Michigan State, Lansing Lugnuts set new format for Crosstown Showdown

Michigan State baseball is heading to nearby Lansing to compete in the annual Crosstown Showdown with the Lansing Lugnuts, the High-A affiliate of the Oakland A's. This annual mesh between college and professional sports in Michigan's capital always is a fan favorite.

For this 2026 meeting between the two teams, the format and rules of the game have been given a major tweak.

The game will have a new hitter-friendly format the exhibition game will be entirely machine-pitched and set for a two-hour time limit/nine-inning limit, whichever occurs first. No bunting or stealing bases is allowed. A team must swing the bat to score runs. There is no penalty for swinging and missing, with each batter receiving six pitches to put the ball in play.

Lugnuts announce that Wednesday's Crosstown Showdown against Michigan State will have a different format. Pitching machines will be used and HR balls caught by fans can be exchanged for autographed memorabilia. Game will channel some Banana Ball and have a 2-hour time limit— Brian Calloway (@brian_calloway) March 30, 2026

The game will be at 6:05 p.m. at Jackson Field in downtown Lansing.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State, Lansing Lugnuts set new format for Crosstown Showdown