This is Buying Sandlot — the only newsletter that focuses solely on the business of youth sports.
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In the email today:
📺 CNBC Will Broadcast Ripken World Series
The financial news network will carry a handful of games at the Babe Ruth League 2025 Cal Ripken Major 12/70 World Series this weekend in partnership with SportsEngine Play.
This will be the first time the event has aired on TV nationally since 2008.
The U.S. title game will be aired tonight at 7 p.m. ET followed by the international championship at 10 p.m.
The world title game will air tomorrow at 4 p.m.
The broadcasts are the start of a multi-year deal between Babe Ruth and SportsEngine that also involves robust streaming coverage.
From the release:
The World Series events in 2025 are a component of a multi-year partnership. Beginning in 2026, SportsEngine Play will stream tournament games from all eight Babe Ruth League regions, as well as the championship games of the Babe Ruth Major 12/70 World Series. The partnership also will include SportsEngine HQ, a leader in technology services for youth and amateur sports, which will continue to provide Babe Ruth League with team-management technology, safety services, and streaming.
Me, three weeks ago, writing about NFL Flag’s TV success:
“So if I’m a linear network head or major streaming company exec, I’m thinking about how to air:
more youth-oriented national championships
prime-time Texas high school football
turning IMG Academy into this generation’s Notre Dame
prying the Ripken Baseball Championship off of "Region Sports Network”
Last night, ESPN aired (Georgia) high school football, and tonight CNBC will air the Ripken World Series.
Obviously this is just the start of media execs reaching farther down the sports stack for programming (from pro to college to high school to youth).
Of course, the LLWS and NFL Flag got the full might of Disney-ESPN in terms of promotion and production. It sounds like the Ripken experience will be more of a simulcast, so don’t expect massive ratings.
Still, the recipe is there. And with a good chunk of kids in America in a Ripken area, expect plenty of interest.
⚾️ Little League Takes a Stance
The Little League World Series is in full swing.
As is betting on the competition. To the point that Little League International was compelled to address the issue with a statement (pictured here) yesterday.
The issue is not with legal, regulated books like DraftKings and FanDuel — they don’t offer LLWS action. But unregulated books are, and without much shame.
One of them told the Patch it has been offering LLWS action for years and "will take more [handle] on these Little League games than we will on any professional tennis or soccer match over the next two weeks."
We’ll have much more on the actual business of the LLWS next week.
I was initially surprised Little League International said anything because the statement brought an avalanche of attention to a situation that was not on the front burner.
But I am glad they did. While this may not be a widespread problem, but it is definitely there. Remember a local lawmaker in Cincinnati sounded the alarm about gun violence tied to illegal youth football wagering back in April.
It feels inevitable that we will have a massive college sports scandal some point (and one may already be in the works).
The secrecy permitted in college sports — practices closed to the media, non-existent or insufficient injury reporting systems, etc. — is setting the stage for a disaster.
Every single person involved in a program has access to information that is not publicly available and is of value to bad actors.
The same can be said about the Little League World Series. And it could be even worse given the lack of data and regulation and the wild unpredictability of what 11- and 12-year-olds will do in high-pressure situations.
The professional leagues do not have these concerns as much because they ensure a level of transparency that safeguards the integrity of the competition.
🤝 GameChanger Partners With Positive Coaching Alliance
The Dick’s Sporting Goods-owned youth sports platform will be leveraged to amplify PCA content.
A key component: GameChanger and PCA will collaborate on a survey for youth sports parents and caregivers. The data will be used to create coaching resources and other content for GameChanger users.
GameChanger users will also receive free access to PCA’s online parent course through the end of August.
"At GameChanger, we believe youth sports change lives on and off the field. We know coaches are often the most influential voices in a young athlete’s journey. By teaming up with PCA, our goal is to provide them, as well as the parents and organizations we serve, with the tools, resources, and support they need to shape confident, resilient young athletes who carry those lessons for life." -- Rebecca Wasserman, GameChanger VP of Strategy, Operations, and Impact
"This partnership with GameChanger aligns perfectly with PCA’s commitment to making youth sports more positive, equitable and accessible, for all children. We are excited to learn from GameChanger’s loyal audience, and get tools in the hands of coaches and parents to help young athletes become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the field." -- Jason Sacks, PCA CEO
🧱 Youth Sports Facilities News
The owner of a St. Louis-based trucking company wants to turn a defunct bowling alley into an indoor youth sports complex.
The $1M proposal calls to turn the former Show Me Lanes location into a 22.5K-square-foot facility.
Plans call for two soccer fields, a basketball/volleyball court and a pickleball court.
🤦♂️ Coaches Behaving Badly
Two youth football coaches in Detroit have been suspended by the city’s Police Athletic League after throwing punches at an official.
The official will be suspended for the season as well; the coaches’ accused him of unprofessional behavior.
The incident happened during an unsanctioned preseason fundraiser game and was caught on tape.
The coaches’ team has been banned from playing at the high school where the incident occurred.
📋 Job Alert: Chief Financial Officer, Pioneer Sports
The youth soccer organization is seeking "a driven financial leader who is passionate about growth, operational excellence, and making an impact in youth sports."
The position is based in San Diego and partners with Pioneer’s controller and its finance team. You can learn more from COO Brian Enge’s post on LinkedIn.
🔗 Youth Sports Links
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Good game.