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Dec 29, 2010

Zippity Zamboni !!

Breathes there a fan with a soul so dead that never once sat in a rink and thought:

WOULDN'T IT BE A GAS TO DRIVE THE ZAMBONI?

Of course you have.  Admit it.  Everyone wants to take the icer for a spin, maybe slip-sliding around the corners and steaming designs into the surface.

Well, thanks to the good folks at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel, you can learn to do just that.

Yes, one of the premier indoor skating facilities in the state is offering Driver's Ed for aspiring Zamboni-ites.  And the next class is registering now.

Ice House has a fleet of  four to keep their rinks in top shape.  But don't think this means bumper cars or drag racing on ice.  These vehicles cost about $80,000 each, so you won't be joy riding in them.

For the last several years, Ice House has hosted Zamboni driving schools around the holidays. Actually,  Zamboni classes are given frequently, but this time of year makes a lesson a particularly nice gift for those who have everything.

In addition to learning how to operate the Zamboni, students will also be given a history lesson about the innovative machines and the family who built them by hand shortly after World War II using the frames of old army jeeps.

The engineering principles of the ice cutter and melter will be explained, and after you know all the mechanics of the machine, you'll be allowed to take it for a spin.

Proceeds from the class tuition will go towards maintaining the stable of Zambonis and also supporting the Ice House's youth hockey program and elite travel squad.

Opened in 1996, the Gardens Ice House is home to the Potomac Curling Club and the University of Maryland hockey team, among others.   They have three sheets of ice - two NHL size, and one Olympic rink. During the summer, two of the rinks are used for roller hockey while the third is maintained for ice skating.

Ice House has spectator seating, a cafe, and pro shop.  You can rent skates (figure and hockey), and take lessons.  There are also party rooms, a fitness center, and meeting or conference facilities.
All that, and Zamboni Ed, too.

Dec 27, 2010

On Time, On Budget

For the people I work with, it's more than a mantra.  On time, on budget is a promise made and kept.

While I've always admired the work ethic that comes that commitment, this is the first time I've lived with it.  In this case, it means heavy construction projects with a tight schedule.  Under my window.  It's an eye opener rather than earache, though.  It shows just how skillfully our professionals plan things.

Because Camden Yards operates 365 days a year as an office complex, visitor attraction, and transit center as well as sports complex, our engineers coordinate work around those functions.  Their juggling is worthy of Cirque du Soleil.

Right now, it is well below freezing with high winds making the chill factor much lower.  But work began on the Pit Lane improvements long before I arrived this morning.  Like the widening of Lee Street by the City, construction had to begin as soon as the Orioles season ended, and completed before their return in the spring.

That's a pretty narrow window, and doesn't leave much wiggle room for bad weather or anything else.  And yes, there is some discomfort for Ravens home games, but that will be more than compensated by improved traffic flow and some additional parking when the project is complete.

Pit Row is not the only project that has battled the elements.  Here is a picture of the work on the seating bowl that continued during the February blizzards earlier this year.  Again, the new seats and drainage trenches had to be installed by Opening Day.  Neither rain, nor snow, nor other meterological surprises could stop the work.

And it didn't.  Additional work on the seating bowl has continued this off season, and we can guarantee you, it will be finished no matter what Mother Nature throws at us this year.  (Hard to top last year, Mom.)

So while we all look forward to the wonderful experiences we have at Camden Yards, (and will have at the Baltimore Grand Prix over Labor Day,)  take a moment to appreciate what goes into keeping our facilities the best of the best. 

Even if it occasionally sounds like a woodpecker on steroids outside your window.

Dec 23, 2010

Vrooming up Russell Street

Terry and I were ambling towards our favorite haunt beyond center field late yesterday afternoon.  The streets were nearly deserted as we crossed Russell Street, as most folks already checked out for the holidays.

Out of nowhere a car careened around the corner, creating a bit of excitement.

"I think the Grand Prix is underway," Terry quipped as we dashed across the median.  Terry had good reason to think so, based on the good news he'd just heard.

Hard to believe, but in a few short months that median will be covered with grandstands.  And, as Terry shared with me when we were safely seated in our watering hole, those grandstands are well on their way to being filled.  Phones were ringing even as we sipped our holiday cheer.

Here's what he heard from organizers:  after two initial online offerings, more than 20,000 tickets for the Labor Day "Festival of Speed" have been sold.  Spectators will be coming from all over the country. To date, tickets have been sold in thirty three states and Puerto Rico.  These include every Eastern Seaboard state from Maine to Florida, and across the country to include most of the Midwest and the entire West Coast.

While the IZOD and BRD folks are gratified, you know the hotels and restaurants must be doing handsprings.  This kind of response indicates a diverse, affluent visitor that will be encamped locally for several days.  Much as we love the home crowds, it's those out of staters who really get the economy jumping.

This is the kind of news that energizes everyone.  Gives us one more good thing to look forward to in the New Year.  Even those jackhammers under my window are beginning to sound like jingle bells.  Or cash registers.

Don't get left in the dust.  Get your tickets now.

Dec 21, 2010

Diving Well

If you're like me, you hear those two words as a gerund and adverb.  A description that might be used for the athlete in this picture. 

But not when Terry is describing why Maryland, and specifically Montgomery County, is positioned to attract many more scholastic and amateur aquatic competitions.  For in Terry-speak, diving well is a present participle and noun.  It is a specialized facility within a natatorium, and Maryland has some of the best.

