By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
With a new commissioner for the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) this year, the Great Bend Recreation Commission adjusted to new direction for operating the 2024 KCAC Baseball and Softball Championships this spring.
The conference tournaments concluded the first weekend in May at the Great Bend Sports Complex, and Rec Director Chris Umphres said the event ran smoothly despite rain delays.
"I don't know how many people from the community come out and watch," said Umphres. "It's more attended by the colleges obviously. We do a community night. The school is good about sharing the facility that week."
In a joint effort with the City of Great Bend, the Recreation Commission has hosted the KCAC tournaments for the past 11 years. Now the Rec will focus on the high school Class 2-1A State Baseball tournament next week.
"When you come from KCAC with three fields to KSHSAA with one field, it's a pretty easy tournament to run," said Umphres. "Hopefully our local teams will be playing somewhere for state. There shouldn't be an issue with sharing the complex with the school district."
The State Baseball Championship will take place May 23-24 with a total of eight games.