Wade Martin Named CEO of Ripken Baseball, Cooperstown All Star Village
Martin to drive expansion for Josh Harris and David Blitzer’s youth baseball portfolio
Posted On: February 15, 2024 By :Wade Martin has been named chief executive officer of Josh Harris and David Blitzer’s youth baseball portfolio, which includes Ripken Baseball, Cooperstown All Star Village, Baseball Factory and Softball Factory.
Martin is tasked with driving growth and expansion for the company’s youth sports facilities, youth tournament experiences and player development platforms. In January 2023, Harris and Blitzer completed a strategic investment in Ripken Baseball and merged the operation with Cooperstown All Star Village. Throughout 2023 they acquired Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center in Ohio, Baseball Factory and Softball Factory. In addition, Ripken Baseball launched All-Ripken Games last year with plans to expand it in 2024.
“I’m honored and humbled to join an organization that creates lifelong memories and experiences at incredible properties like The Ripken Experience and Cooperstown All Star Village,” said Martin. “Rooted in the principles set forth by Cal Ripken Jr. and Bill Ripken, Ripken Baseball has become a beacon in youth sports, imparting life skills to young athletes for over two decades. Our goal is to broaden the reach and impact of these transformative sports experiences to a greater number of players and families.”
Martin has played a role in companies such as POWDR, Bouldering Project, Snowbird, Woodward, Copper Mountain, the Dew Tour and the Gravity Games. Most recently, he served as the chief executive officer of the Bouldering Project, a climbing gym operator.
Prior to his tenure at the Bouldering Project, Martin co-led POWDR, an adventure lifestyle enterprise, overseeing its portfolio including 10 mountain resorts, camps and Outside TV. He is credited with founding the Dew Tour and Alli Sports, which was later acquired by NBC Sports.
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