Get ready to make history at the inaugural Viking Summer Classic, a premier youth travel baseball tournament hosted at the newly renovated Mill Creek Community Park in Geneva, Illinois! This tournament is a new must-attend event for travel teams looking for great local competition and an unforgettable experience in the west suburbs.

Date: June 6-8, 2025

Location: Mill Creek Community Park – Geneva, IL

Registration Fee: $525 per team

Game Guarantee: 3-game minimum

Divisions: 9U AA

Awards for 1st & 2nd Place Finishers - Bring home the hardware!

Home Run Derby – Who will be crowned the Viking slugger?

Premier Fields & Facilities – Enjoy covered dugouts, free parking, on-site restrooms, and a brand-new universal playground for families and siblings to enjoy.

Spots are limited – register your team today and be part of the first-ever Viking Summer Classic!

Sign up now!

Any questions please reach out to travelplayerdevelopment@genevabaseball.com

With fields located just 2 miles west of Randall Road, your team is minutes from key amenities to fill up on essentials and recharge in between games.

Great Restaurants – From casual eats to sit-down restaurants, you can fit the whole team at spots like Portillo's, Buffalo Wild Wings, McDonalds, Aurelio's Pizza and more.

Close Grocery Access – Refill the coolers at any grocer just minutes away including Walmart, Meijer, Costco, Walgreens and more.

Coffee & Sweet Treats – Prepping for morning games or celebrate a win with the team at spots like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Oberweis, Graham's Chocolate, Kilwin's and more.

Last Minute Shopping – Of course everyone remembered their cleats but just in case you're needing essentials you can rely on local shops like Dick's Sporting Goods, Geneva Commons outdoor mall, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, boutiques in historic downtown and more.

Whether you're battling it out on the field or making memories around town, the Viking Summer Classic is the perfect summer baseball experience.

1. Event Administration

GBA tournament management will make every effort to treat all teams with fairness. If questions or disputes arise about policies and procedures, coaches shall bring them to the attention of the Tournament Director to be dealt with. Any interpretation and decision of the Tournament Director shall be final.

2. Officials

Professional umpires have been assigned to each game. Coaches should treat them with respect. With regard to on-field calls, the decision of the umpires shall be final.

3. Rosters, Insurance and Waivers

All teams must submit a roster, certificate of insurance, and waivers as directed by GBA in pre-event correspondence. All teams must check in upon arrival to verify and approve their compliance with the above. Once a roster is verified, it is frozen for that weekend’s tournament. Teams cannot begin tournament play until their roster is submitted and verified, and all player and coach waivers are on file. Teams who fail to follow these procedures shall be subject to a forfeit.

4. Scores and Standings

GBA relies heavily on technology for allowing teams to get scores and standings from mobile phones and mobile devices. In the event of a technical failure (server, etc.) or human error (score keyed in incorrectly, etc.), the Tournament Director will work to correct the error as quickly as possible, and will post and/or communicate updated information. Teams should check back regularly in case changes are made that impact standings, seeds or brackets. 

5. Arrival Policies

Teams must be on site 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, as games may start prior to published times. Teams may start and finish games with eight (8) uniformed and rostered players. If a team has to play with eight (8) players, the ninth spot in the batting order is an automatic out. If a ninth uniformed and rostered player arrives, that player may be inserted into the ninth spot in the batting order and the automatic out shall stop. If a team has seven (7) or less uniformed and roster players to start a game, or at any point during the game, the game shall be declared a forfeit. The forfeit score shall be 7-0 for tiebreaker purposes.

6. Home Team

The home team for pool games shall be determined by a coin flip. The team that has traveled the greatest distance will call the flip. Either an umpire or a member of tournament management must be present for the flip. The higher seed based upon the original seeding will be the home team throughout the playoffs.

7. Dugouts

Teams should fill first and third base dugouts on a first come, first served basis, irrespective of home and away designation. If a team has back to back games on the same field, they should always remain in the same dugout, to avoid the extra time involved in moving bags, etc.

