Youth baseball partnership could bring 2 million visitors annually to North Texas city
Roanoke is known as the dining capital of Texas, and a collaboration between a youth sports nonprofit and the scouting service Prep Baseball could lead to the city becoming the state’s youth baseball epicenter.
On Tuesday, the youth sports nonprofit Play it Forward and Prep Baseball announced a collaboration that will enhance the Roanoke sports complex with events and tournaments while uplifting young people through sports.
According to a news release, Prep Baseball will host 42 weeks of events at the Roanoke Sports Complex, which could bring in 2.2 million visitors annually, according to a news release.
The young athletes will have a chance to compete on the national stage.
“We are thrilled to partner with Prep Baseball,” Dave Dickson, co-founder of Play It Forward, said. “Our mission has always been to create meaningful sports experiences that bring communities together, and this partnership helps elevate that vision.”
Co-founder Blake Beavan said the partnership will provide opportunities for young athletes to compete and thrive. Beavan pitched for the Seattle Mariners from 2011-14. He played high school baseball at Irving, and was selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 2007 draft.
Play it Forward is a 122-acre sports complex near downtown Roanoke that features venues for various sports including baseball and soccer. The complex will have restaurants, shops and a hotel.
The complex will feature eight full-sized baseball fields, equipped with lighting and turf.
The park aims to attract teams across multiple levels, including travel, club, recreational and community teams. It is near Texas 114 and Cleveland Gibbs Road.
The fields at the sports complex should be completed late this year with the restaurants and hotel opening in 2026.
“This is exciting news for Roanoke — supporting our families, our youth, and our local businesses,” Roanoke mayor Carl “Scooter” Gierisch said in the news release. “We’re proud to support an initiative that will have a lasting, positive impact on our community.”
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Blake Beavan’s name.
This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 1:51 PM.