District Baseball Battles Heat Up Across the Ozarks
High school baseball postseason drama is officially here, and The Starting Lineup is breaking down the biggest district seeding conversations shaping the road to the Missouri state championships. Ned Reynolds, Scott Puryear, and Guy “Scoreboard Guy” Newcomb dive into the late-season momentum swings affecting Class 5 and Class 6 brackets, including major matchups like Nixa vs. Ozark and Kickapoo vs. Glendale. The episode also spotlights Purdy’s dominant 23-1-1 season, Carl Junction’s rapid rise under Brent Chappell, and the postseason-tested schedules helping teams prepare for deep playoff runs.
Catch the full conversation and hear the complete postseason breakdown here:
Beyond the rankings and records, the episode highlights what makes Southwest Missouri baseball unique. From Webb City’s strong multi-sport culture to the Leadoff Club’s continued support of local programs through major uniform giveaways, the conversation focuses on the community investment fueling success across the Ozarks. The crew also takes a closer look at the championship-level facilities in Ozark that will host this year’s state finals, reinforcing why the area continues to be one of Missouri’s premier baseball destinations.
