New owners outsource Ballparks of America management

The new owners of Ballparks of America have hired a third-party sports management firm to handle the day-to-day operations of the Branson attraction.

The ownership group — comprising Springfield businessmen Greg Snider, Paul Satterwhite, Dale Helle and Steve Strobel — announced in a news release this morning that Clearwater, Florida-based Sports Facilities Management will take on booking, marketing and other daily services for Ballparks of America. Contract terms were not disclosed in the release, and a spokesperson could not be reached for comment by deadline.

“We believe SFM is the right partner to help us achieve our dual goals of a great baseball and family vacation experience while making a significant impact on the community,” Satterwhite said in the release.

With the contract, Ballparks of America becomes part of the SFM Network, which hosts more than 25 million guests annually and is expected to produce over $1 billion in economic impact over the next five years, according to the release.

“Ballparks of America is a well-known destination in the industry, providing a unique service highlighted by the dorm experience for teams and coaches,” SFM founder and CEO Jason Clement said in the release.

SFM’s client portfolio includes the Panama City Beach Sports Complex in Florida; Rocky Mount Event Center in North Carolina; and Cedar Point Sports Center in Ohio, according to the company’s website.

Ballparks of America is known for its five replicas of iconic national stadiums, including Busch Stadium in St. Louis and Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. On 66 acres, Ballparks of America is home to youth baseball, and teams can stay on campus in suites.