SPORT 1 Layout 1
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SPORT_303_Layout 1 10/17/16 12:00 AM Page 303 SPORT_304-305_Layout 1 10/17/16 9:18 PM Page 304 Meet TEAM Maryland ith venues for virtually every sport, Maryland draws Cecil County teams from across the country and internationally for A short trip from Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware, Cecil high-profile competition. Whether you want to host your County is known for its equestrian competitions. The Fair Hill T rain- nextW tournament in a thriving city like Baltimore or your cross ing Center is considered one of America’s premier thoroughbred train- country meet in the Appalachian foothills, Maryland Sports—the ing facilities, and it’s only part of the Fair Hill Natural Resour ce Management Area’s 5,600 acres; also on property are the Fair Hill In- Sports Commission of Maryland—has the connections and partners ternational, Fair Hill Races and the National Steeplechase Association. in TEAM Maryland that can cater to you and your athletes’ needs. For field hockey, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse and soccer tournaments, the county’s Calvert Regional Sports Park is an ideal venue. Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Maryland’s capital county boasts over 500 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline for all varieties of water sports. The United States Naval Acad- emy facilities can accommodate football, soccer and indoor sports for your next tournament, and the campus hosts the annual Military Bowl for collegiate competition. Other notable venues include the Chesapeake BMX Track, rated as one of the best on the East Coast, and Sandy Point State Denise Bosmans Park, which can host sand volleyball competitions. Senior Sports Manager Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Sandy Turner Cindy Cantor [email protected] Tourism Coordinator Superintendent of Recreation 410-280-0445 Cecil County Tourism Cecil County Department of [email protected] Parks and Recreation Visit Harford 410-996-6299 [email protected] Former Baltimore Oriole and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. selected this 410-392-4537 county as the site for the Ripken Experience Aberdeen and Leido’s Field at Ripken Stadium. Ideal for baseball and softball tournaments throughout the year, the complex is also home to the Aberdeen Ironbirds minor league team. Home to the majestic Pete Dye-designed Bulle Rock and six other public golf courses, Harford County is also a great location for golf tour - Baltimore2 naments. Soccer and lacrosse fans can also call Harford home, as the Cedar Greg Pizzuto Baltimore City and County—collectively Baltimore2— features Lane Regional Park and Carsins Run Complex combine for an ideal field Executive Director the biggest assortment of sports sites in the state and boasts sports mega-complex. Visit Harford lodging and dining for all group sizes. Professional-level facilities [email protected] include Camden Yards Sports Complex, home to the Baltimore 443-752-6926 Orioles, Ravens and high profile events like Baltimore Running Visit Montgomery County Festival and Army v. Navy. Perhaps the City’s crown jewel is the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. If you take Montgomery County is prolific in the soccer community , hosting a short trip into the countryside, the County boasts well recognized renowned events like the Discovery Cup Soccer Tournament and the US equestrian terrain and facilities like Shawan Downs, Mar yland Youth Soccer National Championship at the Mar yland Soccerplex. MoCo, Fairgrounds and Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University. The as it is commonly referred to, has frequently been on the national and County also features Caves Valley Golf Course, home of the 2017 international spotlight as the host of major golf competitions like the US Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS championship and host of the Open and AT&T National. The US Olympic Diving team practiced at the inaugural LPGA International Crown. Montgomery County Aquatic Center before the 2012 Olympics. Kelly Groff President & CEO Visit Montgomery County [email protected] 240-777-2062 Christina Ghani Marjorie Hampson Sports Sales Manager Director Visit Baltimore Baltimore County Tourism & Promotion [email protected] [email protected] 410-659-8358 410-887-2849 304 Sports Planning Guide @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG SPORT_304-305_Layout 1 10/17/16 9:10 PM Page 305 Prince George’s County CVB Part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Prince George’s County is home to the University of Maryland and FedEx Field. The university’s exceptional venues include ERC Natatorium for swimming and diving competitions and the newly renovated Cole Field House for indoor football. In addition to hosting the Washington Redskins, FedEx Worcester County Department Field has also welcomed international soccer tournaments and live of Recreation and Parks musical performances. Worcester County, Maryland’s only seaside county , is the top Carl Smith choice for all