CEO Spotlight: Scott Bailes, General Manager of Ballparks of America (Sponsored Content)

Scott Bailes

Q: What makes SGF unique to you?
A: The Springfield-Greene County parks system. It is so much more than I think our average citizen is aware of, with how much it has to offer. We have multiple parks, sporting facilities, an equestrian center and hundreds of trails. I’ve been on the Park Board and still haven’t been to all the park facilities.

Q: You’re an Ohio native, traveled to major cities during your 12-year career as a Major League Baseball pitcher and worked as market development manager for the St. Louis Cardinals. What brought you to Springfield – and brought you back after all that?
A: We moved to Springfield in 1976 when my dad got transferred to the federal medical center in Springfield from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [After playing] we always looked at and considered staying in spring training sites in Florida or Arizona or in Cleveland, Anaheim or Dallas area, but at the end of the day nothing ever felt like home as much as Springfield. Again, our park system is amazing. I also love that we have four seasons and the Ozark mountains.

Q: What aspects of the community and culture make you proud?
A: I love being part of a university city with Missouri State. I love what comes with having a large university in your hometown: The guest speakers, the sporting events, the concerts, I like everything that is part of being a large university city. I’ve never taken that for granted. I support it everywhere I can. I also think Springfield really makes an effort to treat our issue of homelessness humanely, and by giving people the services they need.

Q: If you had a billboard to brand and promote our city, what would it say?
A: Go Bears!

Q: Where do you predict you’ll be in five years?
A: Springfield. No change in that plan, either. We have two daughters in Colorado, one in Springfield. After retirement, I’ll visit them more and more, but Springfield will always be home.