Dowling Catholic (4A), Central DeWitt (3A), Van Meter (2A) and Martensdale-St.Marys (1A) top the latest rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Van Meter and MSTM were ranked #1 in the preseason rankings, while Dowling and Central DeWitt are new to the top spot.

Baseball has returned to Principal Park. But it isn’t the Iowa Cubs playing. It is high school teams from all around Central Iowa as the state resumes high school athletics during a worldwide pandemic.

The games are part of the Iowa Soybean Association Summer Series of 16 high school games at Principal Park.

The 2020 Iowa high school state baseball tournament is set for July 24 through August 1 at Principal Park in Des Moines. It will be the 16th season for the tournament at the home of the Iowa Cubs.

We tried to do the impossible. Start with 418 state tournament games at Principal Park and pick 10 favorites. Lots of underdogs and upsets and extra-inning games. Thrilling victories. Heart-breaking defeats. One thing is clear: It’s been 16 years of great tournament baseball. Enjoy. [Note: Our favorite state tournament photo is above.]

If you love good pitching, you loved the 2019 Iowa high school state baseball tournament. The 28 games of the tournament provided plenty of it — there were nine shutouts — and some great individual performances.

2019 state tournament highlight video

CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT
Friday’s quarterfinals
Don Bosco 3, Coon Rapids-Bayard 1
Newman Catholic 8, Pekin 7
Saturday’s quarterfinals
Alburnett 13, South Winneshiek 4
Remsen St.Mary’s 4, Martensdale-St.Marys 2
Thursday’s semifinals
Newman Catholic 10, Don Bosco 0 (five innings)
Alburnett 4, Remsen St.Mary’s 3
Saturday’s championship
Newman Catholic 11, Alburnett 1 (six innings)

TOP SEEDS: 1. Newman; 2. Alburnett; 3. MSTM; 4. Don Bosco
RANKED TEAMS: 1. Newman; 2. MSTM; 3. Alburnett; 6. Don Bosco; 9. CRB; 10. RSM

Final Class 1A stat leaders

Final overall stat leaders

2019 state tournament higlight video

Game stories, box scores, play-by-play reports

CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT
Monday’s quarterfinals
North Linn 8, West Branch 1
Des Moines Christian 9, Central Lee 7
West Sioux 7, New Hampton 2
Van Meter 17, Underwood 7 (six innings)
Thursday’s semifinals
Van Meter 3, West Sioux 0
North Linn 3, Des Moines Christian 0
Saturday’s championship
Van Meter 6, North Linn 0

TOP SEEDS: 1. North Linn; 2. Van Meter; 3. New Hampton; 4. Central Lee 
RANKED TEAMS: 2. North Linn; 5. Van Meter; 7. New Hampton

Final Class 2A stat leaders

Final overall stat leaders

2019 state tournament higlight video

Game stories, box scores, play-by-play reports

TOP SEEDS: 1. Xavier; 2. Assumption; 3. DeWitt; 4. Marion
RANKED TEAMS: 1. Xavier; 2. Assumption; 3. DeWitt; 4. Marion; 9. Centerville

Final Class 3A stat leaders

Final overall stat leaders

2019 state tournament higlight video

Game stories, box scores, play-by-play reports

TOP SEEDS: 1. Johnston; 2. West; 3. Western Dubuque; 4. Dowling
RANKED TEAMS: 1. Johnston; 2. West; 3. Southeast Polk; 5. Western Dubuque; 6. Dowling; 9. Urbandale

Final Class 4A stat leaders

Final overall stat leaders

2019 state tournament higlight video

Game stories, box scores, play-by-play reports

The state baseball tournament moved to Des Moines in 2005, and since then, lots of talented baseball players have showcased their skills at Principal Park. The list includes players who went on to play in college, in the minor leagues and in the major leagues. And players who went on to work for the host Iowa Cubs. Read more for a look at those who played in the state tournament at Principal Park — and work (or have worked) for the Iowa Cubs.

As an industry leader in the state, Iowa Sports Turf Management will take your fields to the next level. Our accomplished professionals have experience with top-level facilities throughout the region. The specialized nature of our company sets us apart from any other. Our high-quality services result in increased playability and enhance the aesthetic appearance of your facility. Visit our website for more details.

Fans can keep foul balls hit into the stands during state tournament games. There are an average of 750 baseballs used each year during the state tournament. And most of them go home with fans.