May 26–31, 2027
Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Registration

Tournament Fee: $575 per team

Early Bird Special: $550 per team
Register before December 1, 2026 to receive the early-bird rate.

Multi-team discounts are available for organizations bringing multiple teams. Please contact us for additional information regarding club discounts.

All registrations must be paid at the time of registration. There is no Pay Later option.

For tournament questions, please contact tournaments@bgrabaseball.org.

About the Dalton Hinkle Memorial Slugfest

For more than a decade, the Buffalo Grove Recreation Association has hosted the Dalton Hinkle Memorial Slugfest to honor and remember Dalton Hinkle, a five-year-old boy whose life ended much too soon.

Dalton was the youngest of five boys and grew up in a family deeply connected to BGRA and the Buffalo Grove baseball community. His parents volunteered countless hours to the organization, and Dalton loved being around the ballfields with his dad and brothers.

He was an energetic kid who could often be found running around the Emmerich complex, occasionally finding a little mischief and then relying on the charm that comes with being the youngest of five boys.

That spirit remains at the heart of this tournament.

As competitive as the games become over Memorial Day weekend, we ask everyone—players, coaches and families—to remember why we are here:

Youth baseball is about the kids.

Play hard. Compete. Make memories. And keep Dalton and his family in the back of your minds throughout the weekend.

Tournament Information

• May 26–31, 2027
• Ages 8U through 14U
• A, B & C competition levels
• 3-game minimum
• Games played throughout Buffalo Grove and the surrounding area
• Semifinal and championship games hosted whenever possible at our signature Emmerich Park Complex
• Gold & Silver playoff brackets for divisions with 8 or more teams
• Larger divisions are reseeded following pool play, creating additional competitive playoff opportunities
• Pool Play MVP Awards recognizing one player from each team
• Championship and Runner-Up Awards for every playoff bracket
• Championship Game MVP Award presented to a player from the winning team

2027 Pricing

All 8U–14U A, B & C Divisions: $575

Early Bird: $550 if registered before December 1, 2026.

More Than Just a Baseball Tournament

The Dalton Hinkle Memorial Slugfest has grown into one of the largest Memorial Day weekend youth baseball events in the Chicagoland area.

In 2026, the tournament welcomed:

201 Teams
~2,500 Players
364 Games
25 Fields
21 Divisions
51,000+ Custom Player Trading Cards

And despite a five-hour rain delay, every game was completed.

We're looking forward to making the 2027 Dalton Hinkle Memorial Slugfest even bigger and better.

Player Trading Cards

The custom Dalton Hinkle Memorial Slugfest player trading card program will return as part of the tournament experience.

Players will have the opportunity to receive their own personalized baseball cards and trade with teammates and players from other organizations throughout Memorial Day weekend.

It's another way to make the weekend about more than wins and losses—and give the kids something they can take home and remember long after the final game.

Additional information regarding the 2027 trading card program will be provided to registered teams as the tournament approaches.

Emmerich Park Experience

Our main tournament complex is Emmerich Park, 150 Raupp Blvd., Buffalo Grove, IL.

Throughout Memorial Day weekend, Emmerich becomes the center of the Dalton Hinkle experience, featuring:

• Lighted baseball fields
• Covered grandstands
• Batting cages
• Playground
• Full concessions
• Grill
• Tournament festivities and activities
• Semifinal and championship baseball throughout the weekend

Concessions include hot dogs, brats, burgers, snacks, sports drinks, soft drinks and more.

Outside Grills & Alcohol

Outside grills and alcohol are not permitted at tournament fields. These facilities are rented from the Park District, and we are required to follow all Park District regulations.

Anyone found consuming alcohol at a tournament facility may be asked to leave for the remainder of the event.

Multi-Team Organizations

Bringing multiple teams from your organization?

Multi-team discounts are available.

We welcome clubs interested in bringing teams across multiple age groups and competition levels. Please contact tournaments@bgrabaseball.org to discuss available options before registering.

Paying by Check

Online payment is strongly preferred.

We understand that some organizations are required to pay tournament fees by check. If your organization requires check payment, please contact tournaments@bgrabaseball.org before registering for payment instructions.

Please do not mail a check until you have received payment instructions from BGRA.

Important Dates

Tournament: May 26–31, 2027
Early-Bird Registration Deadline: November 30, 2026
Early-Bird Price: $550
Regular Price: $575

Spots in many divisions fill quickly. We encourage teams to register early to secure their place in the 2027 Dalton Hinkle Memorial Slugfest.

We can't wait to welcome everyone back to Buffalo Grove for Memorial Day Weekend 2027!