When Terry called from his recent treasure hunt, he gave me a quick tutorial on an amazing public venue in Montgomery County I knew nothing about.  The Germantown Indoor Swim Center, located near the SoccerPlex in Boyds, is operated by the Montgomery County Department of Recreation.  Completed in 2006, it has already hosted a national diving competition and several regional swimming meets.  But the state-of-the-art facility was designed to accommodate recreational swimmers, senior citizens, children and families as well as swim teams.

Approximately 60,000 square feet in size, the swim center has a competition pool, a recreation pool, and a leisure pool, as well as two separate hydrotherapy pools.

It also has two serpentine water slides, suspended 35 feet above the interactive leisure swimming area.

What caught Terry's attention was the diving well.  This consists of two 1-meter springboards, two 3-meter springboards, and the platforms of 5, 7, and 10 meters.

It also has things like a bubbler system, a trampoline, and a dryland training area.

In short, the Germantown facility is diving nirvana.

 As you can see from these pictures, the height and the lighting in this swim park make it spacious as well as accommodating for crowds.  It is divided into sections that allow multiple uses to take place at the same time.

Naturally, Terry was touting all these attractions to the tournament groups who plan their national competitions years in advance. 

Despite its relatively recent appearance on the swim scene, this gem of a facility is pretty well known in water world.  (which means people who know that a diving well is a place and not a score.)

Anyway, I need to express my envy of the good folks in Montgomery County who have access to this beautiful facility as a quality of life amenity.  There was certainly nothing like this when I was lifeguarding in Laurel.

Dec 20, 2010

No Reindeer Required

You never know what you're going to see on Ravens Walk.  As the band filed through the festive crowd yesterday, one of the Saints fans said it reminded him of Mardi Gras.

But this little trinket, wrapped nicely with a Christmas bow, didn't look like anything you'd see on Bourbon Street.  More than a few onlookers said they'd like to find it under their tree.

While that probably isn't possible, there is always the next best thing --- tickets to the 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix.  Which is just what this vendor was encouraging fans to do.

After so many weeks of behind the scenes activity, the Labor Day event is all over the airwaves now that tickets are available.  Folks streaming across the construction on Lee Street could see how the work is incorporated into the race by studying the exhibit on display with the car.

With these visuals, the layout is easier to understand.  Instead of a mere concept, the event is a reality -- and coming soon to Camden Yards.

It was only a few months ago we were gathered at the Convention Center for the official announcement of the race.  Now, you can hear the buzz all over town (not to mention the din under Bin 400)  If you haven't reserved your tickets, now is a good time to do so.   The good seats are going fast.

As our friends on Ravens Walk reminded us -- tickets make a great gift idea.  And they're easy to wrap (or stuff in a stocking.)

Dec 16, 2010

Peeling out of the Gate

Despite the white-out from the cold, snowy weather, tickets went on sale as promised for the Labor Day Weekend running of the Baltimore Grand Prix.

As we mentioned in an earlier post, limited sales to Checked Flag Club members raised over $600,000 in just two hours.  That's a pretty good barometer of the interest level in this event.

The gates opened at 10:00 AM (EST) this morning and there is already a rush.

The inaugural event will include two headline races from the IZOD IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series, as well as full three-day festival of music, food and fun.  Organizers like to refer to the weekent as a "Festival of Speed" for the many activities it will feature.

Of course, the weather outside makes holiday shopping more challenging, so the timing couldn't be better.  With only eight more days before Christmas, buying a set of Grand Prix tickets as a stuffing stuffer has great appeal.

Fans have a variety of ticket options to choose from. Both grounds admission and reserved grandstand tickets are available, as single-day or three-day tickets. Reserved grandstand tickets will offer fans a guaranteed seat for the races on Saturday and Sunday as well as the best view of the action at key locations around the track.

Single day reserved tickets start at $65, while 3-day reserved tickets range from $130 - $160.

(No, I'm not renting space in Bin 400, although it has to be one of the best views in the city.)

Grounds admission tickets start at $20 for Friday, representing the most economical way for fans to enjoy the event and take in the sights and sounds of the Grand Prix. On Friday, most grandstands will be general admission seating, allowing grounds admission ticket holders the opportunity to see racecars traveling at more than 180 m.p.h. during practice and qualifying on the streets of Baltimore for only $20.

After racing is over on Friday, fans will be treated to an evening headliner free to all ticket holders. Details regarding the concert will be announced at a later date.

Saturday will feature qualifying for the IZOD IndyCar Series, and the American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patron will take center stage for an afternoon race. On Sunday, the Grand Prix will culminate with the IZOD IndyCar Series race.

A variety of activities will take place in three entertainment zones throughout the infield area: the Family Fun Zone, the Action Sports Zone (that's in Camden Yards), and the Party Zone.

Fans will be treated to live local music throughout the weekend, major concerts at night, excellent food, beer gardens, interactive exhibits, and entertainment ranging from professional beach volley ball to extreme sports demonstrations.

Grandstands for the event will be located throughout the planned two-mile racetrack around Baltimore's Inner Harbor and will be strategically placed to give fans views of the fastest and most action-packed areas of the track. Most grandstands are available for either three-day or single-day tickets, but the best grandstands are available only to three-day ticket buyers.

The Grand Prix will be offering paddock passes as single day and three-day passes. These tickets do not provide admittance into the Grand Prix, but allow fans special access to one of the most exciting areas at the Grand Prix: the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights paddocks.  These will be located in the Baltimore Convention Center, which lies within the course.   Paddock passes will give fans a chance to see the race teams and drivers at work up close in an air-conditioned environment.

