Nearly $3.5M economic impact expected from renewed baseball tournament

Local sports tourism officials have secured a five-year extension of a baseball tournament that's expected to generate a nearly $3.5 million economic impact through 2031.

The Springfield Sports Commission and the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex won a competitive bid process to keep the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Baseball Championships at the Ozark venue, according to a news release. The tournament has been hosted in Ozark since 2021.

“We are pleased to announce the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex as the continued host of the MSHSAA Baseball Championships through 2031,” MSHSAA Executive Director Jennifer Rukstad said in the release. “This facility has been continually upgraded to offer an exceptional environment for our student-athletes, coaches and fans to celebrate the pinnacle of high school baseball."

Sports tourism officials say the event will generate an estimated $3.45 million economic impact for the greater Springfield community over the duration of the agreement. That amounts to around $690,000 annually, with projections calculated through the Destination International Economic Impact Calculator and past event history. Some 3,000 hotel room nights are expected during the extent of the agreement, or 600 annually.

The championships, scheduled annually from late May to early June through 2031, are expected to draw an average of 10,771 fans per year and feature 24 teams across six classes, according to the release.

“Collaborating with the Springfield Sports Commission has been instrumental in bringing premier events like this to the greater Springfield area, showcasing our community's exceptional facilities and hospitality,” said Randy Merryman, owner of Ozark Mountain Sports Complex, in the release. “We’re excited to continue providing an outstanding experience for athletes, coaches and fans in the years to come.”

The Springfield Sports Commission in recent weeks announced three sports tournaments expected to bring nearly $3 million in economic impact to the Queen City in 2025, according to past reporting.