Ripken Baseball
Ripken Baseball is a private youth sports operator founded by Cal Ripken Jr., running a network of branded baseball and softball tournament facilities and week-long experiences across six U.S. states for travel ball teams and families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ripken Baseball does
Ripken Baseball is a private youth sports experiences company founded by Cal Ripken Jr. and Bill Ripken and headquartered in Aberdeen, Maryland, with operations dating to 2005. The company operates a network of branded youth baseball and softball tournament facilities and experiences under "The Ripken Experience" brand across owned locations in Aberdeen, MD; Myrtle Beach, SC; and Pigeon Forge, TN, plus partner venues including Cooperstown All Star Village (NY), Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point (OH), Diamond Nation (NJ), and the recently acquired Rocker B Ranch (TX). The company serves travel ball teams, youth players aged 7U–16U, their families, high school programs, and collegiate baseball programs through 3-5 game tournaments, week-long vacation experiences, spring training programs, elite All-Ripken Games showcases, the All-Ripken Development Camp, and the newly announced Ripken Nationals 12U national championship debuting in 2026 with CBS Sports Network broadcast coverage.
The company's core technology infrastructure is built entirely on third-party platforms rather than proprietary systems: LeagueApps handles event registration, team management, and payments; Tourney Machine provides real-time scores, schedules, and brackets via a mobile app; HiCast delivers live and on-demand game video streaming at select facilities; Ankored provides age and grade verification for eligibility compliance; and pMotion supports performance tracking at the All-Ripken Development Camp. The company's primary differentiators are physical — replica MLB ballparks, Big League amenities such as walk-up music and player announcements, professional umpires, branded merchandise, and integrated lodging partnerships — combined with the Cal Ripken Jr. brand and a 20+ year operating history.
Ripken Baseball generates revenue primarily through per-team and per-participant registration fees that range from $315 to $3,550 depending on event type, location, length, and age group, with deposits of $149–$1,000 and balances due 45 days prior to events. Ancillary revenue streams include photography partnerships (Glossy Finish, Major League Photos, Texas PhotoWorks), live and on-demand video streaming via HiCast, lodging referral commissions, and on-site retail. The company is wholly owned by Unrivaled Sports, a strategic acquirer that integrated Rocker B Ranch into the network in January 2025 and is executing a multi-venue roll-up across youth sports. Sponsorship relationships with Under Armour (title sponsor of All-Ripken Games) and Rawlings (Official Fielding Glove Partner) provide additional brand and marketing support.
Ripken Baseball firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ripken Baseball
- Legal name
- Ripken Baseball
- Website
- https://ripkenbaseball.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Ripken Baseball is a private youth sports operator founded by Cal Ripken Jr., running a network of branded baseball and softball tournament facilities and week-long experiences across six U.S. states for travel ball teams and families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ripken Baseball industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Sports Experiences
- NAICS
- Spectator Sports (71121)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Professional Live Sports Leagues & Tours (MPAGAMAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Baseball & Softball Leagues (MPAKAAAC)
Keywords
Where Ripken Baseball is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Ripken Baseball business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tournament Registration Fees: Teams pay registration fees to participate in 3-5 game tournaments, week-long experiences, and spring training programs at Ripken Experience facilities. Fees vary by location, event type, and age group, with deposits required at registration and balance due 45 days prior.
- All-Ripken Games Registration: Elite showcase events with per-participant pricing ($449-$599 for baseball, $499 for softball), including 4-game guarantee and commemorative items.
- Photography Services: Professional photography partnerships with Glossy Finish, Major League Photos, and Texas PhotoWorks capture tournament moments for purchase.
- Video Streaming: Live and on-demand game streaming via HiCast platform available for purchase at select locations.
