The short version
- A King County Superior Court judge ruled largely for Elysian One, Inc. (EL1) in its lawsuit against Top Tier Sports and four former EL1 employees (Beresford Booth summary).
- Under the current order, Top Tier and the individual defendants may not run a 2026 Fall Ball League, a 2027 Spring League, or Washington tournaments on the first weekend of each month from March 1 to July 31, 2027.
- The defendants filed a notice of appeal on September 18, 2026, so the case isn't over.
The case
The case is *Elysian One, Inc. v. Evasick et al.*, King County Superior Court No. 24-2-27142-2 SEA. EL1 ran the Seattle Elite League. According to the complaint as summarized by the Seattle-area law firm Beresford Booth, which is not involved in the case, four EL1 employees resigned in the summer of 2024 and started Top Tier Sports. EL1 then sued them and Top Tier. Its claims included breach of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, unjust enrichment, breach of the duty of loyalty, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference and a Consumer Protection Act claim (Beresford Booth).
The case was tried before a judge in June 2026. In amended findings dated July 13, 2026, the court found for EL1 on every claim except the Consumer Protection Act claim, and awarded damages. The court denied reconsideration on August 19, 2026 (Beresford Booth).
What each side argued
- EL1 said in its trial brief that it was formed by people who believe in the positive impact youth sports can have, and asked the court to set the details of any injunction after hearing the full trial (Beresford Booth).
- The defendants argued in their trial brief that an injunction wasn't justified, and that limiting their events would reduce youth baseball options in the area and wouldn't serve the public interest (Beresford Booth).
How the order changed in September
- July 2026: The court's ruling barred Top Tier and the individual defendants from running a Fall Ball League in 2026, a Spring League in 2027, and any Washington tournament on the first weekend of each month during the spring and summer 2027 season.
- September 1, 2026: After both sides asked the court to clarify the order, the court issued a much broader version. It barred the defendants from any youth baseball activity in Washington from September 1, 2026, to August 30, 2027, including coaching and organizing.
- September 8, 2026: At a hearing, the court told the parties to work out start and stop dates for the leagues together.
- September 17, 2026: The court signed an order the parties agreed to. It went back to the original, narrower terms and defined them (Beresford Booth).
What the current order covers
According to the September 17 order as quoted by Beresford Booth:
- Fall Ball League 2026: September 12 through October 31, 2026.
- Spring League and spring/summer 2027 tournament season: March 1 through July 31, 2027.
- First weekend of each month: a "weekend" means Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The tournament limit covers youth baseball in Washington only.
- Still allowed: the defendants aren't barred from coaching, or from providing umpires for leagues, tournaments and events outside the restricted ones.
- End date: on these terms, the restrictions end July 31, 2027.
The appeal
On September 18, 2026, all of the defendants filed a notice of appeal of the July 13 findings, the August 19 order denying reconsideration and the September 17 order (Beresford Booth). An appeal from King County goes to Division I of the Washington Court of Appeals. As of Beresford Booth's September 22 update, it wasn't known whether the defendants would ask to pause the injunction while the appeal is pending. The court's rulings could still change.
What this means for families
- Check your event dates. If your team plans to play a Top Tier event in Washington between March 1 and July 31, 2027, look at whether it falls on the first Friday-to-Sunday weekend of a month, and ask the organizer whether the court order affects it. Top Tier posts its Washington schedules for Western Washington, Eastern Washington and the Columbia River (Vancouver) area.
- Ask about refunds before you pay. Find out in writing what happens to your fees if an event is moved or canceled for any reason.
- Get the full cost in writing. Before you pay a team or league, ask for the total season cost, including tournament fees, uniforms and travel.
- Watch for updates. The appeal could change the dates or terms. Your team's coach or the event organizer should have the latest.
For more questions to ask before you sign up, see our guide to choosing the right organization.