EL1 Sports

What EL1 Sports does

EL1 Sports is a national youth baseball and softball training and operations platform headquartered in Tacoma, WA and founded in 2017. The company runs a network of 25 training facilities across the United States staffed by 300 instructors, many of whom are former professional and collegiate players, and serves youth athletes through skill sessions, lessons, camps, clinics, team training, and tournament operations. Its product architecture is organized as a platform-plus-modules: core EL1 Baseball and EL1 Softball sub-brands sit alongside Premier Sports Tournaments (100+ baseball and fastpitch softball tournaments, 15,000+ annual participants, dominant Pacific Northwest market share with growing Las Vegas and Arizona presence), EL1 Quickball (a modified format for 4-5 year olds that has driven approximately 50% registration growth at partner clubs over three years), RISE Football (football camps, clinics, and 7-on-7 programming), and three MLB team-affiliated branded training centers (Mariners Training Center, Dodgers Training Academy, Pirates Training Center). The underlying technology stack centers on HitTrax simulation and performance tracking systems deployed in facilities and tournament operations, rather than on proprietary software or AI/ML platforms.

The business model combines subscription-style facility memberships and skill sessions, one-time camp and clinic fees, tournament entry and sponsorship transaction revenue, professional services team training for 212 Powered By Teams, and managed admin services (budgeting, player registration, fee billing, uniform ordering) for youth sports organizations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Distribution runs through EL1-owned facilities, MLB-stadium-based programming, branded MLB team training centers, and community-level RBI/ACCESS initiatives for underserved communities. The commercial anchor is a multi-year official partnership with Major League Baseball naming EL1 the official youth baseball and softball training partner, supplemented by 2023 partnerships with the Seattle Mariners, the previously established Los Angeles Dodgers (2021) and Pittsburgh Pirates affiliations, and the July 2023 acquisition of On Deck Circle. Customer mix is dominated by long-tail individual families (SMB/consumer) with a growing B2B layer of youth leagues and travel-ball organizations.

Name

EL1 Sports

Legal name

EL1 Sports

Website

https://EL1SPORTS.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

EL1 Sports is a national youth baseball and softball training and operations platform operating 25 facilities, 100+ tournaments, and team training for 212 teams across the US. Founded in 2017, it serves as MLB's official youth training partner alongside Mariners, Dodgers, and Pirates branded facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Training Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Collegiate & Scholastic Tournament Organizers (MPAKADAG), Intramural Sports & Recreational Leagues (EDALAIAC)

Keywords

• Youth sports training
• Baseball instruction
• Softball development
• Sports facility operations
• Youth athletic programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Facility Training & Memberships: Revenue from membership-based access to training facilities offering skill sessions, lessons, and year-round training for baseball and softball players.
2. Camps & Clinics: Spring break and summer camps, pitching and catching clinics, and specialty programs held in facilities, Major League stadiums, and community locations.
3. Tournament Operations: Premier Sports Tournaments division operates over 100 top baseball and fastpitch softball tournaments with dominant market share in the Pacific Northwest and growing presence in Las Vegas and Arizona.
4. Team Training Services: Position- and skill-specific instruction provided to teams from elite travel ball through Little League by former professional and collegiate players.
5. Admin Services: Administrative services for youth sports organizations including budgeting, player registration, fee billing and collections, and uniform ordering.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EL1 Sports operates a national network of 25 training facilities delivering youth baseball and softball instruction through skill sessions, lessons, camps, and clinics, staffed by 300 former professional and collegiate players. The company also provides team training and administrative services (registration, billing, uniform ordering) to youth sports organizations and runs the Premier Sports Tournaments division operating over 100 competitive events.

Product overview

EL1 Sports is a national youth sports training company operating as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core consists of EL1 Baseball and EL1 Softball sub-brands, supported by 25 facilities nationwide and 300 instructors. The portfolio includes MLB-affiliated training academies (Dodgers Training Academy, Mariners Training Center, Pirates Training Center), Premier Sports Tournaments (operating 100+ tournaments), EL1 Quickball (youth modification format), and RISE Football. Service modules include Skill Sessions, Camps & Clinics, Lessons, Powered By Team Training, and Powered By Admin Services. The company also runs ACCESS programs for underserved communities and has a partnership with Major League Baseball as the official youth baseball and softball training partner.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EL1 Baseball: Core baseball training and player development brand offering skill sessions, camps, and instruction
• EL1 Softball
• Premier Sports Tournaments
• Dodgers Training Academy
• Mariners Training Center
• Pirates Training Center
• EL1 Quickball
• RISE Football
• Softball University
• Alliance Performance Center