- Lodging Partnerships: Referral partnerships with hotels and vacation rentals provide discounted rates to tournament participants, with Ripken receiving commissions or negotiated rates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aberdeen 3-Game Classic Tournament |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aberdeen 4-Game Nationals Qualifier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aberdeen 5-Game Knockout Tournament |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Myrtle Beach Coastal Classic |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pigeon Forge Tournament |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cedar Point/Sports Force Parks Tournaments |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Myrtle Beach Week-Long Experience 11u-12u |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Myrtle Beach Week-Long Experience 13u-16u |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Pigeon Forge Week-Long 10u-13u |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Rocker B Ranch Week-Long Experience |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Sandusky/Cedar Point Week-Long |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | All-Ripken Games Baseball 3-Game |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | All-Ripken Games Baseball 4-Game |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | All-Ripken Games Softball |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | All-Ripken Development Camp |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ripken Nationals Qualifiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ripken Baseball product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ripken Baseball operates The Ripken Experience, a network of youth baseball and softball tournament facilities across the United States. The company sells tournament registrations (3-5 game formats), week-long vacation-style baseball experiences, spring training programs for school teams, elite showcase events (All-Ripken Games), development camps, and a national championship tournament (Ripken Nationals). All events take place at replica MLB fields with Big League amenities such as walk-up music, player announcements, and professional umpires.
Product overview
Ripken Baseball operates The Ripken Experience® — a network of youth baseball and softball tournament facilities and vacation experiences — across owned and partner locations in Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, New York, Ohio, Texas, and New Jersey. The core product line includes 3-5 game tournaments and week-long vacation experiences (Tournaments, Week-Long Experiences, Spring Training) at branded Ripken Experience facilities, plus the elite All-Ripken Games showcase and Development Camp sub-brands. The flagship event is the inaugural Ripken Nationals national championship tournament launching in 2026. Supplementary services include live video streaming (HiCast), real-time scores and schedules (Tourney Machine mobile app), age verification (Ankored), and coordinated lodging. Rocker B Ranch in Texas was acquired by parent company Unrivaled Sports and operates as a Ripken-branded baseball resort experience. All events feature professional replica fields, Big League-style amenities, and are managed through the LeagueApps registration platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ripken Nationals: Premier 12U national championship tournament debuting in 2026, featuring top teams competing at Cooperstown All Star Village with CBS Sports Network broadcast.
- All-Ripken Games
- All-Ripken Development Camp
Products and services
- Tournaments 3-5 game youth baseball and softball tournaments held at Ripken Experience facilities in Aberdeen MD, Myrtle Beach SC, and Pigeon Forge TN, plus partner locations. Features Big League amenities including walk-up music, player announcements, professional replica fields, batting cages, and bullpens. Targeted at travel ball teams ages 7U-16U.
- Week-Long Experiences Multi-day all-inclusive baseball vacation packages at The Ripken Experience facilities including Myrtle Beach, Pigeon Forge, Cooperstown All Star Village, Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point, and Rocker B Ranch. Includes 6-9 game minimum, opening day events, entertainment packages, coach gifts, and MLB ambassador appearances. Targeted at travel ball families seeking vacation combined with baseball.
- All-Ripken Games Elite youth baseball and softball showcase tournaments powered by Under Armour, held at world-class facilities. Features 4-game guarantee, pool play, bracket elimination, home run derby, player data capture, opening ceremonies, commemorative rings, and All-Tournament Team honors. Open to players aged 9U-16U by nomination or invitation.
- All-Ripken Development Camp A 2-day baseball development camp at The Ripken Experience Aberdeen focused on position-specific skill training, simulated gameplay, situational drills, performance tracking via pMotion, and mindset development for players ages 9U-14U. Optional add-ons include advanced hitting, pitching, and defense sessions.
- Ripken Nationals The first-ever Ripken Baseball national championship tournament, a 12U national championship event featuring 16 qualifying teams, broadcast on CBS Sports Network, with official Under Armour gameday uniforms, real-time GameChanger stats, and a custom Ripken Nationals trophy. Debuts June 29-July 5, 2026 at Cooperstown All Star Village.
- Spring Training Pre-season training programs for high school and collegiate baseball and softball teams at The Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach and Pigeon Forge. Features state-of-the-art facilities, flexible practice and game schedules, included lodging accommodations, and provided umpires and game balls.
