By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
High School sports fans in Kansas have seen plenty of consolidation recently when it comes to host sites for state tournaments. Beginning this fall, there will be three state championship football games held at three separate sites and cities. In 2026, state basketball tournaments will shrink to four sites for seven classifications and 14 championships.
For now, state baseball will remain with five classifications, and Great Bend Recreation Commission Executive Director Chris Umphres said Great Bend was chosen again to host the Class 2-1A Championships.
"It's that time of year again," said Umphers. "I know we just got through the summer, but the contract came through. We look to host 2-1A state baseball again."
This past May marked the 10th year that Great Bend was chosen to host the Class 2-1A State Baseball Tournament at the Great Bend Sports Complex.
"KSHSAA has signed the agreement," said Umphres. "We just email that back to them. We get board approval since we put some money toward it and try to put on a good event for them."
The Great Bend Rec Board approved the agreement with a 5-0 vote.