A variety of corporate hospitality options are also available, including Turn 1 Suites, Pit Lane Suites, Terrace Chalets, Harborside Village, and Trackside Patios. Fans wanting to purchase individual tickets with a little more luxury will be interested in the Grand Prix Club and also the VIP Balcony Club, which gives fans air-conditioned comfort and an excellent view from a balcony at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Tickets are available online or by phone at 877-4-FLY-TIX.

If you're tired of snow already, order those tickets.  It's a pretty safe bet you won't be dealing with the white stuff over Labor Day.

Dec 13, 2010

The Match Game

Terry sends his greetings from the US Sports Congress, where his dance card is already filled.  He has some auspicious meetings, and wants us to know the hot prospects he will be courting while at the conference.  They run the gamut, including US Olympic qualifiers, collegiate governing bodies, AAU events, sports tours, and even media representatives.

Here they are, in no particular order:

US Olympic Committee, Extreme Volleyball, USA Track & Field, Swimming, Diving, Synchro, Wrestling, Judo, Weightlifting, Fencing and Badminton;

ESPN Rise, Youth Basketball and Golf.  Speed Stacking and Disc Golf.  And the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Terry is going to be very, very busy for the next few days, but he'll come home with some important leads for members of TEAM Maryland throughout the state.

Dec 11, 2010

Making a List, Checking it Twice

I saw Terry before he took off on another treasure hunt. The US Sports Congress is the motherload of amateur sports conferences where rights-holders, governing bodies, corporate sponsors and event planners are assembled and matched for one-to-one face time.


To me, it sounds like a speed dating exercise or singles weekend at Grossinger's, but it works very well for bonhomme Terry, master networker. Last year he came home with a ton of business cards, new best friends, and the lead that blossomed to fruition when Maryland landed the 2013 Mid Atlantic Youth Soccer Tournament.

I asked Terry who he had in his cross hairs this year and he confessed he hadn't compiled his wish list yet with so many other things going on here in Maryland. Given the season, I could just imagine him thumbing through the catalogue late at night, eyeing the hottest prospects, most sparkling gems, and figuring which of TEAM Maryland's good little boys and girls would like to find that in their stocking this year.

So while he'd rather be home with his family during the holiday season, Terry will instead be playing Santa in Sanibel, schmoozing with elves, shopping for the best deals and selling Maryland to eager buyers.

Roaring to the Ticket Window

The flag had barely dropped when fingers started flying over keyboards around the country. Tickets for the 2011 Inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix went on limited sale December 8th . Early supporters of the race, known as the Checkered Flag Club, had first crack at all selections. They were quick to take advantage.


Race promoters were astonished at the number and levels of tickets sold. In all, more than $600,000 of tickets were snapped up in two hours during this abbreviated offering. It was a rousing vote of confidence for the widespread appeal of this event.

Tickets to the general public will open December 16th. Given the early rush at the box office, it might be advisable to tuck a few of these away in someone's Christmas stocking. By Labor Day, it might be standing room only.

(Observation opportunities in Bin 400 are also limited, as I've been reminding my sons for months.)

You'll find a dynamic layout of the course, festival, and all the amenities around it by clicking this interactive feature on the Baltimore Grand Prix website. This shows you were the grandstands, sponsoring hotels, paddocks, and action zones will all be located (with no sign of the jackhammers, backhoes, or hardhats currently on the site.)

From there you can access the ticket sale feature.

Start counting down the days until you can buy YOUR tickets. Then you can go out and cheer for the Pratt Street Pavers with renewed gusto. Maybe even wave a flag or two. We're all doing our part to make this event a fabulous success.

Dec 7, 2010

Happy Birthday, Wisp !!!

Lest you think Mother Nature deposited all her white stuff in Buffalo, fear not.  Maryland's only ski resort (and four season recreational facility) was gifted with over a foot in the past several days -- just in time to start their season and celebrate their 55 years in business.

Wisp Resort, overlooking Deep Creek Lake in McHenry, had its humble beginnings in the winter of 1955-56.  That year, there was one slope and a tow rope.  Since then, Wisp has grown to 132 acres of ski terrain.  And in addition to the best state of the art snowmaking equipment, it averages 100 inches of the free stuff a year.

The birthday celebration on December 12 -13 features steeply discounted lift tickets, half-price rental equipment and group lessons, and family entertainment.  Plus some celebratory birthday cake from the renown Charm City bakery.

If you haven't been to Wisp in a while, this is a good time to check out all the new features. Since 2001, Wisp has added more than $40 million in improvements, renovations and additions.  That includes ten new trails on the North Camp in 2005, the Mountain Coaster in '07 and the Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour and Hale Irwin Lodestone Golf Club this year.

Future plans include more ski and snowboard amenities, a mountaintop village, retail shops, and restaurants.

Wisp (and Western Maryland) are the year-round playground of our state.  Be sure to check with Mountainside Maryland to see what else is going on in this exciting region.

Dec 6, 2010

Win-Win-Win

Hard to believe, but nine months from now the inaugural 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix will highlight a "Festival of Speed" over Labor Day weekend.  This includes Indy Car and American Le Mans races through the streets of downtown, along with numerous family-oriented activities and attractions in the race village within the course.

Like most highly anticipated births, this blessed event comes with some pains early in its gestation.  Instead of morning sickness and heartburn, we're dealing with road construction during rush hour and utility replacement in pedestrian thoroughfares.

