Event Information
Date
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time
2pm – 7pm
Location
Winterplace Park | 6737 Blue Ribbon Road | Salisbury, MD
Admission
FREE - Open to the Public
Official Tournament Rules
Welcome to the 1st Annual HSB Executive Cornhole Challenge!
This event is all about friendly competition, community impact, and supporting local nonprofits. While we expect plenty of laughs, a little good-natured trash talk, and maybe a few surprise cornhole experts, we also want to make sure everyone plays by the same rules.
Tournament Format
- The tournament will feature 16 teams.
- Competition will follow a double-elimination format, meaning a team must lose twice before being eliminated.
- Standard American Cornhole Association (ACA) scoring and gameplay rules will apply.
- Tournament brackets and match assignments will be determined by random drawing by the tournament officials.
Executive and “HSB House” Rules
Executive Rule One: No blaming your nonprofit if your bags aren’t landing.
Executive Rule Two: If your team recruited a ringer, don’t be surprised if everyone else did too.
Executive Rule Three: The true winners are the local nonprofits, but the bragging rights are still worth fighting for.
- Games to 21 points
- Cancellation scoring
- No win-by-two requirement
- Referee decisions are final
- Friendly trash talk encouraged
Court and Equipment
- Boards are placed 27 feet apart (front edge to front edge).
- Each team has 4 bags.
- Teams consist of 2 players.
Court and Equipment
Scoring
Bag in the Hole (“Cornhole”)
- Worth 3 points
Bag on the Board (“Woody”)
- Worth 1 point
Bag off the Board
- Worth 0 points
The Tournament Will Feature “Cancellation Scoring”
Only the difference between the teams’ scores in each round is awarded.
Example:
- Team A scores 7 points
- Team B scores 4 points
- Team A receives 3 points for the round
A round is when two players, one from each team, complete tossing four bags.
Winning
- Games are played to 21 points.
- The first team to reach or exceed 21 points at the end of a frame wins.
- No need to win by two points.
Pitching
- Players must throw from within their designated pitching box.
- Players alternate throws until all 8 bags have been thrown.
- A foot fault occurs if a player steps beyond the front of the board before releasing the bag.
Bag Rules
A bag counts if:
- It remains on the board at the end of the round.
- It passes through the hole.
A bag does not count if:
- It touches the ground before landing on the board.
- It bounces onto the board after touching the ground.
- It is knocked off the board during play and does not return.
Foul Bags
A foul bag receives 0 points and should be removed before scoring.
Examples include:
- Stepping over the foul line /Throwing out of turn.
Nonprofit Prize Distribution
Each participating team will designate a nonprofit organization to represent prior to the tournament.
At the conclusion of the event:
- 1st Place Team’s Nonprofit will receive 60% of the tournament proceeds
- 2nd Place Team’s Nonprofit will receive 40% of the tournament proceeds
Every toss helps support a great cause, so bring your A-game!
Sportsmanship
This event is intended to be competitive, but fun.
We ask all participants to:
- Respect opponents, officials, volunteers, and spectators.
- Keep competition friendly and professional.
- Save any serious rivalries for next year’s tournament.
Friendly banter is encouraged. Unsportsmanlike conduct is not.
Officials and Disputes
- Tournament officials and referees will oversee gameplay.
- All rulings and decisions made by tournament officials are final.
- There will be no instant replay, challenge flags, or appeals to the crowd. If the referee makes a call, that’s the call.
Team Substitutions
- Teams should compete with the players identified during registration. Any substitutions must be approved before play begins.
Weather
- The tournament will be played rain or shine unless conditions create a safety concern. Event organizers reserve the right to modify the schedule if necessary.
- Have Fun!
- Most importantly, remember why we’re here, to support local nonprofits, connect with fellow community leaders, and enjoy a great afternoon together.
- Play hard. Cheer loudly. Support your nonprofit.
- Encourage your employees and your non-profit to attend
- And may the best team (or luckiest bounce) win!
16 Team Double Elimination Brackets
A 16-team double-elimination bracket starts with all 16 teams in the Championship Bracket. A team is not eliminated until it loses twice. Team numbers will be determined before the start of the tournament by random drawing.
Round Structure – Championship Bracket – Round 1
- Game 1: Team 1 vs Team 16
- Game 2: Team 8 vs Team 9
- Game 3: Team 5 vs Team 12
- Game 4: Team 4 vs Team 13
- Game 5: Team 6 vs Team 11
- Game 6: Team 3 vs Team 14
- Game 7: Team 7 vs Team 10
- Game 8: Team 2 vs Team 15
Round 2
- 8 winners advance
Round 3
- 4 winners advance
Championship Bracket Final
- 2 teams compete
- Winner advances directly to Championship Game
Second Chance Bracket
After their first loss, teams drop into the Second Chance Bracket.
- Lose a second time = eliminated
- Lose once = still alive
The Second Chance Bracket follows the same elimination format as the Championship Bracket gradually narrows from 8 teams to 1 surviving team.
Championship
Championship Bracket Champion vs. Second Chance Bracket Champion
Play continues to a second game until one team losses twice.
What to Expect
Beyond the cornhole tournament, this is a full day of community fun and celebration:
Food Trucks
Live Music
Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day.
Dunk Tanks and Games
Get your chance to dunk your favorite local executive!
Community
Connect with local business leaders, community partners, and nonprofit champions in a relaxed, fun setting.