EL1 Sports Acquires On Deck Circle in Utica

EL1 Sports (EL1), a national youth sports training company based in Tacoma, Wash., has acquired On Deck Circle, a baseball training facility in Utica. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The deal follows EL1’s March 2023 purchase of the Detroit Diamond Jaxx Academy in Clinton Township.

“Over the years, our business at On Deck Circle has evolved from lessons and training, to teams, to a full-blown facility operation, and we’re excited for this next journey in our evolution,” says Jason Gendreau, general manager of the newly minted EL1 Utica. “EL1 brings stability, resources, and operational support. This partnership will provide our organization with the ability to expand the business, offer more programming, and better serve our local community.”

EL1 now operates 21 facilities across the country, including the three Los Angeles Dodgers Training Academies, six Seattle Mariners Training Centers, and one Pittsburgh Pirates Training Center.

“This expansion continues our ongoing efforts to reinforce and strengthen existing sports communities across the country,” says Frank Decembrino, vice president of business development at EL1. “We are excited to offer increased opportunities for local athletes to work with instructors, participate in teams, and make the most of our training facilities. Our commitment lies in creating memorable and impactful experiences for kids and families.”

EL1’s multifaceted business model utilizes training facilities, mobile camps, clinics, and administrative support.

The company’s approach with training facilities is typically to partner with or acquire existing operations. The strategy enables EL1 to complement, rather than compete with, local sports ecosystems by working with existing teams and facilities to provide better back-end administrative and operational support, stable job opportunities for former professional players, world-class instruction, and improved technology and training tools that define EL1’s programming.