CAL RIPKEN, JR., NOLAN RYAN & BILL RIPKEN UNITE TO PRESENT LEGENDS SHOWDOWN JULY 11-16, 2021 IN ROUND ROCK, TX
BALTIMORE, MD (March 17, 2021) – History is set to be made this summer when the combination of the Hall of Famers, youth baseball, and family entertainment join in Round Rock, Texas for the Legends Showdown; an inaugural event and one-of-a-kind baseball experience for ages 9U – 14U. Ripken Baseball, owners and operators of The Ripken Experience, state-of-the-art facilities in multiple states known for delivering big-league experiences, is joining Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment, also known as a premier sports and entertainment operator and ownership group this summer for a tournament experience featuring appearances by the legends themselves, Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripken.
The Ripkens and Ryans are both known for their commitment to maintaining the values and experience gained from playing the game and sharing it with today’s youth while making sure there’s a whole lot of fun along the way. This family focused baseball experience will be the first time these two baseball families have paired together to host an event of its kind. The Legends Showdown will be held in Round Rock, TX from July 11-16, 2021 at Old Settlers Park.
Cal Ripken, Jr., baseball’s Iron Man, Hall of Famer and best known for his incredible streak of 2,632 consecutive games played and brother Bill Ripken, 12-year major league player, helped make history with the Baltimore Orioles as the only time that a father (Cal Ripken, Sr.) managed two of his sons in the big leagues at the same time and helped cement the Ripkens as one of the great baseball families in the game’s rich history. After retiring, Cal & Bill created Ripken Baseball with hopes of giving back to the youth of the game in new and exciting ways.
Nolan Ryan, , Hall of Famer and record setting pitcher, carried his love of the game post retirement into business interests also focused on continuing the growth of baseball as principal owner of Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment, ownership group for the Round Rock Express, the Triple-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Partnering alongside his son Reid, the Ryans have worked to become another baseball family influencing the game and next generation in new and impactful ways.
“Seeing what the Ryan’s have done in Texas it was easy to notice the similarities in our desire to help grow the game and develop innovative programming and experiences for athletes and families while doing it The Right Way, The Ripken Way.” explained Cal Ripken, Jr. “We are thankful for the Ryans’ hospitality in what we anticipate being just the beginning of bringing Ripken Baseball to Texas.”
“We’re excited to welcome the Ripkens to Round Rock,” said Nolan Ryan. “We’ve known Cal and Bill for a number of years and know how much they appreciate the game of baseball. We look forward to working with them and their staff on what should be an incredible week for these young ballplayers and their families,” he stated.
Participants of the Legends Showdown will enjoy an unforgettable week of baseball featuring opening ceremonies, skills competitions, and appearances by Nolan, Cal and Bill. The event will conclude with bracket play and championships with teams vying for the inaugural trophy and an unforgettable night under the lights at Dell Diamond, home of the Ryans’ Round Rock Express minor league team. “Champion Fields at Old Settlers Park is the ideal setting for this type of high-level competitive baseball tournament,” says Craig Morgan, Mayor of Round Rock, Texas. Hosting the first Legends Showdown is a great opportunity for Round Rock to showcase our beautiful fields and welcome teams from all over the country and their families to the Sports Capital of Texas. Let’s play ball!”
Ripken Baseball is actively looking for strategic partnerships and venue management opportunities for the season(s) ahead. If you are interested in submitting an inquiry, please contact Amanda Shank, Vice President of Business Development, at ashank@ripkenbaseball.com. Follow @RipkenBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events.
About Ripken Baseball:
Ripken Baseball brings teammates, coaches and families together through its Big League Experiences, while teaching the values of the game, and how to play it the right way – the Ripken Way. Ripken Baseball continues to innovate the game through on-site tournaments, camps and clinics hosted at their state-of-the-art youth baseball and softball facilities – The Ripken Experience Aberdeen (Maryland), The Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), The Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge (Tennessee), and The Ripken Experience at Walt Disney World® Resort (Florida).
About Ryan Sanders Sports and Entertainment:
Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment (RSSE) is the parent company for the Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers Triple-A), RS3 Turf and RS3 Strategic Hospitality. Originally founded as Ryan Sanders Baseball in 1998, the primary ownership group for RSSE includes Nolan Ryan and his sons Reid (CEO) and Reese, and Houston businessman Don Sanders and his sons, Bret and Brad. The Express, beginning their 21st season at Dell Diamond in 2021, have consistently been ranked as one of the top organizations in all of Minor League Baseball. RS3 Turf is a leading provider of sports turf services including construction, renovation, resurfacing and maintenance of natural and synthetic field playing surfaces in all sports. RS3 Strategic Hospitality is the official food, beverage and hospitality provider for Dell Diamond (Round Rock), Circuit of the Americas, the Germania Amphitheater and Clay Kizer Golf Course (Austin), the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Brushy Creek Amphitheater (Hutto), Comerica Center (Frisco) and Blue Wahoo Stadium (Pensacola).
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