RBI Austin breaks ground on $15.1 million campus to double youth enrollment

RBI Austin began construction on a new 33-acre Youth Development Complex in East Austin on Oct. 23. The project is the nonprofit’s first permanent home, replacing leased spaces it has occupied since its founding. The complex is expected to open in late 2027 and will serve as a year-round hub for sports and mentorship programs.

The organization was established in 2009 by Matt Price and Andy Harris, then baseball coaches at Reagan High School. It began with 15 participants. By 2011, enrollment had grown to more than 100. The nonprofit now serves more than 1,700 children from Austin and surrounding communities as an affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program.

The new campus will feature a roughly 115,000-square-foot outdoor ball field with dugouts and seating. A covered turf training field of more than 30,000 square feet will include batting cages and additional sports facilities. A headquarters building will contain classrooms for mentoring and academic support, a weight room, and administrative offices.

Matt Price, executive director of RBI Austin, stated that the design focuses on academic, athletic, and spiritual growth. He noted that the mission has always centered on helping children fulfill their potential through health, education, and faith. The complex will also host community events such as movie nights and graduation celebrations.

The nonprofit plans to expand its reach significantly. Within three years of the complex’s opening, RBI Austin aims to double its annual enrollment from approximately 1,700 to 3,400 youth. The organization has raised $7.2 million toward the estimated $15.1 million total cost. The remaining $7.9 million is the focus of the final phase of its capital campaign.

David James, vice president of baseball and softball development for Major League Baseball, said the league supports RBI to make athletics accessible regardless of cost. He noted that former participants are increasingly becoming coaches and working with professional clubs. All 23 members of the 2025 and 2026 RBI Austin classes are currently attending college, with 21 participating in collegiate athletics.

Reid Ryan, CEO of Ryan Sanders Baseball, described the complex as a whole-child community experience. He said the facility will offer ACT and SAT prep, homework help, and weekend groups. He characterized the project as baseball combined with a community center, intended to be a central gathering place for East Austin youth.

Travis County commissioner Jeff Travillion committed local government assistance to the project as needed. He stated that the complex will provide a safe place for area youth to learn and build camaraderie. He emphasized that the work done on the field resonates through the wider community.

Community leader Barbara Scott, president emeritus of the Colony Park Neighborhood Association, said RBI Austin is a good fit for the area. She expressed gratitude that the nonprofit chose to establish its home in Colony Park. She anticipates positive differences in the lives of local children and families.

The project team includes The Burt Group, Garza EMC, VLK Architects, Drenner Group, Dunaway, DBR, and CPM Texas. The Nolan Ryan Foundation, based in Round Rock, was credited by RBI Austin for supporting the work and the project. The organization credited the foundation and the Ryan family for making the project possible.