NEWS RELEASE: Dec. 13, 2024
Contact: Lance Kettering, Executive Director
Email: lance@springfieldmo.org
417-881-5300 ext. 106
SPRINGFIELD, MO—The Springfield Sports Commission is excited to announce that the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) State Baseball Championships will remain in the Greater Springfield area through 2031. The tournament, hosted at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex in Ozark, MO, has been a community staple since 2021.
The Springfield Sports Commission and the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex secured the five-year extension through a competitive bid process.
“We are pleased to announce the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex as the continued host of the MSHSAA Baseball Championships through 2031,” MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad said. “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. We look forward to partnering with the Ozark and Greater Springfield communities to create unforgettable championship experiences for years to come.”
The events, each featuring 24 teams across six classes, draw an average of 10,771 fans annually and will generate an estimated $3.45 million in positive economic impact for the Greater Springfield community over the agreement’s duration, or roughly $690,000 annually.
The championships are also expected to create approximately 3,000 room nights at local hotels (for the entirety of the agreement), or an estimated 600 annually, underscoring Great Springfield’s ability to host major sporting events that attract visitors across Missouri.
“We are proud to host numerous MSHSAA State Championships in the Greater Springfield area and are thrilled to extend this opportunity through 2031,” said Lance Kettering, executive director of the Springfield Sports Commission. “Facilities like Ozark Mountain Sports Complex play a vital role in bringing premier events to our area, and we’re fortunate to have such outstanding partners. This event’s continued success would not be possible without the exceptional team at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex.”
“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. “We’re excited to continue providing an outstanding experience for athletes, coaches, and fans in the years to come.”
The championships will occur annually from late May to early June through 2031.
The overall estimated economic impact for both events is calculated via the Destination International Economic Impact Calculator and past event history.
About the Springfield Sports Commission
The Springfield Sports Commission seeks to enhance the quality of life and stimulate positive economic growth for the greater Springfield community by promoting and developing the area as a venue for quality amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting events.
About Visit Springfield, Missouri
Visit Springfield, Missouri, is the official destination marketing organization for Greene, Christian and Polk counties in southwest Missouri. Dedicated to boosting the local economy, the bureau drives tourism and group business – bringing leisure travelers, conventions, meetings, and sporting events – through innovative marketing initiatives.