Here in Camden Yards, the epicenter of race activities, this translates into closed parking lots, redirected traffic, disappearing curbs, and a lot of jackhammers.  

But the momentary discomfort is forgotten when weighed against all the improvements this project brings to our facility.  The result will be a win-win-win for many years to come.

First, the aesthetics.  Camden Yards has changed greatly over the past twenty years, evolving from a gritty industrial park into a vibrant entertainment complex, visitor attraction and transit center.  However, the east side of the Warehouse -- corridor to the Inner Harbor -- has experienced very little since it was surrounded by a sea of asphalt in 1992.  Since then, the expanded Convention Center borders us on the northeast, the Hilton Baltimore looms over our north, Camden Station has developed into a museum site and popular catering facility, and the light rail/MARC station has more than doubled in use. Thousands of visitors enter Baltimore via this route every week.

What was once the back door to the ballpark is now a major gateway, and it could use more than a little makeover.  Cosmetic surgery is neither painless nor cheap (take it from one who knows) but the cost of this facelift is more than offset by its contributions to our complex.


From this course diagram you can the focus on the east approach to the Warehouse, where cars will enter after zooming down Conway.  After crossing Howard they will either turn left and continue to the end of the Warehouse, or turn right to pull into Pit Row alongside it.

This is a rendering of how the course alongside the Warehouse will look, with Pit Row being the lane closest to the building.  The barriers are temporary structures that will be removed after the race so it can be reclaimed for parking duties.  One of the benefits of this reconstruction is having the entire stretch resurfaced.  It will also be reconfigured to give an extra lane for bus parking during major events.

But the real aesthetic and environmental improvements to our campus can be seen in this rendering, which gives a panoramic view of the entrance.  Notice the pedestrian plaza, with its planters, trees, benches and lighting.  This is complemented by the planters edging the Warehouse and inside the two new traffic circles that will facilite vehicular flow.  This represents a major improvement to the sports complex and also the MARC and light rail stations. 

The large concrete recepticle being unloaded by the crane in the top picture will hold 7,000 gallons of water, which will be captured from stormwater runoff and reused to irrigate the new planters.

So out of our involvement with the Baltimore Grand Prix, we get a new look for our east entrance, hundreds of trees, shrubs and flowers, a resurfaced parking facility, and a highly profitable event showcasing our facility to visitors and viewers all over the world.

Win-Win-Win.  For this, we can listen to a chorus of jackhammers a little longer.

Dec 4, 2010

A Winner's Week

We won't deny our disappointment over losing a chance to host a future (albeit way, way in the future) World Cup tournament. Not even Domino could sugarcoat that pill, so let's focus on all the positives gained from a valuable experience, and celebrate the more immediate goals scored by the Office of Sports Marketing this week.

First of all, the gathering at Slainte's. Many thanks to our new friends in the sacristy of soccer (where early morning worshippers were already taking communion when we arrived.)  This veritable cathedral for kickers was the perfect setting in decor and spirit.

Slainte's very generously opened their establishment at 5:00 AM to accommodate the daybreak news teams. If you didn't catch the interview with Kevin Healey (godfather of all that is soccer in Baltimore) it was more energizing than espresso.

When the delegation from MSA posted at 9:00AM, the place was already overrun with cameras, reporters, fans, and soccer operatives from all over the state. The assemblage, which also included our teammates, the Ravens, was a tribute to the outreach, networking, and partnerships that coalesced into a remarkable show of support over the 18 months of this process.

While the announcement was delayed, Terry had the opportunity to share his thoughts about the recognition Maryland had already gained with the press and those who helped on the bid. This continued even after the disappointing news the US would not be hosting, because at that point the conversation changed to what soccer events ARE coming to Baltimore.

Among them -- another international match at M&T this summer, was greeted with great enthusiasm by the Slainte regulars, who attend en masse after evening vespers.

While Terry could probably have talked all day about soccer's bright future in Maryland (Marie Lankford of Maryland Youth Soccer and Matthew Libber of Elite Tournaments represented the growing popularity of the sport) he and his track team had to hit the cinders for Virginia Beach. There, the USA Track and Field Federation would be hearing presentations to host future tournaments.

We can only imagine how exhausting this road trip was after all the drama, but Team Terry must have exploded with a burst of energy just before the finish line.

We heard Friday morning that the Prince George's County's Sports Complex had been awarded the 2013 USAFT Masters Indoor tournament. And by close of business, he emailed that Morgan State won the 2012 outdoor USATF Junior Olympics.

Needless to say, these Team Maryland partners are elated with revenue producing events that enhance the visibility of their facilities. Here are a few particulars about these tournaments and what they produce:

The USAFT Masters draws approximately 1,500 athletes who are 50+ years of age for an indoor track meet that lasts over three days.  It is projected to generate revenues of $800,000 to $1.2 million over the long weekend.

The USATF Junior Olympics youth tournament brings 7,000 athletes from all over the country, along with friends and family, for five days.  Its economic impact is estimated at $3.5 million.

So, as demanding as this week was for Team Terry and their many partners and associates around the state, it was rewarding for the achievements and recognition it brought to the office of Sports Marketing.

Now if only the Ravens can come through for us tomorrow night . . .

Nov 30, 2010

The D-Day Tutorial

We realize not every soccer-phile can slouch over their computer for hours on end, hitting "refresh" to get the latest odds and assorted intrigues surrounding World Cup Decision Day.

So just to bring you up to date on past history and present scuttlebut, Fox Soccer Channel has thoughtfully compiled a series of specials on the decision-making process.  By tuning in, you can spout platitudes with the best of the insiders when the big announcement is made. 

With Decision Day 2022: A Fox Soccer Report Special, the network will bring viewers the historic announcement live from FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, along with interviews with leading figures in U.S. Soccer and fan reaction from viewing parties around the country.   This program will air live beginning at 9:30 AM (ET.) Curt Menefee, host of Fox Sports's 2010 UEFA Champions League Final coverage and Fox NFL Sunday, will host the special.

On December 1 at 9:00 PM (ET) a 30-minute preview show, D-Day Minus 1, will examine all of the nations in contention to host the tournaments in 2018 and 2022.    This overview will be followed at 9:30 PM by Team USA: Journey to Glory.

So you have plenty of time to get briefed on the past present and future of Sam's Army by tuning in the Fox Soccer Channel.  If you don't have that on your cable plan, you can always stop in early to Slainte's.  Soccer is always the topic of conversation, and they open at 7:00 AM.

Team Terry looks forward to having you join us for this momentous occasion.

Nov 29, 2010

A New View from Bin 400

I was just asked about the horrible racket in the background during a telephone conversation.  Horrible racket, indeed!!  What he was hearing was the sweet sound of jobs and a major event in the making.

Behold the view from Bin 400, Warehouse B.  That's the future Pit Row of the 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix under construction.  (What looks like rubble in the lower right corner is actually granite window sill.  MOSHA doesn't allow me to lean any farther.)

The large rectangular pit in the foreground will be the site of an underground reservoir that will capture stormwater runoff and allow it to be reused for irrigation.  That's supposed to arrive next week.

The oval area at the top, which is where the race cars will enter from Conway Street, will be levelled and transformed into a pedestrian mall with portable trees, planters, streetlights and benches that can be moved to accommodate the race.

In less than a year, the east side of the Warehouse will be one of the most exciting stretchs of the internationally covered race, as cars zip down Conway Street and spin into the pit or veer left to take the corner at Lee Street.  As for now, a little jackhammering just helps us keep alert.

Nov 28, 2010

Swivel and Swing at the Convention Center

Probably the only table you had to concern yourself with this weekend was the one surrounded by relatives and starring a turkey.  So just imagine a 150,000 square foot room  with 144 tables, and a thousand very active, highly competative, people scrambling over top of each other, reaching for something other than cranberry sauce.

Wecome to the annual United States Table Tennis North American Teams Championship in Baltimore.

For three days, thousands of table tennis competitors with their friends and family descend on the Inner Harbor for this event that gives each team numerous opportunities to improve by playing teams of all skill levels.  First held in 1998, this tournament attracts athletes from all over the world and continues to increase attendance every year.

[A few clarifications for those of you who may have some questions at this point.  First, Table Tennis is an Olympic Team Sport.  Second, it isn't nice to call it Ping Pong, no matter what you remember from Forrest Gump, Balls of Fire, or the Nixon Administration.  The sport (not game) is Table Tennis.  It uses racquets, not paddles.]

The Baltimore tournament is considered the largest in the world, with participants playing the most matches over the three days of competition. On Friday, teams play between 2 and 4 ties against other teams (a  "tie" is the best of 9 matches; each "match" is the best of 5 games) in preliminary play.

These results are used to assign Saturday and Sunday matches according to ability. Every team will play at least 40 and as many as 108 matches.

(Does your wrist hurt yet?) 

On Sunday, the top ("Elite Division") players will compete for cash prizes.  These include Olympians, National Champions, and World Champions.  This is the most popular of the spectator events, as all other participants get to rest their rotators and enjoy.

As this annual tournament continues to grow in popularity hope to keep welcoming them back to Maryland for years to come.  It's a great way to burn off those holiday calories.

Partnering for Pedals

It was one of the first things that caught my eye in Hyde Park, London (along with the cranks on the soapbox and the lovely landscaping.)  Under the shade of an aged sycamore there was a horizonal kiosk.  At first glance, it looks like an industrial strength bike rack, but you'll notice that all the bikes look alike.

That's because they're rental models, available for hire by the hour or day. Just a convenient swipe of your credit card, then pedal off.

The vending machine in Hyde Park was tourist-oriented, with a map showing various routes around the park and estimated times of each.  However, it also explained the bikes could be taken out of the park and returned at other kiosks located around the City, like the one pictured in a popular commercial district.

The enterprise was sponsored by Barclay, the banking giant also attached to the Premiere League.  Barclay gets around -- literally.

Thinking this was the coolest, neatest idea yet (and seeing the practical application it could have in our parks and promenades) I contacted Nate Evans, Baltimore City's bicycle guru, and asked if he knew about it.

Of course, Nate is at least two years ahead of me in all things bicycle.  He gave me the good news that this has been under consideration for some time and, by a remarkable coincidence, a similar program was now out for bid with hopes it can be operational next year.

In fact, Nate informed me, it has already proved very popular in Washington, where the program is sponsored by Clear Channel.

The concept is called "Bike Share" and it is focused as much on commuters and part time recreational riders as it is on tourists.  It is not unlike the ZipCar principle of "wheels when you need them."

