Soccer in the Stratosphere

"Through the roof" is how TV pundits describe high ratings, but in Baltimore's case it is even more celestial.  The number of viewers tuned in to the recent pulse racer in Pretoria was somewhere in orbit.

According to Sun columnist Z on TV, the Nielson ratings showed Baltimore had the second largest TV audience among the nation's 56 metered markets Wednesday for ESPN's coverage of the US-Algeria match.  Only San Diego, which has led all markets for all matches, exceeded Baltimore's viewership.

Consider who that puts us ahead of -- such major markets as San Francisco, Washington and even such multi-cultural cities as Miami and New York.

We're not sure how they could truly calculate the number of viewers, because the Merry Marketeers were in one of those establishments where the number of fans greatly exceeded the number of television units.  We are also aware there were some places of business (not ours) where computer monitors were surreptitiously tuned in to the action. 

Only the webmasters know for sure how many people in Baltimore had their eyes on the ball.  Like the fire marshalls, they aren't telling Nielson or anyone else.

However, this one measurable statistic tells us (and the world) just how serious Baltimore is about international soccer.  The enthusiasm, the passion, and the commitment are all here.  We hope to demonstrate this again with a full stadium on July 31st when we entertain Manchester City in their friendly with Inter-Milan.

The Happening in the Harbor

Have you caught your breath yet?  Have you digested the fact that France and Italy are going home, and the US is still in biggest, most watched, sports tournament in the world?

Most importantly, DO YOU NOW REALIZE JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE INTO THIS?

As part of Team Terry's field visit yesterday, I spent a lot of time observing how intent President Bill Clinton was on the match in Pretoria.  Not only did he cheer himself hoarse right up through the 91st minute, but he changed his travel plans to stay through the weekend for the next round, and spent the rest of the evening schmoozing FIFA officials to select US for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

While we are watching the World Cup, we should remember that there are others watching us, seeing what kind of enthusiasm Americans have for the sport and the World Cup series.  Here in Maryland, we are particularly cognizant of this audition process, because we are angling to be one of the regions selected as hosts if the US is successful.  We want our energy to be palpable.  We want our setting to be classic.

Yes, we can whoop and howl in our favorite watering holes just like the best of them.  There are plenty of videos on YouTube of places much like our haunt beyond center field where fans in face paint and jerseys hop up and down and blow pseudo vuvuzelas.  But here in Baltimore we have the opportunity to stage something truly spectacular -- a waterfront watch party with a super screen TV overlooking the harbor, with a festival and beer garden.  For a Sunday in July, how much more fun could you have? 

(Dancing in the nearby Sondheim fountain comes to mind.  Of course, if it were up to me, the screen would be on the Domino board, but no one asked.)

The festival, which is sponsored by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, and the Maryland Office of Sports Marketing, is being organized by ASG Events, who promoted the very successful outdoor festival in Towson for the US-England match.  The event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will include appearances from members of the Baltimore Blast, Crystal Palace Baltimore, and D.C. United.

Game time for the final match is 2:30, giving families a full day of fun and excitement in the Inner Harbor.

While the benefit for the Waterfront Partnership is meritous in itself, this celebration is also the opportunity for Team Terry and the Merry Marketeers to make an additional pitch for soccer-philes to sign the online petition supporting our region as a host site.  And it is also a promotion for the upcoming Man City-Inter Milan match coming to M&T Bank stadium later than month.

So plan to be a part of the happening.  Frolic in the fountain, enjoy a brewski, and watch the sun set over the harbor as the world celebrates the most popular sport on the planet.

UnStoppAble!!

While sitting at our favorite watering hole outside of center field, Team Terry felt the weight of American support for our team.  Its amazing, whether its a slightly unrecognized sport like ice dancing, or curling, or a much more heavily favored world sport such as soccer, Americans love to cheer their teams to victory.  It is no big secret that soccer in the U.S. has no where near the following it has overseas.  So to watch the bar quickly fill up at 10-am on a workday was very exciting! It was quite obvious from the suits and ties as opposed to jerseys that these fans were having "meetings" out by center field, just like we were, but nevertheless, the fan-base here is booming by the day, and chomping at the bit for wins, just as exciting as yesterday's! The American culture will have to evolve with our interest, to make jerseys in board rooms acceptable practice on World Cup days.

