The Big 26 Baseball Classic® brings together the region’s best high school baseball talent for an elite showcase of competition and sportsmanship. Since its inception in 2012, the annual series has paired Pennsylvania as the host team at FNB Field in Harrisburg with Maryland as its long-standing rival. Player rosters are selected each spring through a competitive tryout process for high school players entering their junior and senior years. The event is designed to mimic a typical minor league baseball series, with the teams housing, eating, and traveling to the venue together during a 3-day stretch. College coaches are invited to all player activities including tryouts, final roster combine, and the 3-game series. Between 30 and 40 schools check in over the course of the event. The event also features a Buddy Program, where individuals ages 5 - 21 with special needs are connected with Big 26 players for various activities throughout the event. Relationships forged through the Buddy Program are often carried beyond the Big 26.

 

The event is owned and operated by the Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority.