Ripken Baseball

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.

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

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

• Youth baseball tournaments
• Softball tournament experiences
• Baseball vacation packages
• Youth sports events
• Spring training facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Photography Services: Professional photography partnerships with Glossy Finish, Major League Photos, and Texas PhotoWorks capture tournament moments for purchase.
4. Video Streaming: Live and on-demand game streaming via HiCast platform available for purchase at select locations.
5. Lodging Partnerships: Referral partnerships with hotels and vacation rentals provide discounted rates to tournament participants, with Ripken receiving commissions or negotiated rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• City of Pigeon ForgecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 202510-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 SportscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 January 2025Unrivaled 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 ArmourflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2024Under 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.
• RawlingsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2024Rawlings named Official Fielding Glove Partner across five Ripken facilities. Provides branded gloves and equipment for tournaments.
• Cooperstown All Star VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-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 CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRipken-branded tournaments operate at Sports Force Parks facility in Sandusky, OH. Features 12 professional synthetic turf fields with Cedar Point amusement park partnership.
• Diamond NationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner 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 RanchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor325-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 GraphicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Signage Provider of Ripken Baseball. Specializes in signage solutions for sports teams, leagues, and events nationwide.
• Tourney MachinecoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial scheduling and results platform for Ripken Baseball events. Provides mobile app for real-time schedules, brackets, results, and tournament updates.
• Glossy FinishminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial photographer for Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach, Pigeon Forge, Cooperstown, and Sandusky locations.
• Major League PhotosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial photographer for Ripken Experience Aberdeen. Professional sports photography capturing tournament moments.
• Texas PhotoWorksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial photographer for Rocker B Ranch tournaments. Captures individual and team action shots as well as portraits.
• AnkoredcoreTechnology or IntegrationAge verification partner ensuring safe playing environment. All participants must be age verified through Ankored platform.
• LeagueAppscoreTechnology or IntegrationRegistration and event management platform powering Ripken Baseball tournament registrations, payments, and team management.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ripkenbaseball
• Facebookfacebook.com/ripkenbaseball
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ripken-baseball

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ripken Baseball