The NBC World Series is adding a youth experience to its 2026 event in Wichita, and it is one that local baseball and softball teams will likely remember long after the summer ends.
Through the new Baseball Buddies program, youth teams in the Wichita area can step onto the field during pregame festivities, stand with NBC players for the National Anthem and stay to watch the game together from the stands at Eck Stadium.
The program is presented by Pella Windows and Doors and is available on select nights during the 2026 NBC World Series, July 23 through August 1.
The setup is simple, but it gives young athletes a real game-day moment instead of just a ticket to sit in the crowd.
Each selected team gets an on-field experience, a professional team photo, access to the tournament and a special souvenir courtesy of NBC and Pella.
The experience is designed for youth baseball and softball teams ages 6 through 13, and each team can bring up to 15 players with advance registration required.
That is what makes the program stand out. It is not a one-off promotion or a random fan giveaway.
It is a chance for kids to actually be part of the event, to walk onto the same field where the NBC World Series is being played and to hear their team introduced before the National Anthem.
For a summer tournament that already carries a lot of local history in Wichita, that kind of access gives the event a stronger community feel.
How the Baseball Buddies program works
The registration page says each Baseball Buddies night is limited to two teams, with each team allowed up to 15 players. Teams are asked to arrive at 5:30 p.m. for a 6:00 p.m. first pitch, and players are encouraged to wear their team jerseys and caps for the on-field appearance.
Once the pregame moment is finished, teams stay in designated seating to watch the game and take home their souvenir.
The cost structure also makes the program accessible for families. Participating players receive a free game ticket, while family and friends can buy discounted $8 group tickets.
That keeps the experience tied to the whole team community, not just the players on the field. NBC says the opportunity is free for the participating teams themselves, which is another reason the idea feels built more like a community outreach program than a standard ticket package.
The event is being offered on select nights across the NBC World Series schedule, and the official page says opportunities are available for every featured game during the tournament window.
The overall run goes from July 23 to August 1, which gives families and coaches a full stretch of dates to look at when planning around summer baseball schedules.
There is also some early sign of interest around the program. The idea has already drawn positive reaction from many users, with them describing it as a great opportunity for kids and a chance for visiting teams to feel welcomed.
“The Seattle Studs would welcome them with open arms,” wrote a parent. Another added, This is a wonderful thing for kids!.
That kind of response fits the tone of the event itself, which is built around giving younger players a more personal connection to the NBC World Series.
For Wichita-area youth teams, Baseball Buddies turns the NBC World Series into something more than a summer baseball event.
It becomes a night where kids can step onto the field, stand with players, watch the game together and leave with a memory that feels much bigger than the score.
The registration process is already live through NBC’s Baseball Buddies page, and teams interested in joining can use the official form to reserve a spot.
