More than a ballpark From the cover
The ballpark’s impact Ballpark attendance
The background
What you need to know
Built by the city as an economic development project in 2005 for around $22.7 million, the ballpark is 35 acres and offers six fields with an indoor pavil- ion, restaurants and bars, among other amenities, according to League City’s website. It is the ballpark’s amenities that prompted Angel Romero, a Spring resident and Texas Youth World Baseball Classic’s organizer, to move the tourna- ment to League City, he said. “My kids are always asking when we’re playing at [the ballpark],” Romero said. However, officials hope baseball isn’t all the facility can offer. Lauren Siple, business develop- ment manager for the Ballpark at League City, said her goal is to have the facility host different types of events, such as corporate business parties, wedding receptions and birthday parties. Those future events can help bring in more people and revenue, both of which increased from from fiscal year 2022-23 to FY 2023-24, data shows. Officials expect that trend to continue.
200,000
The city has always owned the venue but previously contracted out different management companies to run it in return for a portion of the revenue generated, officials with the ballpark and city said. However, the city opted in February 2024 to take over management of the venue after having issues with two previous companies, among which included late rent payments. City officials then upgraded the venue with new digital scoreboards and renovated one of the venue’s two restaurant floors, among other changes, Ballpark Assistant General Manager Angelo Chiarello said. The upgrades are part of the plan to bring in more business, such as the youth tournament Texas Youth World Baseball Classic. The event, scheduled from March 13-16, could boost the city’s profile and bring in more tourism, officials said.
153,000
140,000
2024
2023
2025*
Ballpark revenue
$5.51M
$4.13M
$3.3M
FY 2024-25*
FY 2022-23
FY 2023-24
*PROJECTED
SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Ballpark history
2005
Ballpark is built for around $22.7M using city funds; city enters agreement with Big League Dreams USA January: City Council terminates agreement due to deteriorating conditions Fall: City enters agreement with TC Sports Group LLC, which will
Breaking down the tournament
2021
Also of note
2022
Romero said the tournament will consist of youth baseball players from all around the world competing for their respective countries. Last year, which was the tournament’s inau- gural year, saw 29 teams compete in Spring. That number is close to doubling this year, he said. “We have kids from France, three teams from Mexico, two from Puerto Rico,” Romero said. “The success has been how big it’s grown. And … League City has given us their full support.”
$12M in projected tourism spending for League City
55+ teams competing from 12+ countries
2023
invest $2M into facility* March: Ballpark reopens February: City terminates agreement and takes over management of ballpark
2024
Ages 8-14 allowed to compete
23K visitors at 2024 tournament in Spring
2025
*CITY COULD NOT CONFIRM IF TC SPORTS DID SPEND $2M ON FACILITY
SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCES: LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS YOUTH WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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