EVENT DETAILS

Great Lakes/Midwest National Championship

  • Tournament Date
    Jul 14 - Jul 19 2026
  • Entry Fee
    $798

Lodging Notice

Please be advised that the Great Lakes/Midwest National Championship has a "stay to play" requirement, meaning that all participating teams and attendees must book their accommodations through the designated housing provider(s) affiliated with the event.

  • Stature
    National Championships
  • Age Groups
    8U - 18U
  • Event Details

    Please go to Event Page for additional information on this tournament

    If teams do not have a record in USSSA, they will have to play up a division. For example a 16B team would have to play up to 16A or a 16A team would have to play up to 18B.

  • Entry Fee

    $798

  • Gate Fee

    $575

    We charge a team spectator gate fee of $575 for each team in place of the normal individual gate fee for spectators.  By doing this, everyone can come and go as they please (no wristbands required) and not get stopped every time they enter the park. Invite grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends without worrying that they have to pay to watch their player. Ultimately, teams will save much more by paying a team gate fee vs an individual gate fee. This fee is in addition to the tournament entry fee and must be paid by June 1st, 2026

Tournament Division

Division Entry Fee Gate Fee Max Entries Teams
Entered
Game
Guarantee
Format

Event Ballparks

Venue Name Address Maps link
O'Fallon Family Sports Park 301 Obernuefemann Rd, O'Fallon, IL, 62269 Open in Maps
Plummer Family Sports Park 7757 Goshen Rd, Edwardsville, IL, 62025 Open in Maps
Venue Name
O'Fallon Family Sports Park
Address
301 Obernuefemann Rd, O'Fallon, IL, 62269
Venue Name
Plummer Family Sports Park
Address
7757 Goshen Rd, Edwardsville, IL, 62025

Hotels

Note: If you don't know which venue you'll be playing at and want to book in advance, click here to find hotels that are geographically centered between all venues.

Venue Name Address Dates Details
O'Fallon Family Sports Park 301 Obernuefemann Rd, O'Fallon, IL, 62269 Jul 14-19 Find Hotels
Plummer Family Sports Park 7757 Goshen Rd, Edwardsville, IL, 62025 Jul 14-19 Find Hotels
Venue Name
O'Fallon Family Sports Park
Address
301 Obernuefemann Rd, O'Fallon, IL, 62269
Dates
Jul 14-19
Venue Name
Plummer Family Sports Park
Address
7757 Goshen Rd, Edwardsville, IL, 62025
Dates
Jul 14-19

Payment

PAYMENT:

Only teams who are registered and paid will show as approved. If your team is in a pending status, you are not guaranteed a spot.

Payment deadline is the “last day to enter” date on the public website. If the event is full or close to full, the payment date may be moved up to ensure commitment to the event.

If a team on the waiting list pays before a team in the actual event, the team on the waiting list will be moved into the actual event.  The last, unpaid, team to enter the event will be moved to the waiting list.

Accepted forms of payment are listed below:

