Midseason Madness V presented by Flint Group & Essentia Health has a new, competitive environment this year. For the first time in event history, 43 teams will complete across multiple brackets for a shot to bring home one of six total championship plaques. The tournament is now the largest regular season softball event in the country, and the tournament committee was looking for new ways to level the event up. 

"The bracket or competitive format was actually something brought to us by the coaches and ADs at last year's Midseason Madness," Tournament Co-Director and North Dakota Softball All Stars President Tim How said. "We polled the coaches and they were overwhelmingly in favor of a more competitive format in terms of something to play for at the event." 

Midseason Madness has shifted back a week in recent years, aligning just before region tournaments across the state. It's a perfect time for teams to play in a competitive environment leading up the the postseason. 

Brackets were named with North Dakota in mind; Peace Garden, Flickertail, Roosevelt, Roughrider, Badlands and Maris.

All games will be held at the North Softball Complex in Fargo starting at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. Tip of the cap to 32 officials that will be on hand to ump the games. The event would not be possible without them. 

Admission

• $5 per adult per day
• 18 and under FREE
• Cash payment in vehicle at parking lot entries or via Venmo in advance

Essentia Health Tournament Headquarters

• Located in the main pavilion
• Certified athletic trainers provided by Essentia Health
• Location for any on-site apparel orders (limited supply)
• $1 raffles for UND and NDSU autographed softballs