8. Pregame Warm-Ups

There will be no infield practice. Teams are allowed to play catch in the outfield area if the time allows. Never do flip drills into fences or step on foul lines.

9. Score Reporting

Both teams shall report the final score to the Tournament Director or his/her designee immediately following each game. Since tiebreakers often come into play, accurate score reporting is critical. 

10. Tiebreakers

If a tiebreaker is needed to determine playoff teams (wildcards, etc.), the following tiebreakers shall be used:

• Overall won-lost record
• Head-to-head (only applies when two teams are involved)
• Least number of runs allowed throughout the tournament
• Total runs scored
• Coin flip

11. Modifications

The Tournament Director may modify the number or length of games when necessary due to weather, field conditions, or scheduling issues. This includes modifying the time limit if games get backed up or for any reason.

12. Local Policies and Ordinances

All teams are required to adhere to local park policies and ordinances. Alcohol and/or tobacco shall not be brought into the confines of the tournament venues. The Head Coach shall be ultimately responsible and accountable for the conduct of his players, assistant coaches, and spectators.

Rosters and Birth Dates

13. A player may only be on one roster in any given tournament, regardless of age division.

14. Team rosters contain personal information such as player date of birth, email addresses and coach’s personal information. In the interest of protecting player and coach privacy, rosters can only be viewed by GBA staff. Only a Head Coach may ask the Tournament Director about players listed and if they meet the age and/or roster qualifications. 

9U Division – Players who turn 10 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

Playing Rules

The official playing rules for the tournament shall be the NFHS (high school) rules with the following exceptions:

15. Length of Game

Ages 9U will play six (6) innings

16. Arm Health and Recommended Pitching Limitations

The ultimate responsibility of managing pitch counts rests with each team’s Head Coach. Tournament management will not be involved in counting pitches or regulating pitching during tournament events. GBA endorses the Pitch Smart program, developed by USA Baseball and Major League Baseball. This program is a series of practical, age appropriate guidelines to help parents, players and coaches avoid overuse injuries and foster long, healthy careers for youth pitchers.

About Pitch Smart: USA Baseball and MLB team up to help young players reduce arm injuries by providing a comprehensive resource for safe pitching practices. Baseball is a safe game to play at all ages, but research has shown that pitching too much – particularly at a young age – can increase a pitcher’s risk of injury.

Risk Factors: Some factors that increase the risk of arm injury include:

• Pitching while fatigued
• Not taking enough time off from baseball every year
• Throwing too many pitches and not getting enough rest
• Pitching on consecutive days
• Playing for multiple teams at the same time
• Throwing breaking pitches at a young age

See the full recommendations and explore resources provided by the Advisory Committee at PitchSmart.org.

Recommended Pitch Count Limits and Recommended Rest:

17. Bat Restrictions

Ages 9U: Bats must be stamped either 1.15 BPF or USA Baseball and will have no weight drop restriction. Alternatively, wood and BBCOR bats may be used. BESR stamped bats are illegal and cannot be used.

18. Time Limits

The game start time shall begin with the first warm up pitch. The home plate umpire or base umpire shall monitor the official time, and it is preferred that the time be announced publicly to minimize confusion later. All games shall have a 1 hour and 45 minute time limit, except the championship game, which will have a 2 hour time limit.

Expiration of the time limit shall be ruled upon at the moment the final out in a half inning is recorded. An inning may be finished, but a new inning cannot be started after the time limit expires. If the home team is ahead when the time limit is reached, the game is over (a) immediately after the top half of the inning is finished or (b) at the moment the time limit is reached and the home team is ahead in the bottom half of the inning.

The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify time limits in the event of weather or scheduling issues.

19. Mercy Rules

Mercy rules shall be fifteen (15) runs after 3 innings, ten (10) runs after 4 innings, and eight (8) runs after 5 innings. Mercy rules shall be in effect for all games, including the championship game.

