After suffering through financial difficulties and low attendance the last several years, the National Baseball Congress has announced major changes to their annual postseason tournament.

The changes include dividing the event into two, one-week week  tournaments that will be played consecutively from July 26th through August 10th.

Champions from leagues that haven’t been as successful at the tournament over the past decade, as well as second and third place teams from leagues with automatic bids, will make up the first 16-team double-elimination bracket.

The top two teams from the first week advance to a 16-team “championship week” double-elimination tournament where they will be joined by representatives from the 10 leagues that have had the most success at the NBC World Series over the last decade. Two at-large teams, determined by NBC officials, as well as the previous year’s champion and runner-up make up the final bracket.

NBC officials are hopeful the change will make it more affordable for traditional powers to return to Wichita. Last summer the Alaska Baseball League champ did not make the trip due to financial concerns.

Ticket prices are also being reduced and buyouts from local businesses offering complimentary tickets will be offered for both weeks.

A recent audit showed the tournament, which is owned by the city of Wichita but operated by the Wichita Wingnuts organization, owes the city about a quarter of a million dollars.