Valley‑Randolph failed to qualify for the postseason.
If the relocation proceeds, the change would ripple through local communities, potentially boosting attendance and economic activity in Manhattan while reshaping travel plans for teams and families across the state.
The upcoming NCAA announcement will provide the final clarity on whether the vision of a Manhattan‑based regional becomes reality, setting the stage for the next chapter of Kansas high school baseball.