Products and services

• Skill Sessions Membership-based recurring training sessions available at multiple EL1 facility locations (Ambler, Dubuque, Newtown Square, Hainesport, Feasterville/Huntingdon Valley, Utica, Reading), providing ongoing instruction and facility access for youth athletes.
• Facilities Network of 25 training facilities nationwide equipped with next-generation technology and staffed by 300 instructors, supporting athletes of all ages, skill levels, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Camps & Clinics Special programs held in EL1 facilities, Major League stadiums, and communities including spring break and summer camps, pitching and catching clinics, and 7-on-7 camps for baseball, softball, and football players.
• Lessons One-on-one or small group instruction for baseball and softball players delivered by qualified staff using a blend of teaching, technique, and technology throughout the year.
• Powered By Team Training Operating system for teams from elite travel ball down through Little League providing position- and skill-specific instruction by former professional and collegiate players to complement existing coach programs; currently serving 212 teams.
• Powered By Admin Services Behind-the-scenes administrative services for youth sports organizations and volunteers including budgeting, player registration, fee billing and collections, and uniform/fan gear ordering.
• Premier Sports Tournaments Tournament operations division running over 100 top baseball and fastpitch softball tournaments with dominant market share in the Pacific Northwest and growing presence in Las Vegas, Arizona, and elsewhere, serving 15,000 annual participants.
• EL1 Quickball Modified youth baseball format designed for 4 and 5 year old age groups featuring faster pace of play and accelerated skill development, with registrations growing by almost 50% in 3 years at partnered youth clubs.
• ACCESS Programs Programs and instructional support for athletes, families, and coaches in underserved communities, including MLB Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) initiatives, coach/mentor training, community events, and equipment/facility access.
• RISE Football Football training brand offering camps, clinics, and 7-on-7 programs for football players of all ages and skill levels.
• Dodgers Training Academy MLB-affiliated training academy in partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing youth baseball instruction, development programs, and community-based initiatives targeting low-income communities.
• Mariners Training Center MLB-affiliated training center in partnership with the Seattle Mariners, offering youth baseball training and development in the Seattle market.
• Pirates Training Center MLB-affiliated training center in partnership with the Pittsburgh Pirates, providing youth baseball instruction in the Pittsburgh market.

Quantifiable outcome

• Quickball program registrations grew by almost 50% in 3 years at partnered youth clubs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Seattle MarinerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Mariners Training Center partnership with EL1 Sports to launch youth training centers. The partnership was covered by Sports Business Journal and KING 5 news, establishing branded youth baseball training facilities in the Seattle market.
• Major League Baseball (MLB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership making EL1 Sports the official youth baseball and softball training partner of MLB. The partnership supports existing local youth sports ecosystems and promotes baseball growth by expanding access to high-quality instruction for players of all skill levels and socioeconomic backgrounds. Creates significant opportunities for the entire EL1 youth sports ecosystem.
• Los Angeles DodgerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDodgers Training Academy partnership with EL1 Sports. MLB.com reported on MLB investing in youth coaching through this partnership. Training programs include camps in Hawaii and community-based initiatives targeting low-income communities.
• Pittsburgh PiratescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPirates Training Center partnership with EL1 Sports establishing branded youth baseball training facilities in the Pittsburgh market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Skyhawks Sports Academy: Operates youth sports camps and clinics across baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, and more, with national reach through franchise and partner locations. Comparable in camp/clinic distribution model and multi-sport footprint.
• TopTier Baseball: National baseball training-facility and tournament operator serving youth travel-ball and high-school players. Closely comparable to EL1 in combining facility memberships with tournament operations.
• Baseball Factory: Long-running youth baseball and softball player-development platform offering tryouts, training, and showcases. Comparable to EL1 in player-development curriculum and national reach, though more showcase-heavy than facility-heavy.
• Ripken Baseball (Ripken Experience): Operates youth baseball camps, tournaments, and training experiences (including the Aberdeen / Myrtle Beach Ripken Experience complexes) with strong MLB-adjacent credibility. Directly comparable to EL1 in combining camps, tournaments, and branded training facilities.
• D-BAT Sports: National baseball and softball training-facility franchise offering lessons, camps, and team training across a multi-state network. Closest direct peer to EL1's core facility-based youth training model, though without EL1's MLB league-level designation.

Broad incumbents

• USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association): Governing body and tournament operator for youth baseball, softball, and other sports with national tournament infrastructure. Most direct comparator to EL1's Premier Sports Tournaments division.
• i9 Sports: National youth-sports-league franchise offering flag football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball programs for kids. Comparable in franchise-based youth-sports delivery, broader across sports than EL1.
• Little League International: National governing body for youth baseball and softball, serving millions of players through local leagues. Complementary rather than directly competitive with EL1, but defines the league ecosystem EL1's team-training and admin services plug into.

Emerging players

• IMG Academy: Premier multi-sport training and boarding academy focused on elite athlete development (including baseball). Comparable in premium coaching and tech-enabled facilities, though oriented toward elite rather than mass-market youth participation.

Others

• GameChanger (DICK'S Sporting Goods): Team-management and live-streaming platform widely used by youth baseball/softball families and coaches. Adjacent technology layer; if EL1 deepens admin-services automation, it intersects directly with GameChanger's team-management workflow.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EL1Sports
• Instagraminstagram.com/el1sports
• Xx.com/el1sports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about EL1 Sports