Bailes Returns to Springfield Cardinals As Community Ambassador
(Branson, MO) March 9, 2023 – After three years of incredible leadership and service, Ballparks of America General Manager Scott Bailes has announced his departure from the organization. The former MLB pitcher will return to the front office of the Springfield Cardinals – the AA minor league affiliate for the St. Louis Cardinals – as the Baseball and Community Ambassador.
Scott Bailes has been instrumental in developing the Ballparks of America brand since a transition in ownership took place in 2020. He led a team of faithful employees through the transition and implemented strong management strategies to ensure every employee and visitor had a positive and memorable experience at the complex. He worked closely with his staff to ensure all work was in place to continue to improve the Ballparks of America facility and experience.
“It’s been an incredible journey and honor working with this team over the past few years,” said Bailes. “I am proud to have been part of a tremendous group of people who helped elevate Ballparks of America to new heights.”
Bailes has led a team of passionate employees who will miss him greatly and wish him all the best in his future position. The team knows his passion for baseball started in southwest Missouri when his played at Parkview High School in Springfield. His continued work to expand and improve the baseball experience in the Ozark Mountains has been appreciated by all he has interacted with – including the Ballparks of America ownership.
“Ballparks of America’s ownership group appreciates everything Scott has accomplished here,” shares Owner Paul Satterwhite. “To build an experience in Branson that is an asset to the national baseball community is no easy feat. He has worked incredibly hard to shape a leadership team ready to take the reins, taking Ballparks of America to the next level. His legacy will be both the experiences he helped create for over 15,000 players and their families over the past three years and the lifetime memories that will be created for years to come. We are confident that he will continue to do great things as an ambassador for the Cardinals.”
Moving forward, the complex hopes to announce an interim leadership as the search begins for a new General Manager who can build upon all that Bailes achieved during his time with the organization. Management firm Sports Facilities Companies appreciates all Bailes has done for the complex and wishes him well in the future.
“Scott has been a fabulous leader and tremendous asset to Ballparks of America,” says Lori Moore, Account Executive of SFM. “The park saw unprecedented success during his tenure because of Scott’s clear love for the game. It truly showed in everything he did, and we wish him the best of luck in this new chapter.”
Bailes’ rich history in professional baseball started in the 1986 season with the Cleveland Indians, and his major league career spanned nearly ten seasons, with stops in Cleveland, California, and Texas. Upon retirement, he returned to southwest Missouri where he worked with the Cardinals organization for eight seasons as Director of Development and continues today as the color commentator on all television broadcasts.
As he departs, Ballparks of America is preparing to bring hundreds of teams to the complex during its Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. The 70-acre world-class baseball destination for players 9- 14 years old attracts thousands of visitors annually to its home city of Branson, MO. Its campus comprises five Major League replica fields, team suites, and state-of-the-art eateries. The park hosts major national tournaments in the spring and summer months, and delivers the ultimate baseball experience for players, families, and coaches.
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Located in Branson, Missouri, Ballparks of America operates two international baseball tournament destinations – Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri, and Sho-Me Baseball on the shores of Table Rock Lake. The signature features of Ballparks of America include our on- campus Team Suites and our 2/3-scale replicas of 5 Major League fields, complete with the dimensions and elements that make each of these iconic stadiums unique. Sho-Me Baseball offers a more historic baseball experience to youth, high school, and college players and their families, featuring four fields and team dormitories. Ballparks of America is a member of the SFM Network, the nation’s largest and fastest growing network of sports facilities and is operated by the industry-leader in outsourced operations, Sports Facilities Management. Learn more or register for your next tournament: www.ballparksofamerica.com and www.shomebaseball.com.
