BALTIMORE, Md. – Ripken Baseball has acquired Baseball Factory and Softball Factory, an organization focused on player development for ages 11 to 18.
Founded in 1994 with a focus on training and the college recruiting process, Baseball Factory and Softball Factory works with athletes to navigate the college recruiting process and prepare them for baseball and softball at a higher level.
“The acquisition of Baseball Factory and Softball Factory allows us to return to our roots of individual player development,” says Ripken Baseball co-founder Bill Ripken. “While we continue to offer Big League Experiences for teams and players beginning at the 8U level, today’s news makes it possible for Ripken Baseball to be part of a young player’s journey throughout their childhood, from 8 to 18.”
Through Baseball Factory’s guidance over a 30-year span, more than 100,000 players have earned a spot on a college team; 5,000 players have been drafted by a professional team, including 200 first-round draft picks; and 600 players have risen to the MLB level.
MLB stars such as Bo Bichette, Bobby Witt, Jr., Anthony Rizzo, Gunnar Henderson, Nick Castellanos, and many more have participated in Baseball Factory events. Jackson Holliday, the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft, is also a Baseball Factory alum.
“We are incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished over the last 30 years and the thousands of players who we helped reach their maximum potential,” says Baseball Factory founder Steve Sclafani. “Ripken Baseball is the ideal company to continue the growth of Baseball Factory and Softball Factory for future generations of players. I look forward to seeing what we achieve together as the Ripkens have long been at the epicenter of the growth of our game at the youth level.”
Baseball Factory and Softball Factory’s evaluation of a player includes middle schoolers and high schoolers participating in its annual National Showcases and Evaluation events. Once a player evaluation is complete, the organization places a player in the appropriate development program. Players flow through its system, similar to how many young prospects move through the levels of a Major League organization.
At each level, players are challenged both physically and mentally. They participate in competitions, high-level individualized training and coaching, and accelerated techniques while focusing on baseball IQ, life skills, and academic guidance.
One hundred percent of Division I and Division II college baseball programs and 96 percent at the Division III level have at least one Baseball Factory alum on their current rosters. On the softball side, 88 percent of Division I and Division II schools have at least one Softball Factory alum, and 71 percent at the Division III level.