1. Pay online via manager page on USSSA website

2. VENMO – @Lori-Strode24 – Indicate team name and event you are paying for

3. PayPal – [email protected] – Indicate team name and event you are paying for

4. Check – must be received 1 week prior to the event. – Indicate team name and event you are paying for

Make Payable to: Play It Forward Sportz

Mail To: 587 Pebble Brook Ln, Shiloh, IL 62221

Play It Forward Sportz Zero Tolerance Policy

Event Updates

All trophy ceremonies will take place immediately following the 4th place, 3rd place, and Championship games. Ceremonies will be held in the front of the complex near the drop off/fire lane on the south end of the complex. Good Luck today!
July 18, 2026 - 09:44am
if you are parked in the drop off area in front of the quad in the fire lane, you need to move your vehicle immediately, or it will be towed
July 17, 2026 - 05:16pm
One of the players lost her key fob. It is a single black key fob. If you have found it or find it in the future, please turn in to one of our staff.
July 17, 2026 - 03:11pm
Please begin headed to your fields and warming up your pitchers. We will begin soon
July 17, 2026 - 02:24pm
The lightning reset. We are at 15 min. Im not going to continue to update everytime it resets. Lol. When it's clear you will hear 3 tones. Stay close to the fields please
July 17, 2026 - 02:05pm
Check your pockets. IPhone found between fields 3 and 4
July 17, 2026 - 01:47pm
Fizz and swirl dirty sodas are here at the red quad between fields 5 and 8.
July 17, 2026 - 12:00pm
Ross Monroe please come to the sales table in Blue quad to claim your wallet!
July 17, 2026 - 11:59am
Winners for the scavenger hunt will be announced at three pm today
July 17, 2026 - 10:00am
Teams, photos for the scavenger hunt need to be uploaded by 1pm today to be considered for the prizes!
July 17, 2026 - 09:22am
ATTN: 18U!!! For whatever reason the database is showing MP/SO 9 as MP/SO 11 on the bracket. Games 2, 4, 5, 10 and 11 for the 18U bracket are on field MP/SO 9!
July 16, 2026 - 09:48pm
T-shirts are here!
July 16, 2026 - 03:25pm
If you did not have a rep attend the coaches meeting and and have not checked in, or you have not picked up your pre-ordered tshirts or trading cards. Please do all of those things at red quad!
July 16, 2026 - 11:18am
Global Brew Tap House is one of our sponsors. Please visit their restaurant here in O'Fallon for some great food and drinks! They also have two mobile trailers on site that offer tasty adult beverages. 🤣 https://ofallon.globalbrew.com/food
July 16, 2026 - 10:21am
As a reminder, your seed moving into the bracket is your seed that you finished pool. So, if you finished 1 in your pool, that is your seed in bracket. If two, 1 seeds meet in bracket, you will flip for home. That will be your seed throughout the tournament. Higher seed will be home except for the Championship game. In the Championship game the team in the winners bracket will be home.
July 16, 2026 - 07:01am
Casa Maria Food Truck is here! Sitting between Red and Blue quad on the south side of the park! Yum!
July 15, 2026 - 11:17am
Marucci is onsite at the red quad between fields 5 and 8. They have all batting and fielding gloves 50% and last year's bat for $250! Come visit Phil with Marucci to get discounted gear!
July 15, 2026 - 10:00am
July 14, 2026 - 07:00pm
The skills competition updates can be found under the leaderboard tab in the USSSA App. Awards will be given for the following ages, which align with the divisions in this event. 9U-10U 11U-12U 13U-14U 15U-16U 18U The results will be announced during the opening ceremony, after the team parade.
July 13, 2026 - 10:48pm
For those playing on the Multi Purpose fields (MP/SO 9 and 10), please brings chairs. There are no bleachers by those fields.
July 13, 2026 - 09:40pm
The O'Fallon Family Sports Park concession and tournament merchandise are 100% cashless! Only credit/debit card are accepted as payment.
July 13, 2026 - 07:05pm
Start planning now to win a Dudley Hitting Station (net, tee and softball caddy) OR a Bowet OR 1 dozen Baden softballs! Participate in our Selfie Scavenger Hunt to have a chance to win! https://cdn.tournamentsites.com/uploads/sites/108/2026/07/Selfie-Scavenger-Hunt.pdf
July 09, 2026 - 10:06pm
The schedule is live. As a reminder, the fields are turf. No metal cleats, gum or sun flower seeds allowed on the field. The event was seeded by points and power ranking. I cannot manipulate the pairings. Please go to the below link for additional information about the event. https://playitforward.usssa.com/great-lakes-midwest-national-championship/ July 14th Itinerary: 10:00am - Team Representative meetings (212 1st St, O'Fallon, IL) 11:30am - Coaches meeting/team check in (212 1st St, O'Fallon, IL) 1:00pm - skills competition ( 301 Obernuefemann Rd, O'Fallon, IL) 4:00pm - Pin/Card Trading, Music, Selfie Scavenger Hunt ( 301 Obernuefemann Rd, O'Fallon, IL) 5:00pm - Begin Parade Line up 5:30pm - Opening Ceremonies/Parade of Teams All activities at the sports park on Tuesday will take place in the Red Quad. Click here to see a map of the complex https://cdn.tournamentsites.com/uploads/sites/108/2026/07/OFallon-SportsPark-Map-Vertical_Final-1-pdf-791x1024-1.jpg See you soon!
July 06, 2026 - 07:05pm
Coaches and parents! Don't forget to order your players Great Lakes/Midwest National Championship commemorative trading cards! The deadline to order is TODAY! As a thank you for playing in our event we are providing each player with 18 FREE trading cards! Click the link below to order. You can purchase additional cards to exchange with other players during opening ceremonies as well! https://forms.tradingcardsdirect.com/midwestgreatlakeschamp26
July 05, 2026 - 09:05am
Coaches and parents! Don't forget to order your Great Lake/Midwest commemorative t-shirt. The deadline to order is 11:55pm TODAY! https://stores.inksoft.com/pif_great_lakes_midwest_nationa/shop/home Also, as a thank you for playing in our event we are providing each player with 18 FREE trading cards! Click the link below to order. You can purchase additional to exchange with other players as well! https://forms.tradingcardsdirect.com/midwestgreatlakeschamp26
June 30, 2026 - 08:48am
Coaches and parents! Don't forget to order your Great Lake/Midwest commemorative t-shirt. The deadline to order is June 30th. https://stores.inksoft.com/pif_great_lakes_midwest_nationa/shop/home Also, as a thank you for playing in our event we are providing each play with 18 FREE trading cards! Click the link below to order. You can purchase additional to exchange with other players as well! https://forms.tradingcardsdirect.com/midwestgreatlakeschamp26
June 26, 2026 - 12:19pm
Coaches/Parents, There are many facets to a National event and I wanted to put some information out to you now so you can prepare. The deadline for payment for the Great Lakes/Midwest National Championship, is June 1st. Please go online and pay your entry fee to hold your spot. If your team is not paid by June 1st, you will be removed from the event. Entry fee can also be paid via Venmo at Lori-Strode24 We charge a team spectator gate fee of $575 for each team in place of the normal individual gate fee for spectators. This will allow everyone to come and go as they please. No getting stopped every time they enter the parkNo keeping track of wristbands and having to wear them for a weekNo long lines waiting to enter the park.No coaches lists or coaches passesNo being asked to see your pass Invite grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends without worrying that they have to pay to watch their player. Ultimately, families will save much more by paying a team gate fee vs an individual gate fee. Previously, two spectators for the event cost $80 for the week. If you have 10 players on your team the total will now be $57.50 per FAMILY for unlimited spectators! This fee is in addition to the tournament entry fee and must be paid by June 1st, 2026. Gate fee can be paid via Venmo at Lori-Strode24. If you are uncertain if you have paid your entry fee, please go to the tournament website. If your team status is APPROVED you are paid. If your team status is PENDING you have not paid and risk being removed from the event if your entry fee is not paid by the deadline. If y
April 15, 2026 - 12:19pm

