The 2025 IGHSAU Softball State Tournament was the final tournament with a single elimination format. Starting in 2026, the tournament will feature double elimination brackets.
Executive Director Erin Gerlich says the move is in conjunction with the City of Fort Dodge’s upcoming renovations at Harlan & Hazel Rogers Sports Complex, which has been several years in the making.
“We knew that if they could get the facilities to be able to do it, that we could put the format together to make it happen,” Gerlich says. “So it was really this concerted effort and the City of Fort Dodge investing a lot of money into the construction and the vision that they’ve put together. They’re constructing two new fields, and revamping some of the space where our consolation fields are right now. We’re really excited. We think early this fall we’ll be able to put out what our schedule is going to look like for for next year.”
Gerlich says prior to the move, schools were in favor of continuing to play consolation games when teams were eliminated from championship contention. She anticipates with the new format, attendance will grow.
“The consolation games, it’s one of those things that the schools don’t want it to go away. We’ve asked time and time again, is this something that they value or not? At the end of the day, they do. But you don’t get as much of the crowd. There’s not necessarily that level of excitement behind it. Next year, every game matters. And that’s going to be really big and really fun for everybody involved.”
The renovations will include five championship fields, press box accommodations for those fields, additional parking areas, and various other changes.
