FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Regional tournament powerhouse adds 73 fields across five markets and extends CSG's reach into the greater St. Louis region and Midwest corridor

Westfield, Ind.  — March 23, 2026 — Capacity Sports Group (CSG), the preeminent fully integrated youth sports platform and venue management company, today announced the acquisition of Play9 Sports, a high-growth tournament operator serving the greater St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding Midwest region. The transaction marks CSG's first formal acquisition since its formation through the merger of Prep Baseball and Bullpen Tournaments earlier this year.

Play9 Sports brings 65 fields across five markets to the CSG platform, including venues in the greater St. Louis-metro area, Columbia, Mo., Lake of the Ozarks, and Joplin, as well as Normal, Ill. Combined with the addition of Plummer Family Park, an eight-field turf complex, in Edwardsville, Ill., CSG adds 73 total fields under management through the acquisition.

Play9 co-founders Matt Stembridge and Jimmie Louthan will continue to lead tournament operations in the region, ensuring continuity for the clubs, coaches, and families who have made Play9 one of the fastest-growing tournament brands in the Midwest.

"Play9 represents exactly the type of organization we built Capacity Sports Group to attract and support," said Ken Kocher, CEO of Capacity Sports Group. "Jimmie and Matt have built something remarkable in a short period of time, growing from a single event to one of the most respected tournament operations in the Midwest. Their values, their commitment to the guest experience, and their relationships with clubs and coaches align directly with what we stand for. This is our first acquisition under the CSG platform, and it sets the standard for how we intend to grow: by partnering with proven operators who share our vision and raising the bar together."

A Proven Growth Story

Founded in 2019 by Louthan and Stembridge, Play9 Sports launched with a single high school baseball tournament and 20 registered teams. In the six years since, the organization has scaled to more than 100 annual events and 2,800 team registrations, spanning high school baseball, youth baseball, and fastpitch softball.

Play9's expansion into fastpitch and youth baseball in 2024, along with strategic partnerships including Midwest Premier Baseball, extended the organization's footprint into Lincoln, Nebraska; Louisville, Kentucky; and Columbia and Joplin, Missouri.

Fields Under Management

Play9 Sports operates across 65 fields in five locations:

+ St. Louis, Missouri: 26 fields (13 high school, 13 youth/fastpitch)
+ Normal, Illinois: 15 fields (7 high school, 8 youth/fastpitch)
+ Columbia, Missouri.: 10 fields (6 high school, 4 youth/fastpitch)
+ Joplin, Missouri: 8 fields (high school)
+ Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri: 6 fields (youth/fastpitch)

Additionally, CSG will operate Plummer Family Park in Edwardsville, Illinois, an eight-field turf complex that further strengthens the organization's presence in the St. Louis metro area.

"Prep Baseball and Prep Baseball Tournaments have done a tremendous job in the industry for a number of years," said Stembridge. "Their team hosts incredible events and provides athletes, coaches, and scouts an experience that is second to none. The Play9 staff looks forward to championing Prep Baseball events in the market for years to come. Our values and vision align, and teams should expect the same great customer service, with an attention to exposure and data collection that all have come to expect from a Prep Baseball event."

The Play9 acquisition advances CSG's strategy of uniting best-in-class regional operators under a national platform that connects venues, events, scouting, media, technology, and teams. CSG's integrated model allows acquired organizations to retain the local relationships and operational identity that made them successful while gaining access to the infrastructure, technology, and scale of a national platform. As CSG continues to expand its footprint, the organization remains focused on partnering with operators who share its commitment to delivering a consistent, high-quality experience for athletes, families, and communities.

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Matt and Jimmie to the family,” said Prep Baseball President Sean Duncan. “I’ve long admired how they go about their business, professionally and ethically, and their track record of execution. Play9 is a perfect fit.” 

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About Capacity Sports Group

Capacity Sports Group is a fully integrated youth sports platform and venue management company, built to connect facilities, events, scouting, media, technology, and teams into one coordinated experience for athletes and families. CSG's platform is built on six pillars: facility management, tournaments, showcases and scouting, technology and media, teams, and strategic partnerships. By the end of 2026, CSG expects to operate nearly 150 diamonds and fields across premier sports complexes nationwide. For more information, visit capacitysportsgroup.com.

About Play9 Sports

Founded in 2019, Play9 Sports is a tournament operating company based in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, hosting more than 100 annual events across high school baseball, youth baseball, and fastpitch softball. Play9 operates at 65 fields across Missouri, Illinois, and surrounding Midwest markets. For more information, visit play9sports.com.

About Prep Baseball

Founded in 2005, Prep Baseball is a scouting and events company powered by proprietary technology, built to evaluate and promote amateur baseball athletes with verified data, video, and year-round coverage. With scouting infrastructure across 47 states, Canada, and Taiwan, Prep Baseball delivers hyper-local insight backed by a trusted national brand. For more information, visit prepbaseballreport.com.

Media Contact: 
Mike Cellucci, Vice President, Media
[email protected]

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