Louisville Slugger Signature Event (Middle School)

Agenda

Sunday

5:00 Doors Open

Check-in, Inspections, and Skills and Practice Fields open. Pits will be open. Interviews will begin.

9:00 Doors Close

Monday

7:30 Doors Open

8:00 Skills and Practice Fields Open

8:30 Opening Ceremony and Drivers Meeting

9:15 Qualification Matches Begin

12:15 Lunch (Skills Closed)

1:30 Qualification Matches Resume (Be at queuing tables at 1:15) Skills Open

6:35 Qualification Matches End - Skills Closed

7:00 Doors / Pits closed

Interviews will be conducted throughout the day

Tuesday

7:30 Doors Open

8:00 Skills and Practice Fields Open

9:00 Qualifications Matches Resume, Interviews as needed

10:30 Qualifications Matches End / Skills End 

11:00 Alliance selection

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Elimination Matches Begin (Some Awards will be presented between matches)

3:00 Elimination Matches End

3:30 Final Awards

4:00 Closing Ceremony

4:30 Doors Close

Volunteer

Volunteers are essential to the success of any event, and this one is no exception. It takes a dedicated team to bring everything together, and we’re truly grateful for your time, energy, and skills. Your support makes all the difference.

All volunteers receive a volunteer event t-shirt. Volunteers will also receive lunch and a skills fast pass on the day(s) of their shift.  

Please sign up at this link: Coming soon!

Any volunteer queries can be sent to [email protected]

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

The Louisville Slugger Signature Event will proceed as scheduled unless conditions are deemed unsafe by event staff, venue management, or local authorities. In the case of severe weather or other emergencies, updates will be communicated as quickly as possible through official event channels, including email and onsite announcements.

Teams should be prepared for potential delays, schedule adjustments, or temporary pauses in competition if weather or emergency conditions impact travel or venue operations. Safety will always take priority over the event schedule.

In the event of evacuation or shelter-in-place instructions, all participants must follow directions from event staff and venue personnel immediately and proceed to designated safe areas. Teams are responsible for ensuring that all students and members are accounted for at all times.

We encourage all teams to monitor local weather forecasts prior to and during the event, and to plan travel with flexibility in mind. No penalties will be issued for delays caused by officially declared weather or emergency disruptions.

Refund and Payment Policies

If the Event Partner cancels the event: 

Refunds will only be issued if the event is cancelled to weather or national emergencies.  Due to fixed costs of a signature event, any refunds will be allocated after all event expenses have been paid.

If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event then chooses to withdraw or not attend:

No refunds will be issued.

Health and Safety Policies

Health and Safety Policy

The safety and well-being of all participants, volunteers, and spectators is our highest priority. All teams are expected to follow venue rules, posted signage, and instructions from event staff at all times. This includes maintaining safe behavior in the pits and competition areas, keeping walkways clear, and ensuring that all equipment is operated responsibly. Any unsafe conduct or failure to comply with staff directions may result in warnings or removal from the event space.

We ask that all attendees remain mindful of their surroundings and take appropriate precautions to prevent injuries, including proper handling of tools, batteries, and robots. Teams should ensure that their pit areas are organized and free of hazards, and that minors are supervised by responsible adults at all times. In the event of an emergency, please notify event staff or venue security immediately so that proper assistance can be provided.

Medical support and emergency procedures will be in place throughout the event, and clearly marked first aid locations will be available on-site. If any participant is feeling unwell or requires assistance, they should seek help right away. By attending this event, all teams agree to prioritize safety, act responsibly, and contribute to a positive and secure environment for everyone involved.

Date: 6-Dec-2026 - 7-Dec-2026

Travel Info

The tournament will take place at the Louisville International Convention Center in the heart of downtown Louisville.

Teams will be flying into Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), which is located just a short drive from the venue. Ground transportation options including rideshare, rental cars, and hotel shuttles are readily available from the airport.

Webcast

The link for Youtube will be provided closer to the event date.

Judging Format

Engineering notebooks will be submitted digitally for evaluation via a link uploaded within the "My Account" panel of the team contact. The Submission Deadline for your Engineering Notebook is 11:59PM on 11/21//2026. 

Our Judge Advisor will be highly qualified and have served in this capacity at worlds and signature events for several years. Our judges are members of the business and educational community from the local area, to include engineering professors from the University of Louisville and Kentucky. They will be conducting interviews Sunday evening, throughout the day on Monday and on Tuesday morning as needed. If you are interested in judging, please email our volunteer coordinator at [email protected].

Please note, no parents, coaches, or anyone closely affiliated with a participating organization can judge this event.