1A and 2A high school baseball players, fans, and teams from all over the state are traveling to Carroll next week for the 2023 State Baseball Tournament, and local organizers say they are ready to welcome the crowds to historic Merchants Park. This is the third year state baseball has been back in town, and Carroll Parks and Recreation Director Chad Tiemeyer says getting ready is now down to a science for them.
Monday, July 17 is the quarterfinals for 1A, and Tuesday, July 18 is the quarterfinals for 2A. They’ll be narrowing the field from eight teams to four. The 1A semifinals are Wednesday, July 19 at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., while 2A semifinals are on Thursday, July 20, also at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The tournament wraps up on Friday with the championship games. Tiemeyer says one of the best parts about hosting the smaller classes is they are fiercely loyal to their hometown teams.
Carroll will host the state baseball tournament through the end of the 2024 season, but what happens next is not clear. Tiemeyer says they are hoping to keep at least the 1A and 2A tournaments in town far into the future, but that will likely take some investment.
Fortunately, reviews from the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), players, teams, coaches, and fans are that they all really enjoy playing in Carroll’s Merchants Park, and there does not appear to be a strong push to move the tournament elsewhere as long as the necessary updates are completed. Tiemeyer says there will be plenty of high-quality baseball in Carroll next week. While no local teams will be playing, he encourages fans to drop in and catch a game or two.
