James Kratch

I am the lead reporter for Buying Sandlot covering the youth sports industry. I spent over a decade reporting on professional, college and high schools sports for NJ Advance Media and XL Media, winning NSMA and APSE honors.

News

Japanese Youth Sports Company Expands Into North America

Sep 20, 2026

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2 min read

Japanese Youth Sports Company Expands Into North America

Leifras has acquired a soccer-focused school in Canada

James Kratch

News

Digging In On The Latest Youth Sports Industry Survey

Sep 20, 2026

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2 min read

Digging In On The Latest Youth Sports Industry Survey

Good Sports released its 2026 Cost of Play Index

James Kratch

Roundup

🥎 Keep An Eye On This Youth Sports Company

Sep 18, 2026

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6 min read

🥎 Keep An Eye On This Youth Sports Company

The business of youth sports

Kyle Scott, +1

News

Indian Pro Cricket Team Adds 3rd U.S. Academy

Sep 17, 2026

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1 min read

Indian Pro Cricket Team Adds 3rd U.S. Academy

It's the Delhi Capitals' fourth academy in North America

James Kratch

Stay-To-Play

Sep 17, 2026

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1 min read

Another Housing Firm Enters Youth Sports Amid Stay-To-Play Focus

GreatEvent Hospitality will team with TFO Sports

James Kratch

NFHS

Sep 17, 2026

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1 min read

FlagStat Tabbed As NFHS' Flag Football Stats Partner

It's a three-year deal

James Kratch

TeamSnap

Sep 17, 2026

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1 min read

TeamSnap Partners With Mazda To Support Coaches Nationwide

The nationwide initiative launched on 'Good Morning America'

James Kratch

Little League International

Little League Softball World Series Enjoys Exposure Boom

Sep 17, 2026

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1 min read

Little League Softball World Series Enjoys Exposure Boom

The event had a billion viewer minutes in 2026

James Kratch

Stay-To-Play

Sep 17, 2026

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2 min read

Stay-To-Play Is High Stakes For Youth Sports Industry

The hot topic is not going anywhere

James Kratch

Roundup

Sep 16, 2026

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6 min read

🥎 A Big Moment For Youth Sports

The business of youth sports

Kyle Scott, +1

News

Docusign Partners With Stephen Curry-Backed Youth Golf Platform

Sep 16, 2026

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1 min read

Docusign Partners With Stephen Curry-Backed Youth Golf Platform

The partnership will launch at the Curry Cup event

James Kratch

Facilities

Sep 15, 2026

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1 min read

Youth Sports Facilities News Roundup

A look at a trio of projects nationwide

James Kratch

News

Sep 15, 2026

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1 min read

Youth Sports News + Notes: PlayMetrics Secures New Partnership

Plus updates on Overtime, Pixellot and Shoot 360

James Kratch

News

New College Sports Bill Could Have Youth Sports Impacts

Sep 15, 2026

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1 min read

New College Sports Bill Could Have Youth Sports Impacts

Yet another piece of legislation has been introduced in Congress

James Kratch

GameChanger

Dick's Sporting Goods' Ed Stack Has Interesting Youth Sports Business Take

Sep 15, 2026

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1 min read

Dick's Sporting Goods' Ed Stack Has Interesting Youth Sports Business Take

DSG participated in a Goldman Sachs event

James Kratch

Roundup

🥎 Youth Sports Facilities Boom Is Not Slowing Down

Sep 14, 2026

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4 min read

🥎 Youth Sports Facilities Boom Is Not Slowing Down

The business of youth sports

Kyle Scott, +1

Let Kids Play Act

Youth Hockey Parents Sue Black Bear Sports Group Over Lodging Policy

Sep 14, 2026

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3 min read

Youth Hockey Parents Sue Black Bear Sports Group Over Lodging Policy

It's the second federal class action involving stay to play

James Kratch

Facilities

Sep 14, 2026

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1 min read

Youth Sports Facilities News: ExxonMobil Backing Complex In Houston Suburb

The ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center will break ground in 2027

James Kratch

Soccer

Sep 13, 2026

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1 min read

European Soccer Federation's Creative Approach To Combat Abusive Behavior At Youth Matches

The new rule is designed to ensure parents behave at games

James Kratch

Roundup

Sep 11, 2026

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6 min read

🥎 Another Federal Stay To Play Lawsuit

The business of youth sports

Kyle Scott, +1

Facilities

Sep 11, 2026

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1 min read

Youth Sports Facilities News: Former Casino Site To Become Complex

City officials in Henderson, Nevada, move forward with plan

James Kratch

News

WATCH: Youth Sports Reality Show Trailer Drops

Sep 10, 2026

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1 min read

WATCH: Youth Sports Reality Show Trailer Drops

Team Moms: Baseball debuts Sept. 24 on Paramount+

James Kratch

Sports Facilities Companies

Sep 10, 2026

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1 min read

Sports Facilities Companies Partners With BSN Sports

It is SFC's first-ever national sponsorship

James Kratch

Flag Football

Sep 10, 2026

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1 min read

MaxPreps, iFlag Set For Inaugural Girls Flag Football Event

Over 350 athletes will compete in California

James Kratch

News

Capitol Hill's Latest Youth Sports Focus

Sep 10, 2026

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1 min read

Capitol Hill's Latest Youth Sports Focus

A congressman wants to probe betting on youth sports

James Kratch