As Baltimore (and much of Maryland for that matter) becomes more cycle-centric, with legislation protecting the rights of riders, new off-road trails in design and under construction, and more facilities to accommodate patrons (including those at Camden Yards,) now might be a good time to take another look at the Bicycle Map of Baltimore that Nate keeps updated.  You'll note how many new segments have either come online or provide links to existing trails and public transportation stops.

Among the staunchest bicycle advocates statewide are college towns, where cycling is frequently the transportation of choice to and around campus.  College Park has a very active advocacy group.  They connect to Paint Branch, Greenbelt and hope to reach the Anacostia Trail into DC via Bladensburg.  Prince George's County has done a wonderful job with their connectors.  Thanks to a recent $110,000 state grant from Community Legacy Program,  Hyattsville will be creating safe passages to their two Metro Stations.

This is a good time to evaluate the progress Maryland continues to make with cycling routes, because it is a huge deal to Europeans.  Should the USA be fortunate enough to win the 2022 World Cup, the focus turns to which of the 18 sites has the best public and alternative transportation resources, which ones are the most environmentally sensitive.  (No kidding -- these factors are among the foremost considerations.  You thought it was only the June temperature?)

I'm off to Camden Yards now, to take pictures of the gathering throngs for the Annual Report.  Hopefully, this time I'll catch some of those cycling fans on their way to the game.  They move much faster than the buses, cars, pedestrians and my shutter finger.  Which is one more good reason (other than free secure storage) why it's worth pedaling to the park.

Nov 24, 2010

Team Terry on Track

It was inevitable that Terry’s efforts to reel in more of the lucrative youth tournament market would take him around the track. Particularly when the facilities and access in Maryland are so attractive for regional competitions. It was only a matter of time before a major governing body like USA Track and Field came calling, and that’s where Terry and Tweety were this week when soccermania started to swirl.

The site visit took them first to Landover, where the Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex is located on 80 acres next to FedEx field. As the name indicates, the facility is all about showcasing scholastic athletes in a four star setting.

While it includes a natatorium and Bermuda grass football/lacrosse fields, the arena and indoor/outdoor competition tracks make it the Holy Grail of youthful harriers. The Prince George’s facility, constructed with public and private sector resources, is managed by the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. It is being considered for the 2013 Masters Indoor Championship.

The arena, with its field house, 200 meter Mondo track, fitness room, gymnastics facility, and aquatics center - all linked by an atrium and overhead observation areas -- is a knockout in the “wow” factor. Add all the onsite parking and nearby interstate access and you can see why Terry was so eager to show it off.

Morgan State is in the hunt to land the 2012 Junior Olympic Championships. The rambling urban campus with its stadium and 400 meter Mondo track (that’s the same surface used in the Olympics) traditionally hosts the Maryland State Track and Field championships in the spring.

As luck would have it, Team Terry has leave for Virginia Beach for the final presentation of the bids to USATF right after we learn about the 2022 World Cup. The good news is the governing body will make their decisions about both events on December 3rd. So hopefully we’ll be celebrating a lot the first week of December.

In any case, we know the visitors were greatly impressed with what Maryland has to offer. It won’t be the last time we are considered for major track and field tournaments.

Drumming Up Green on the Fields


There was a big announcement in Annapolis last week when the Conference and Visitors Bureau landed the biggest convention in their history.

Over Labor Day, 2012, the Drum Corps Associates will hold their World Championships at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. That translates into about 13,000 drum beating, horn tooting and flag waving marchers, plus family and friends who travel for the annual competitions and enjoy the long weekend in shops, restaurants and hotels. An estimated $10 million in revenue will be generated.

Snaring this gig involved months of negotiations and collaborations with the Naval Academy, city and county for facilities. So what does it have to do with sports, you ask? Plenty, Terry reminds us.

First of all, most D&B Corps are part of the pageantry that accompanies sports events – from the parades to the halftime performances and all the pep rallies in between. Secondly, they require the same infrastructure for their competitions – stadiums or arenas to perform in, fields to practice on, space for equipment, lots to park on, etc.

And marching bands are every bit as competitive as sports teams. They drill constantly, learn new routines regularly, and incorporate creativity into their play action. They also travel a lot – for parades, games, exhibitions, and competitions like this.

My son was in the marching band at Annapolis High, and he played the euphonium as only a mother could love. (Practice in the van on the way to rehearsals was an unforgettable auditory experience. I still cringe at the thought.) But I gained a great appreciation for the role the band played in his development and can understand why musicians find it a lifetime avocation. Many of these drum corps regulars probably started the same way.

(Brandon later abandoned the brass for guitar, which is easier to transport and more popular on the club circuit. Other than Governor O’Malley, I don’t know anyone with a band featuring a euphonium.)

So while this major competition doesn’t register as a huge spectator event, it will attract a boatload of visitors. It also provides one more example of how sports facilities intersect with tourism to benefit the local economy.

The network that supports this convention is now in place to attract many others. They're already trying to line up future championships.  Congratulations, Connie and Anne Arundel County.

Nov 22, 2010

Join our December 2nd Soccer Celebration!!

Has it been almost a year since Maryland landed TWO venues in the US World Cup Bid?  Amazing how the months have flown since Team Terry and Friends gathered to celebrate that selection in January.

Since then, we've been involved in a successful World Cup party at the Inner Harbor, hosted another wildly popular international match at M&T Bank Stadium, and landed a major regional youth soccer tournament for the state.

Now, as we prepare to close out 2010 and revisit the major achievements of the Office of Sports Marketing, the focus is back where the year began -- on the quest to bring the biggest, most viewed, sports event in the world to the USA and our backyard. 