20. Official Baseballs

Two official game balls will be provided to start each game, but will not be replenished throughout the game. Teams are expected to assist in retrieval of foul balls and home run balls. Teams should always have tournament quality used baseballs on hand to toss in if the original game balls are lost or not returned by the fans to the umpires.

Metal spikes are not allowed in age group 9U. 

21. 9U Baserunning

9U Division: There will be no leadoffs and stealing will be permitted only after the ball crosses the plate. There will be no dropped third strike, and a runner may only score from third base on a) a batted ball, b) a walk, c) a hit by pitch, or d) if played upon by the pitcher or catcher. No balks will be called.

22. Extra Innings and Tie Games

For all Pool Play Games, if a game is tied after the time limit expires or when the regulation innings have been completed, the game shall be recorded as a tie.

For Bracket Play Games, if a game is tied after the time limit expires or when the regulation innings have been completed, the following tiebreaker will be used. In the first extra inning and every ½ inning thereafter, each team will start with a man on second base and 1 out. The base runner will be the last batted out from the previous inning. Each batter will start with a 1-1 count. The game will continue in this format until a winner is determined.

23. Intentional Walks

There will be no pitches thrown to intentionally walk a batter. Notify the umpire, and the batter will be awarded first base.

24. Courtesy Runners

Courtesy runners are optional at any time for the pitcher and catcher. The courtesy runner shall be a player not currently in the lineup. If a team is batting their entire roster, the courtesy runner shall be the last batted out. The pitcher or catcher for this rule is the pitcher or catcher of the previous inning. If this situation arises in the first inning and no outs have been recorded, the pitcher or catcher shall remain on the bases until an out is recorded.

25. Ejections

If a coach is ejected from a game, he will be suspended for the remainder of the game and for the next game the team plays. If a player is ejected during a game, he will be suspended for the remainder of the game. If a team is batting their entire lineup and/or no substitutes are available, the name of the ejected player will remain in the batting order and count as an out when the batting order reaches that player.

26. Injuries and Early Departures

If a player becomes injured (as ruled by the umpire) and is unable to continue playing, his spot in the batting order shall be skipped with no penalty unless the team has a legal/available substitute. Once an injured player leaves the batting order, he is done for the remainder of that game.

27. Game Called Due to Weather or Field Conditions

A game will be considered complete if weather, darkness or field conditions prevent the game from being completed:

6-inning game = 3 innings or 2 ½ if home team is leading, will constitute a completed game.

If a game is not official as described above, the Tournament Director will either:

(a) suspend the game and arrange to have it resumed where it left off, or

(b) cancel the game such that it does not count toward tournament standings.

Should a Championship game be interrupted by weather, darkness or unplayable field conditions, and is not an official game per the above Rule, then the Championship team will be determined by the score at the end of the last full completed inning. If the score was tied at the end of the last completed inning or if the first inning of the game is not completed, the higher seed shall be named Champion.

28. Game Schedules

GBA will release the Official Schedule on the Tuesday prior to the event by midnight or sooner if possible. Teams must be prepared to play in any of the time slots for the scheduled days of the event. Games will start as early as 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6th.

29. Refund Policy

Once an entry fee is paid for an event, no cash, check or credit card refunds will be issued for any reason whatsoever, unless GBA cancels the event in advance of the event weekend due to insufficient enrollment. If a team registers and subsequently is unable to participate, the following refund/credit policy applies:

• Tournament withdrawals within 15 days prior to the start of the event will forfeit all tournament fees.

If an event is canceled at any time or shortened due to inclement weather or field conditions, GBA will issue credits as follows:

• 0 Games: 100% fees returned.
• 1 game: 50% fees returned.
• 2 or more games completed: No fees returned.

30. Field Size

Basepaths will be 65’ and pitching distance will be 46’.