It’s that time of year again, the time for postseason baseball. This year’s tournament certainly has its front runners, but there are a lot of dark horse picks that certainly will have a good chance for an upset. Here’s a look at all the CSAA teams and their respective district bracket assignments:

 

District 37 (Big Rapids)

Led by regular season conference champion Big Rapids, the Cardinals have broken the curse of the Tuesday quarterfinal draw and stand as the overall favorite with the most balanced and consistent team. However, Whitehall will be test as a school notorious of housing incredible athletes and a team riding six wins over the last eight games. Newaygo is also a team that has potent power at the plate, but the Orioles have shown it too with seven games this year scoring over 10 runs. Then there’s Fremont, who will be as motivated as ever following last year’s 1-0 heartbreaking loss in the semifinals to the eventual champion Lions. Buckle up for a good one in this bracket.

 

Quarterfinals
Newaygo (25-11) vs. Ludington (15-13) – Big Rapids HS Baseball Field, May 28, 5:00 P.M.

 

Semifinals
Fremont (11-19) vs Newaygo/Ludington Winner – Big Rapids HS Baseball Field, June 1, 10:00 A.M.
Whitehall (22-10) vs. Big Rapids (26-8) – Big Rapids HS Baseball Field, June 1, 12:00 P.M.

 

Finals
Semifinal Winners – Big Rapids HS Baseball Field, June 1, 2:00 P.M.

 

District 39 (Comstock Park)

District 39 has a great group of teams this year with some great matchups. Grant and Sparta will likely be a battle with low run totals and good pitching, making the first-round game very strategic in terms of who throws first for each side. The winner will play a Belding squad that has beaten both teams on the other side of the bracket. For the rematch of Tri-County against Comstock Park, the Vikings will look to avenge an early 8-4 loss to the Panthers. While the Spartans will be the favorite on paper, the other four teams are competitive teams that have pulled off considerable major upsets in the regular season already.

 

Quarterfinals
Grant (18-11) vs. Sparta (25-10) – Comstock Park HS Baseball Field, May 28, 4:30 P.M.

 

Semifinals
Belding (14-17) vs Grant/Sparta Winner – Comstock Park HS Baseball Field, June 1, 10:00 A.M.
Comstock Park (14-11-3) vs. Howard City Tri-County (8-20) – Comstock Park HS Baseball Field, June 1, 12:00 P.M.

 

Finals
Semifinal Winners – Comstock Park HS Baseball Field, June 1, 2:00 P.M.

 

District 70 (Evart)

With last years’ champ Clare off the bracket, the door is wide open for all five teams. Evart is hosting the district for the first time since 2017, when they were formerly were in District 108. Outside of last year’s Division 4 State Champs Beal City, the Wildcats handled their Highland Conference schedule well and seemed primed for this year’s tournament offensively. Do be careful as Pine River, who battled the Wildcats to 3-1 and 3-2 losses this year, could be lurking in the semis. Don’t forget about Reed City too, a team that has good talent on the mound and can hold McBain’s offense down and reach the finals. Lineup depth and determination could be the key factor for the team hoisting the trophy in this one. 

 

Quarterfinals
Harrison (5-14) vs. LeRoy Pine River (18-7) – Evart HS Baseball Field, May 28, 4:00 P.M.

 

Semifinals
Evart (20-12) vs Harrison/LeRoy Pine River Winner – Evart HS Baseball Field, June 1, 10:00 A.M.
McBain (14-14-1) vs. Reed City (16-12-1) – Evart HS Baseball Field, June 1, 12:00 P.M.

 

Finals
Semifinal Winners – Evart HS Baseball Field, June 1, 2:00 P.M.

 

District 73 (Montague)

Only four teams stand in this district alignment, but there’s one clearly out in front. The Norseman of North Muskegon stand as the state’s top team in Division 3 and a clear front runner in this quad. Their first-round matchup, Kent City, will need a near-perfect defensive performance and manufactured runs to sniff an upset. The Bulldogs and Wildcats on the other side will be a fun rematch, as the two split a pair at Ravenna back in early May. The determining factor will be if Montague can get runs early on the ball game to put the pressure on, or if Ravenna can hold down with their defense to play a slower game. Only time will tell until Saturday’s showdown on the side of Lake Michigan. 