On December 2nd, FIFA will deliver their verdict from Zurich and we want you to be with us.  Because no matter what the decision, what we achieved as we worked our way through this process together merits great celebration.

Please join Team Terry and the regulars at Slainte Pub in Fells Point at 9:30 AM, Thursday December 2nd, to watch the announcement and meet the soccer community who comprise the fiber of our bid. 

Even before the announcement, Terry wants to thank and congratulate everyone for what we achieved -- and stand to gain in years to come.  The infrastructure created during the bid process will manifest itself in countless ways as we establish Maryland as a place to host sporting events of all kinds.  Our efforts demonstrated cooperation across all jurisdictional lines and unprecedented participation on every level of organized soccer. 

That's Slainte's Irish Pub at 1700 Thames Street in Fells Point at 9:30 AM.  The Pub opens at 7:00 AM for breakfast, so you can come early if you want to speculate with the locals.  Remember, this is where Soccer is Religion, so there will be plenty of daily communicants genuflecting.

Wear your team shirt, wave your scarf and show your support.  We want them to hear us in Zurich.

Our Friends, the Feds

Hooray for the National Park Service !!  They are moving ahead on the long-anticipated, eagerly awaited, breathtakingly scenic extension to the 22 mile Western Maryland Rail Trail.

If this doesn't ring a bell with regular readers, perhaps you will recognize this stretch by its most famous battleground -- the 100+ year old Indigo Tunnel, where trail enthusiasts faced off against the Indiana bats and were soundly defeated by the slumbering rodents.

Fortunately, the Indigo Tunnel is only a part of this 15 mile abandoned shortcut through the Potomac's Paw Paw Bends .  This route cuts through the mountains and over convoluted river passage with six trestles and three tunnels.  As you can see from this rickety specimen, the view is simply gorgeous.  Trail enthusiasts (and tourism officials) have been hoping for years to have this rail trail funded.  And now the process is officially underway.

The National Park Service sees this project as an extension of their mission with the C&O Canal towpath, which intersects part of the trail (including the detour around Indigo to accommodate the endangered bats) by providing additional scenic views, recreational experiences, and historic opportunities in the Potomac River Valley.  It will also provide connectivity for a greater regional trail network as the trail passes from West Virginia to Maryland and back.

From a safety standpoint, it will resolve issues related to the abandoned corridor including bridges not being maintained and hazardous materials from former railway uses.

Public meetings to discuss the proposal were held last week in Little Orleans and Paw Paw, and the Park Service will be taking comments through December 23rd.

It is still a long (expensive) process before this extension comes to fruition.  But the federal action is the first big step taken since the bats won the battle of the Indigo Tunnel nearly a year ago.  In the end, the modified trail will offer the best of all worlds with its sensitivity to history, heritage, and the environment.

Western Maryland enjoys its reputation as a great outdoors playground.  The rail trails are only part of what makes it a great region to visit.  There is still plenty of beautiful weather left to experience it this season, so plan to check it out.

Nov 21, 2010

Protect This Kingdom!!!

Less than an hour before game time, the Ravens I am most concerned about are the ones guarding Joe Flacco.  But it does bring to mind these fellows, who are responsible for protecting the British empire. 

You can see they take their duties seriously as they patrol the ramparts at the Tower of London.  Not like anyone is going to pinch the Crown Jewels on their watch.

Even though the Broncos and 49ers were on most everyone's mind the weekend I was in London, my "must see" was not the game at Wembley, but the guardians of the Tower.  They were making their appointed rounds, just as they have been for hundred of years, when I arrived on a Saturday morning.

The ravens, you see, have special status at this fortress, which is one of the most popular attractions in London.  They enjoy this privilege/responsibility by royal decree.  They also seem to delight in being a favorite of the tourists and friendly antagonists to the Yoemen of the Guard (whom they torment with their bickering.)

Their mandated presence dates back to the Restoration, when the monarchy was brought back to England after their brief flirtation with a republic.  King Charles II returned from exile in France and took stock of his realm.  One complaint he heard was from the Royal Observatory, which was housed in the centuries-old Tower.  It seemed the telescopes were plagued by the ravens who populated the tower and relieved themselves on the equipment.  Wanting to be rid of this nuisance, the astronomers appealed to the king to give the ravens the ax (a fate suffered by Charles' late father.)  The king was inclined to agree, until reminded of an ancient prophecy that the Tower of London would fall and the kingdom destroyed if the ravens ever left.

Whether this was a great PR ploy by the birds' advocates or Charles II didn't want to take any chances given his family history, it worked -- the ravens were commanded to stay.  And just to make sure they didn't have a change of heart or try to negotiate better terms, their wings were clipped to keep them inside the moat.  The astronomers, on the other hand, were shipped off to Greenwich where they remain to this day.

Even during the Blitz in World War II, when they were battled and shell-shocked, the ravens maintained a presence in the tower -- giving credence to the belief they would protect the kingdom.

So hopefully our O line will show the same tenacity today.  (At least their wings aren't clipped. )  When they return to Baltimore, they should have plenty to crow about.

GO RAVENS !!!

The Last Fling of Fall

Thanks to Arlene, my kayaking buddy, I didn't have to endure a season without visiting Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.  Saturday was Senior Day, traditionally held on the last home game.  Emotions are high, pagaentry and ceremony most festive, and the last tailgate with friends always sentimental.

