State High School Baseball Championships Return to Ozark in 2021

News release from Springfield Visitors & Convention Bureau

The Missouri State High School Activities Association State Baseball Championships will have a new home starting in 2021.
 
The MSHSAA board of directors designated U.S. Baseball Park as the State Baseball Championships venue from 2021 through 2025. 

The stadium in Ozark was selected in a competitive bid process over other strong venues from throughout Missouri, said Lance Kettering, executive director of the Springfield Sports Commission, which assisted in the bid with U.S. Baseball Park.
 
“The Sports Commission was honored to partner with U.S. Baseball Park in submitting the bid to host the MSHSAA State Baseball Championships,” said Kettering. “The winning bid is a testament to Coach Mark Stratton, and the entire crew at U.S. Baseball Park. We are thrilled for the opportunity to work with Coach Stratton to bring the state Baseball Championships back to our region and add to our list of outstanding events hosted in our region.”

Stratton, general manager of U.S. Baseball Park, has been instrumental in bringing quality events to the region and the all-turf complex in Ozark.
 
“Bringing the MSHSAA State Baseball Championships back to our region will no doubt be well received,” said Stratton, U.S. Baseball Park general manager. “We are very pleased and appreciative of the support of the U.S. Baseball Park management team and their commitment to bring this prestigious event to southwest Missouri.”
 
“Receiving this bid represents three things. First, it lines up with our continued goal and commitment to bring quality baseball to southwest Missouri. Secondly, it is a reflection and acknowledgement of our commitment to high school and amateur baseball and thirdly, it showcases the strength of regional partnerships. It is our privilege to continue to work with Lance Kettering, executive director of the Springfield Sports Commission to bring sporting events to the region for the benefit of our communities. We are excited to welcome families and athletes from all over Missouri to the gates of U.S. Baseball Park.”

The MSHSAA State Baseball Championships were previously held in Springfield at Meador Park from 1968-71, 1973, 1975 and 2007-2012. 

“We are excited to partner with U.S. Baseball Park and general manager Mark Stratton, the Springfield Sports Commission and the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. U.S. Baseball Park is a beautiful facility and will afford our students and communities a great baseball experience,” said Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, executive director at MSHSAA.
 
All five classes will compete in the MSHSAA State Baseball Championships at U.S. Baseball Park. Paid attendance for the championships over the past five years has averaged 8,349 each year.