diamond and field events, such as being one of the hosts Marketing Manager Prince George’s County CVB of the expanded USSSA Softball Eastern World Series. One-of-a-kind [email protected] facilities such as John Walter Smith Park and the Worcester County 301-925-9314 Recreation Center have become key complexes during the three-week- long event. The Recreation Center, a 47,000-square-foot multipurpose Visit Frederick field house is available for six court volleyball tournaments and year- With three international airports all within an hour drive, it is a round indoor events. Another highlight in W orcester is the beautiful breeze to get to Frederick County. A number of diverse events are held Assateague Island National Seashore inhabited by wild horses. here such as the National Jousting Championship and the Gran Fondo National Championship. Skate Frederick Ice Sports & More houses Paige Hurley two NHL-regulation rinks and E-ventplex at the Frederick Fairgrounds Director is able to host equestrian and BMX events. Worcester County Department of Becky Bickerton Recreation and Parks Director of Sales and Marketing [email protected] Visit Frederick 410-632-2144 x2505 [email protected] 301-600-4050 Hagerstown-Washington County CVB Ocean City Tourism Also known as the Capital of Dirt Track Racing, this county hosts the The 10-mile stretch of beach presents the per fect opportunity for JFK 50 Mile Race, Hagerstown SC Mason Dixon Cup and Mid-Atlantic sports planners. With a 440-foot-wide beach, any beach tournament MOPAR Meet. Venues like Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown Soccer can make Ocean City home. Ocean City has hosted well-known events Complex and Hagerstown BMX make this a prime location for planners. such as the Dew Tour, which gathered an audience of 105,000, and the There are also five area golf courses available. Mite Beach Bash ice hockey tournaments, held on a rink at Carousel Resort. Audrey Vargason Director of Sales Hagerstown-Washington County CVB Donna Abbott [email protected] Director 240-420-1740 x15 Ocean City Tourism [email protected] Charles County Government 410-723-8610 Only 20 minutes from W ashington D.C., Charles County hosts events such as General Smallwood International Triathlon and Bass- master Elite. With 21,000 acres of parkland, this county has plenty of room for any event. With 10 baseball diamonds, 15 grass fields, two multi-sport courts and a NHL-size ice rink, their venues provide ample Wicomico County Recreation, Parks opportunity for events. and Tourism The USSSA Eastern World Series is the spark that set the foun- Debra Pence dation for MAASA. This event started at just 90 teams in 2009 and Chief of Tourism and Special Events has grown to over 350 teams today. The county’s growing success Charles County Government [email protected] continues with the Governor’s Challenge, which raised $1.2 million 301-396-5839 in economic spending and was named “Locally Created Event of the Year” by NASC. Wicomico continued its growth by turning an Howard County Tourism and Promotion annual holiday basketball tournament from a local event to being the Host to notable soccer tournaments (SAC Columbia Invitational) biggest holiday basketball tournament on the East Coast in 2015. and road races (the IronGirl Triathlon), Howard County is a growing The Governor’s Challenge has quickly made an unmistakable impact sports market that attracts international talent. One of Maryland’s most on Wicomico during the New Year’s holiday. geographically diverse counties includes Turf Valley golf resort, soccer training sites for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and hundreds of miles of hik- James Simmons ing and cross country trails suitable for all abilities. Assistant Tourism Director Sally Slater Wicomico County Recreation, Director of Sales Parks and Tourism Howard County Tourism and Promotion [email protected] [email protected] 410-548-4914 410-313-1475 SportsPlanningGuide.com Sports Planning Guide 305 SPORT_200-203_Layout 1 9/8/15 11:32 PM Page 202 Sports Venue Tour of Maryland Eastern Shore Region Central Region Maryland Sports, the state’s sports commission, is your one-stop-shop for HENRY S. PARKER ATHLETIC COMPLEX CHESAPEAKE BMX everything sports in this East Coast state. Wicomico County Anne Arundel County Sports: Softball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, flag Sports: BMX Here is a breakdown of top facilities by football, kickball, field hockey Ranked No. 1 among all BMX tracks on the region for a taste of what Maryland Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex features four East Coast, Chesapeake BMX offers a giant has to offer sports planners. softball fields (three lighted), one lighted baseball starting hill and an eight-lane course that in- field and four lighted multipurpose turf fields. cludes a straightaway, hills, berm turns and a Amenities include two concession stands, rest- series of jumps. It has hosted the East Coast rooms, spectator seating and parking for approxi- National BMX event since 2013 and will con- mately 720. Previously hosted events include tinue to do so.