Baltimore-based Ripken Baseball, Inc. is exploring numerous markets to expand its burgeoning youth baseball empire, including Indianapolis (IN), Dallas and San Antonio (TX), Port Charlotte (FL), and Sourthern California. To buy 60-acres of land and build a complex in Indianapolis, the organization would need to raise $15-$20 million via a public-private partnerhsip. How would Indianapolis benefit? The Indianapolis Business Journal explains below:
“In exchange, Ripken would handle all operations, upkeep, marketing and programming. In addition, Ripken officials would attract about 1,500 travel youth baseball teams and 150,000 spectators annually, [Ripken’s director of projects Jim] Arnold said. He wouldn’t discuss the company’s revenue, but said the facility would generate $25 million in visitor spending and a total economic impact of $40 million.”
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