- Rocker B Ranch A 325-acre youth baseball resort destination located outside Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, acquired by Unrivaled Sports. Features 6 fields, two swimming pools, on-site dining, a fishing pond, lodging, and a music venue. Hosts week-long and tournament baseball experiences for teams aged 9U-14U.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20+ years operating youth baseball tournaments
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ripken Baseball
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ripken Baseball technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature3 records
Ripken Baseball partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- City of Pigeon Forgecore10-year partnership extension through 2035 with City of Pigeon Forge to continue operating The Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge facility. City provides venue and municipal support while Ripken operates the complex.
- Unrivaled SportscoreUnrivaled Sports acquired Rocker B Ranch and integrated it into Ripken Baseball network. Unrivaled Sports is a fast-growing leader in youth sports experiences with multiple venue acquisitions.
- Under ArmourflagshipUnder Armour is the title sponsor of All-Ripken Games and All-Ripken Softball Games. Provides official uniforms and apparel for event participants. The partnership delivers brand credibility and reach for youth baseball showcase events.
- RawlingsflagshipRawlings named Official Fielding Glove Partner across five Ripken facilities. Provides branded gloves and equipment for tournaments.
- Cooperstown All Star VillagecoreWorld-class baseball facility near Cooperstown, NY serves as host venue for Ripken Nationals Championship and All-Ripken Games events. Features premium fields and resort amenities.
- Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports CentercoreRipken-branded tournaments operate at Sports Force Parks facility in Sandusky, OH. Features 12 professional synthetic turf fields with Cedar Point amusement park partnership.
- Diamond NationminorPartner venue in Flemington, NJ featuring 100+ acre complex with 12 turf fields and 18 batting cages. Hosts Ripken tournaments and All-Ripken Games events.
- Rocker B Ranchcore325-acre ranch destination outside Dallas-Fort Worth acquired by Unrivaled Sports in January 2025. Features 6 fields, resort amenities including pools, dining, fishing lake, and on-site lodging.
- AMI GraphicsminorOfficial Signage Provider of Ripken Baseball. Specializes in signage solutions for sports teams, leagues, and events nationwide.
- Tourney MachinecoreOfficial scheduling and results platform for Ripken Baseball events. Provides mobile app for real-time schedules, brackets, results, and tournament updates.
- Glossy FinishminorOfficial photographer for Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach, Pigeon Forge, Cooperstown, and Sandusky locations.
- Major League PhotosminorOfficial photographer for Ripken Experience Aberdeen. Professional sports photography capturing tournament moments.
- Texas PhotoWorksminorOfficial photographer for Rocker B Ranch tournaments. Captures individual and team action shots as well as portraits.
- AnkoredcoreAge verification partner ensuring safe playing environment. All participants must be age verified through Ankored platform.
- LeagueAppscoreRegistration and event management platform powering Ripken Baseball tournament registrations, payments, and team management.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ripken Baseball competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ripken Baseball social profiles
Digital presenceRipken Baseball financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ripken Baseball leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Ripken Baseball subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Ripken Baseball funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ripken Baseball M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ripken Baseball
What does Ripken Baseball do?
Ripken Baseball operates The Ripken Experience, a network of youth baseball and softball tournament facilities across the United States. The company sells tournament registrations (3-5 game formats), week-long vacation-style baseball experiences, spring training programs for school teams, elite showcase events (All-Ripken Games), development camps, and a national championship tournament (Ripken Nationals). All events take place at replica MLB fields with Big League amenities such as walk-up music, player announcements, and professional umpires.
Is Ripken Baseball a public or private company?
Ripken Baseball is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Ripken Baseball founded?
Ripken Baseball was founded in 2005. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Ripken Baseball based?
Ripken Baseball is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ripken Baseball make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tournament Registration Fees are the primary driver. The others are all-Ripken Games Registration, photography Services, video Streaming and lodging Partnerships.
Does Ripken Baseball have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ripken Baseball.
What industry is Ripken Baseball in?
Ripken Baseball's product category is Youth Sports Experiences. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAMAA, Professional Live Sports Leagues & Tours, with a secondary code of MPAKAAAC, Baseball & Softball Leagues. Its NAICS code is 71121 and its SIC code is 7900.