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.
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