Payment

PAYMENT:

Only teams who are registered and paid will show as approved. If your team is in a pending status, you are not guaranteed a spot.

Payment deadline is the “last day to enter” date on the public website. If the event is full or close to full, the payment date may be moved up to ensure commitment to the event.

If a team on the waiting list pays before a team in the actual event, the team on the waiting list will be moved into the actual event.  The last, unpaid, team to enter the event will be moved to the waiting list.

Accepted forms of payment are listed below:

1. Pay online via manager page on USSSA website
2. VENMO - @Lori-Strode24 – Indicate team name and event you are paying for
3. PayPal – [email protected] – Indicate team name and event you are paying for
4. Check – must be received 1 week prior to the event. – Indicate team name and event you are paying for

Make Payable to: Play It Forward Sportz
Mail To: 587 Pebble Brook Ln, Shiloh, IL 62221

September 10, 2025 - 06:11pm

Fields

The fields in O'Fallon, Edwardsville, Marion and Cape Girardeau are TURF. No metal cleats allowed! Molded cleats or turf shoes only

No gum, sunflower seeds or peanuts. The complex imposed a $250 fine (per occurrence) for teams who violate the policy.

August 01, 2025 - 07:29am

Tournament Details and Information

For additional information about the Great Lakes/Midwest National Championship, please click on the link below:

https://playitforward.usssa.com/great-lakes-midwest-national-championship/

August 15, 2024 - 08:43pm

Fields and Format

O'Fallon and Edwardsville fields are Turf! No metal cleats, sunflower seeds or gum allowed on the field. O'Fallon is very serious about this policy and any team who violates this policy will be fined $200 for each occurrence.

The format of this event is 2 pool games into a 3GG Bracket. Teams are guaranteed to play 3 games in the bracket and if they go to the loser's bracket, they can come all the way back to win the event. 

Teams will be seeded into the pool games based on points and power ranking. Teams results in the pool will determine their seeding into the bracket. 

August 15, 2024 - 08:41pm

Leaderboard

For more information in regards to this event, please contact:

Play It Forward Sportz

[email protected]

217.840.7929

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