Baseball, LLC, a group of local investors, is gaining momentum with plans to build a baseball complex in nearby Blount County. With the help of Ripkin Design (Cal Ripken, Jr.’s Maryland-based sports consulting firm), Baseball, LLC is studying the feasibility of their proposal and could move forward as early as next year.
The project has been covered by media from all over the Eastern United States, including a report in today’s Daily Times by Matthew Stewart.
Stewart writes, “Officials said a complex in this region could operate from February through November, and they’ve estimated it could generate between $19 million and $25.5 million every year.”
And the Ripken Design people seem to agree. WBAL Sports Radio in Baltimore, Maryland says early indications are that the Ripken Design feasibility study supports Baseball, LLC’s beliefs.
WBAL quotes Jeff Eiseman, Vice President of Ripken Design saying, “These facilities typically bring in families – not just the players. These families usually come in to play baseball or softball and stay in the community for the whole weekend or longer. They stay at hotels, eat at restaurants and go out and do the same things typical vacationers do. They spend a considerable amount of money while they’re in town.”
“With a shift towards family travel in youth sports tourism, a complex must have a great location, great operations, and great amenities in and around the facilities in order to be successful. The Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge, and the Knoxville area are very conducive to the type of family travel and entertainment necessary for a destination complex.”
“After meeting with Baseball, LLC and examining their current operations, we have no doubt that they have the ability to properly operate a facility.” Eiseman says he believes the proposed facility could be a huge success, not only for Baseball, LLC but also for the growth of the game of baseball as well as the quality of life for the surrounding community.
UPDATE: Josh Flory of the Knoxville News Sentinel also has details of the story, including an interesting bit of baseball trivia connecting Cal Ripken, Jr. to Baseball, LLC’s (and former Major League pitcher) Doug Bochtler.
