MBL Playoffs

MBL Playoffs
The MBL offers league postseason playoffs spanning 2-3 weeks in July, with multiple tiers based on regular season records and geographical location. These playoffs are separate from the MBT State Tournament. Playoff games are almost always scheduled on weeknights, so as to avoid any conflict with an MBT state tournament.  Per Travel Directors’ approval, the playoff brackets place travel time ahead of seeding integrity, in certain cases. Playoff brackets are posted on the MBL site, with coaches entering results and game data as they would during the regular season. In many cases, the tier championship games are played at a predetermined site. The MBL reimburses associations for all umpire fees incurred with postseason games.


2026 MBL Playoff Rules and Notes:

Regular MBL league rules apply to the playoffs, with a few exceptions.

We need a winner in each game, obviously, so games will continue until a winner is determined. Time limits are still in effect. (For example, a regulation 6-inning game where the 5th inning ends at 2:05 and the teams are not tied, will be complete ... Same scenario, but the teams ARE tied, then the teams will play a 6th inning - and more, if the game is still tied.)

All games become official after 4 innings (3.5 if home team is ahead).

Time Limit MUST be discussed at the plate meeting! Especially at fields with LIGHTS and/or double-headers scheduled. Local time limit rules that are shorter than MBL rules supersede the MBL rules. If a game ends because lights are to be turned off, or a predetermined end time is reached, or because of any unforeseen circumstance, and both teams have not had an equal number of turns at bat, the score will revert to that after the last completed inning (unless the home team has scored a run in that inning that ties or gives that team the lead).

RAIN - Monitor the weather this week. Maybe you can start your game early, or push it later, in certain cases. If either team has longer travel, be smart. We want to avoid a team traveling, playing 2 innings, and then having to travel again the next day to finish the game.

Extra innings will use international rules (the last out in the previous inning starts as a runner at second base).

>>> 9A will NOT have a runs-per-inning cap in the playoffs. We will use the standard 10-run rule after 4 innings (3.5 if home team is ahead).

Pitch count daily max and rest day requirements from the regular season are in effect for all playoff games. If a pitcher violates the pitch count max or rest day rules, the head coach is ejected (and suspended one game) and the player is ineligible to pitch for the remainder of the league playoffs. Playoff pitch counts are not connected to MBT or any state tournament pitch count.

The replacement player rule from the regular season is in effect for playoffs. Any replacement players must be documented via email to the MBL and your Travel Director.

Any ejection in a playoff game has the same one-game suspension as the regular season. If a player/coach/spectator is ejected from a game and their team's next game is an MBT/GSTC state game, they will miss the first pool game at state. Manage your competitive energy and remind your families to manage theirs as well!

Dates and locations for each playoff tier championship game will be announced ASAP. Those games will be July 21-22-23.

Should you advance in your playoff bracket, schedule your next game ASAP and get it on the MBL site. Umpire assignors are VERY busy this time of year with state tournaments and appreciate you getting the games scheduled ASAP.