Prepare to see an abundance of jerseys on the Eastern Shore, as Wicomico County’s Tourism division heads into a record-breaking summer hosting youth sports tournaments.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the division is forecasted to support 18 baseball and softball tournaments, the majority of which will use the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex as their home base.
These tournaments are expected to draw over 1,000 teams to the Shore, resulting in over 50,000 attendees, 21,000+ hotel room nights and an estimated direct economic impact of $19.2 Million.
“Summer is a busy and rewarding time for the Tourism division,” said Kristen Goller, tourism manager for Wicomico County. “But it goes beyond us. Support from the community and local businesses is crucial to the success of these events, and we are appreciative to feel that support year after year.”
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Eastern Nationals, the largest event of the summer, is set for July 11-29. The three-week event will bring over 350 girls softball teams to the shore.
The Eastern Nationals has been hosted on the Shore since 2007, drawing over 4,200 teams and generating an estimated economic impact of over $200 Million in its tenure.
The growth of the tournament is due in part to the Mid-Atlantic Amateur Sports Alliance (MAASA), a formal sports marketing partnership between Ocean City, Wicomico County and Worcester County.
“Our partnership with MAASA is vital to large-scale tournaments like the Eastern Nationals that have expanded beyond Wicomico County’s borders,” said Goller. “We’re thankful to have partners who are dedicated to providing visitors a memorable experience while on the Shore.”
Earlier this spring, USSSA announced their intent to return to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for the next three years.
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