 

Quarterfinals
None

 

Semifinals
Montague (14-19-1) vs. Ravenna (12-11-1) – Montague HS Baseball Field, June 1, 10:00 A.M.
North Muskegon (30-5) vs. Kent City (7-21) – Montague HS Baseball Field, June 1, 12:30 P.M.

 

Finals
Semifinal Winners – Montague HS Baseball Field, June 1, 3:00 P.M.

 

District 74 (Remus Chippewa Hills)

This district looks a little new this year, as all five teams join a new alignment in 2024. Clare, led by a powerhouse offense, sit atop the poll as the popular pick to advance to regional play. Right behind is Chippewa Hills, who have played great ball and have won 11 of 15 home games this season. The good news for Morley Stanwood and Farwell is they have seen their opponent in the regular season, leading to scouting and strategy changes entering round two. Lakeview might not have the same opportunity, but the Wildcats seem due after a slick skid in the month of May. What to look forward to in this bracket? A potential for breakout offenses on a diamond that is historical known for high-run affairs in the postseason. 

 

Quarterfinals
Clare (23-5-1) vs. Farwell (7-26) – Remus Chippewa Hills HS Baseball Field, May 28, 5:00 P.M.

 

Semifinals
Lakeview (6-22) vs Clare/Farwell Winner – Remus Chippewa Hills HS Baseball Field, June 1, 10:00 A.M.
Remus Chippewa Hills (20-7-1) vs. Morley Stanwood (7-18) – Remus Chippewa Hills HS Baseball Field, June 1, 12:00 P.M.

 

Finals
Semifinal Winners – Remus Chippewa Hills HS Baseball Field, June 1, 2:00 P.M.

 

District 77 (Pewamo-Westphalia)

After falling to Grand Rapids West Catholic last year, Central Montcalm looks for a bounce back campaign this postseason. The Hornets have some big-time playmakers and can really make some noise if they lay off the errors. An early test against Ovid-Elsie will be an intriguing one, as the Marauders are battle-tested through a tough schedule in 2024. Pewamo-Westphalia has home field advantage and looks to play spoiler following a District 79 championship appearance a year ago. They will have to go through Ithaca, who has proven to be a road warrior with their success away from home soil. All in all, this district is going to be fun to follow.

 

Quarterfinals
Ovid-Elsie (12-21-1) vs. Central Montcalm (24-12) – Pirate Field (Westphalia), May 28, 4:30 P.M.

 

Semifinals
St Louis (1-27) vs Ovid-Elsie/Central Montcalm Winner – Pirate Field (Westphalia), June 1, 10:00 A.M.
Pewamo-Westphalia (18-11) vs. Ithaca (7-12) – Pirate Field (Westphalia), June 1, 12:30 P.M.

 

Finals
Semifinal Winners – Pirate Field (Westphalia), June 1, 3:00 P.M.

 

District 108 (Muskegon Catholic Central)

Last but certainly not least is District 108. The road certainly goes through Muskegon Catholic Central, who has dominated the season in Division 4 as the number five team in the rankings. To reach an incredible 12^thstraight district title, they will have to go through what is projected to be the same path as last season. They will face Holton in Tuesday’s opening round and then likely await the White Cloud Indians, who have won four of their last five games. On the other side, Pentwater and Muskegon Western Michigan Christian will do battle for the right to reach the district title game.

 

Quarterfinals
Holton (3-19) vs. Muskegon Catholic Central (28-7) – Muskegon Catholic Central HS Baseball Field, May 28, 4:30 P.M.

 

Semifinals
White Cloud (16-15) vs Holton/Muskegon Catholic Central Winner – Muskegon Catholic Central HS Baseball Field, June 1, 10:00 A.M.
Pentwater (5-12-1) vs. Muskegon Western Michigan Christian (14-14-1) – Muskegon Catholic Central HS Baseball Field, June 1, 12:00 P.M.

 

Finals
Semifinal Winners – Muskegon Catholic Central HS Baseball Field, June 1, 2:30 P.M.

 

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