While November weather in Annapolis ranges from brisk to brutal, yesterday was a reprieve.  With the skies sunny and bright, Arlene and I hoofed from downtown to the stadium, which gave us the opportunity to admire all the improvements that have taken place to the facility since the two of us worked for the City a few years ago when the stadium renovations were taking place.

While the environmental enhancements and extensive landscaping have made a huge difference in the appearance of the stadium and its grounds, one of the most popular (and revenue producing) features in that master plan was the installation of a walking trail around the circumference.  Envisioned as a recreational facility for the neighborhood, the trail has also become the grand promenade and prestigious address for tailgaters.  It was amusing to see the large areas between the trail and the access road labeled as "premium" locations.  With the trail loop being a little over a mile and mostly two sided, you can imagine how nicely this neighborhood amenity works into the economic benefits of Navy football.

But strolling is not the only use of the trail, as you can see above.  You never know what kind of action you may encounter between visits with old friends and sharing a cup of cheer.  While wandering through a wooded section of the trail, we encountered a regiment of Scottish pipers, in full regalia and with bonny lasses performing the Highland fling.  Perhaps "Highland" is the operative word here, because it turns out this unlikely image that seemed to emanate from Brigadoon was actually from Highland Falls -- New York.  That tiny hamlet on the Hudson known as the home of West Point.

That's right -- the Long Gray Line now comes in plaid and knee socks.  And no, I didn't ask what was under the kilts.  I can only guess it is Army issue and TSA compliant.

Now it might surprise some of you that a West Point delegation would show up at a Navy home game, but one thing I learned years ago is not to be surprised at anyone who appears in Annapolis.  It is a favorite destinations for about everyone, and when the chance came for the Cadets to perform, they jumped right on it.  (For the record, Navy has a bagpipe troupe too, so they could have been jamming all night in Bancroft Hall. with dueling refrains of "Amazing Grace.")

As always, the game was inspiring.  The stadium, under a full moon, was luminescent. The north tower addition to the upper deck (completed before the season)  adds the perfect finishing touch.

I'm glad I didn't have to go a season without belting a heartfelt "Navy Blue and Gold" and screaming "Beat Army" with a stadium full of fans.  It's a great Maryland experience that everyone should have at least once.

Oct 22, 2010

A Time for Trailblazers

My equestrian friend Chris, who joined me on my first "Here 2 Play" adventure more than a year ago, was boundlessly enthusiastic about the recent Trails Summit hosted by the DNR in Linthicum.

Chris was there on behalf of the Annapolis Rec Board, but also to learn about equestrian-friendly trails in the state.  She was pleased to see that her horse friends were well represented by such advocacy groups as TROT (Trail Riders of Today) and EPIC (Equestrian Partners In Conservation.)

In fact, there were many interest groups attending, including representatives from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware.  A major focus of this pow wow was not just building new trails, but the most productive and expedient means to connect existing ones.

Our neighbors to the north already share two wildly popular multi-use trails with us.  The 20 mile Torrey Brown (North Central) in Baltimore County blends seamlessly into the York County Heritage Trail, which takes it another 21 miles beyond the Mason-Dixon line into to the city/county seat. 

Another of the most popular rail trails between the two states is the Great Allegheny Passage, of which the Allegheny Highlands Trail is the Maryland segment from Cumberland.  Together with the C&O Canal towpath, this creates a scenic route along old transportation routes from Georgetown to Pittsburgh.

Our friends to the east would like to see some similar connectors that would access Fair Hill, the 5633 acre DNR land preserve with trails and equestrian facilities.  Fair Hill, once the property of the DuPont family, is popular with mountain bikers and hosts many cycling as well as equestrian events.  Fair Hill shares borders with both Pennsylvania and Delaware and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts from all three states.

Virginia also sent a representative to the summit, who applauded Maryland's initiative to collaborate with neighboring states and pledged participation.

The Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) took an active role in the conversation.  Maryland, with its rugged terrain and vast expanses of public land, is a favorite destination for regional riders. MORE representatives are eyeing connectors between some of the existing trails and the virtually untouched state parks in Western Maryland.  They are also interested in identifying new/old trails in newly acquired conservation districts like the South River Greenway in Anne Arundel County.

The exciting thing about the summit is that it brought together all types of trail users and the conservation interests who support them as a means to promote stewardship of public lands.

Trails in Maryland have come a long way since the mid-1980's when the abandoned North Central railbed was envisioned as a recreational amenity.  DNR Secretary John Griffin, who addressed the conference, reminisced about the difficulties in overcoming NIMBY opposition to a linear park adjacent to private property. Today, of course, the North Central -- renamed to honor the visionary former DNC Secretary Dr. Torrey Brown -- is immensely popular with neighbors and visitors alike.  One of the questions frequently raised was "how can we connect to the Torrey Brown?"

Secretary Griffin reconfirmed his personal commitment to expanding and connecting the DNR's 1,000 mile system.  He unveiled a new DRN website which provides a data base of existing DNR trails and will eventually include other state, county and municipal trail information.

Of the 200+ in attendance, some were interested in trails as basic transportation, others as recreational and fitness facilities.  There were those who see them as linear parks and a means for preserving open space, and many who appreciate their appeal to the visitor industry and our heritage.  All had appreciation for the positive environmental and conservation impact that trails have in Maryland.  That was the common denominator for the very diverse assemblage in Linthicum.

As for "Here 2 Play," we celebrate trails as one of the many sports venues that our state has to offer visitors who love the outdoors and spend their time (and money) here.