The WIAA Executive Board Approved on Tuesday, April 18, adjustments to both the 1B and 2B State Baseball brackets to better accommodate the 12-allocation bracket that both classifications will utilize this season. The action was taken by the Board after receiving support from the 1B and 2B baseball seeding committees as well as District Directors.
The change will increase the number of games at the championship site, advancing the final four teams to participate in semifinal games on Friday followed by trophy games on Saturday. With semifinal games being moved to the championship site, both the opening round and quarterfinals will now be played on Saturday, May 20. Previously, the 12-team bracket only hosted the championship game at the final site and the opening round was played midweek before the weekend of quarterfinal games.
These adjustments will more closely replicate the championship experience of other classifications while also eliminating travel days. Additionally, the format will eliminate midweek games, a benefit for both schools and umpires.
Last year was the first year that equitable entry tournaments were implemented after WIAA Handbook Rule 22.1.1 was passed by the WIAA Representative Assembly. Prior to the rule being passed, State Baseball Tournaments consisted of either 8-entry or 16-entry formats.