A bold new partnership between Play It Forward and Prep Baseball is expected to put North Texas on the map as a premier destination for elite youth baseball tournaments.
The deal will bring an estimated 44 weeks of baseball events annually to the Play It Forward Roanoke Sports Complex, with eight weeks dedicated to national-level tournaments.
Organizers anticipate the events will draw around 2.2 million visitors each year — a major boon for the region’s hotels, restaurants, and small businesses.
The partnership builds on momentum previously reported by The Dallas Express in September 2024, when Play It Forward broke ground on the $60 million sports facility. The complex was launched by former MLB pitcher Blake Beavan and businessman Dave Dickson, co-founders of Play It Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to combining youth sports with community impact.
“This park is about more than athletics — it’s about fostering growth and opportunities for our youth. It’s about creating a hub for community engagement and economic opportunity,” Dickson said in a press release announcing the groundbreaking.
Now, with Prep Baseball on board, that vision will be made a reality.
Prep Baseball, a national leader in tournament programming, brings a reputation for organizing top-tier events that draw scouts, media, and collegiate programs. Blake Hibler, the group’s senior vice president of operations, said the Roanoke partnership represents a “perfect fit” for their mission.
“We’ve been committed to creating top-tier tournament experiences, and this collaboration takes that mission further,” Hibler said in a press release. “It’s about more than just baseball; it’s about building community and enhancing the sports experience for everyone involved.”
City officials see the partnership as a game-changer.
“This partnership is a major step forward for Roanoke, offering a premier venue for youth sports that will drive economic growth and bring new opportunities to our community,” Roanoke City Manager Cody Petree said in the press release. “It’s a significant development that will not only attract visitors but also elevate Roanoke’s standing as a thriving center for family activities and community engagement.”
Roanoke has already begun to see the ripple effects. As The Dallas Express previously reported, early philanthropic support for the Play It Forward Foundation has come from local donors and business leaders who believe in the project’s long-term vision. With the ballfields expected to open in late 2025 and mixed-use retail space to follow in 2026, the complex is set to become a fixture in the region’s sports and economic landscape.
For Play It Forward, the mission remains clear: use sports as a vehicle for empowerment, engagement, and lasting community change.