Over 5,000 softball players will visit Delmarva this July as the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) World Series returns to Maryland’s eastern shore. The three-legged series, which began on July 17 runs through Aug. 3, bringing over 400 girls softball teams to the region ranging in age from 10 to 18. Preliminary estimates suggest the World Series will generate an $8+ million dollar economic impact.
Wicomico County has hosted USSSA events for the last six years, but this year’s World Series surpasses all others in size and scope. The tournament has added an additional week and seen a spike in participation by 38% with a total of 402 teams currently registered. Although Wicomico County serves as the tournament’s host, its growth has necessitated an expansion beyond County borders to both fields and overnight accommodations in Ocean City and Worcester County. Realizing the economic benefits of the World Series, the town, in an unprecedented move, has partnered with Wicomico to assist in footing the $450,000 bill for this year’s tournament. Area businesses, also realizing the greatness of the tournament’s impact have come on board as sponsors of the event including Pohanka Automotive Group and Pepsi Bottling Ventures.
Despite the hefty price tag, the $8+ million economic impact generated for the community far out ways the cost. The tournament brings a demand of 16,000 room nights to the Eastern Shore. Over half of these rooms have been booked through Wicomico County’s online booking system. Based on the system inventory, hotels in Wicomico County are just about full, and at least 1/8 of bookings have spilled over into the Ocean City area. In addition to filling hotels, area businesses including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, etc. see an uptick in foot traffic brought about by the tournament.
Remaining Tournament Dates:
July 24-28: Tournament play for 14U ‘A’ / 14U ‘B’ / 16U-18U ‘C’*
July 29-Aug. 3: Tournament play for 16U ‘A’ / 16U ‘B’ / 18U ‘Open’ *
*’U’ abbreviation for Under.
The Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex in Salisbury, Md. provides the main fields of play for the series. Other fields tentatively scheduled for use in Wicomico County include the East Wicomico Little League (Salisbury), Eastside Youth Sports Complex (Willards), Fruitland Recreational Area (Fruitland) and Mason-Dixon Sports Complex (Delmar). Facilities in Worcester County that may be used include the John Walter Smith Park (Snow Hill), North Worcester Athletic Complex (Berlin), Showell Recreation Complex (Showell) and Stephen Decatur High School / Middle School (Berlin).
Tournament games are open to the public with no admission fee charged. For additional information on the USSSA World Series, please visitwww.SalisburyChampionships.org. In accordance with USSSA National guidelines, schedules are not released until the start of the tournament. As they become available, information will be posted to the web site.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
8 comments:
This is a great event for this area.
Anonymous said...
This is a great event for this area.
July 24, 2013 at 8:12 AM
You are not the one that has to pick up the trash from these inconsiderate slobs.
Wow 9:52, really have a chip on your shoulder about something don't you? Fact is this is one of the most well behaved and considerate group of people you could meet. The trash I believe is picked up by the City and County Public Works Department. This is a good thing for the local economy and for the people.
Anonymous said...
Wow 9:52, really have a chip on your shoulder about something don't you? Fact is this is one of the most well behaved and considerate group of people you could meet. The trash I believe is picked up by the City and County Public Works Department. This is a good thing for the local economy and for the people.
July 24, 2013 at 10:48 AM
If the trash was picked up by the City and County Public Works Department then what is the person picking up the trash for?
I visited these fields and found the trash atrocious. These people obviously think people have to pick up after them.
This is an event brought here by Wicomico County Recs and Parks. It is their responsibility to make sure these fields are clean so the volunteers from the little leagues don't have to clean up for them.
I work at a resturant next to a hotel and I love it. This is normally our slow time of year. The added business of large parties from out of town helps a lot. Many of the tourists are from areas of higher income. Therefor they ring up higher than average checks and tip well. We keep this event on our calander every year so we are properly staffed for it
These are all day events, some of the field locations have trash pickup only once per day. On the whole these teams and parents are great and try to keep trash in recepticles and near them if they are overflowing. Again, these are all day events, games begin each day at 8 am and last games go until sometimes 8 pm. This is a very good thing for this area, let's not screw it up with the petty isolationist bitching and moaning.
Anonymous said...
These are all day events, some of the field locations have trash pickup only once per day. On the whole these teams and parents are great and try to keep trash in recepticles and near them if they are overflowing. Again, these are all day events, games begin each day at 8 am and last games go until sometimes 8 pm. This is a very good thing for this area, let's not screw it up with the petty isolationist bitching and moaning.
July 24, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Ok Gary Mackes. Since you want them here you need to make sure that YOUR people pick up the trash.
Starting tomorrow I will be going to the fields and take pictures or the trash left behind by these people. I will then immediately send all these pictures to the County Council. Hopefully they will put a stop to the lazy county employees.
Wow 2:31, are you really that miserable in your life? Take pictures? It's just that kind of screwed up thinking and actions that chase these events away. The local economy needs these events; if we lose them they will not come back.
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