The bated breaths were almost too much to handle, until that sweet extra minute sealed the deal.  The place was literally vibrating from the applause that didn't stop for many minutes after Landon Donovan's game winner.  All in all a wonderful day at the "office".  If you didn't get a chance to come out yesterday, thanks to Donovan you have another chance on Saturday!   Don't forget your horns, because the U.S. as well as Baltimore are HERE TO PLAY, so watch out world!!!


To have such a growing fan-base in a town that doesn't have an MLS team should show you how badly Baltimoreans want the World Cup here!  Help us make it happen by signing our petition at www.gousabid.com/baltimore!

The Scenic Skies of Sugarloaf

This must be Maryland's month for transcontinental competition.  Last Friday, the Race Across America cyclists pedaled into Annapolis after a journey that began in Oceanside, California.

This Friday, a fleet of different vehicles will alight in Frederick after a multi-staged, 2,500 race that begins tomorrow in Fort Myers, Florida.  The Women’s Air Race Classic, which began in 1929, was made famous by Amelia Earhart.  This year, the race course brings her sisters in the celestial sorority to Maryland.

More than 50 teams (pilot and navigator) will be flying instrument-free, using their skills and finesse to manueuver among clouds and windstreams in an effort to clock the best times in the handicapped race.

In all, the race covers eleven states, with eight stops in four days.  It is a celebration of the role women have played in aviation history, and is an opportunity for all involved in general aviation to be a part of the fun.  This year’s race falls in the centennial of licensed women pilots and includes pilots ranging from college students to grandmothers.  Some of the pioneers, like the World War II WASPs, will be a part of the festivities.

The Frederick Terminus of the Air Race Classic is organized by the Sugarloaf Chapter of "The Ninety-Nines," a women pilots association.  It offers the opportunity for competitors and spectators to celebrate in style with the post-race “Meltdown Party,” in casual 1929-style.

On Saturday, there will be a special screening of “Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women’s National Air Derby,” a documentary about the first race.

There are a full weekend of activities, including the awards ceremony at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center.   In all, it's the opportunity to meet a spirits group of competitors, learn more about this history of aviation, and enjoy a visit to Frederick.

Blastoff at Budds Creek

This weekend brings the annual Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship series to Maryland.  If you're checking your calendar because it doesn't seem like a year since that last rain soaked episode, that's because the Budds Creek National has been moved to an earlier date on the circuit.  Traditionally one of the closing rounds during the second half of the 12-race schedule, Budds Creek moves to round four in the middle of June.

The Lucas Oil AMA series brings the top tier of professional riders from all over the world  to compete, and the Budds Creek track offers nearly perfect visibility for spectators at numerous venues along the course. The event usually attracts more than 20,000 fans to see the best racing in the sport.

The MotoTees.com Budds Creek National kicks-off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.  Both the 450 and 250 classes  will be broadcast the same day on SPEED, starting with the 250 Class at 8:00 p.m. and the 450 Class at 9:00 p.m.  Live internet stream of the first motos of both classes can be seen at www.allisports.com.

Now Pedaling Our Way . . .

The grueling Race Across America, which bills itself as the World's Toughest Bicycle Race, began in Oceanside, California on June 12th, bound for the City Dock in Annapolis.  Leaders have now reached Maryland, the final state in the cross country, single-stage challenge.

That's the good news for the cyclists.  The bad news is that after pedaling night and day, the course now brings them to one of the toughest terrains -- the mountains of Allegany County.

They'll be entering the state via the National Road in Lavale, outside Cumberland.  They after breezing in and out of West Virginia, they will contend with Polish Mountain and Sideling Hill.  There are some downhill stretches here, but the uphill climbs are going to be a bear for those exhausted cyclists.

They'll take a time stop in Mount Airy, and then it's on to Annapolis for the weekend.  (Let's hope they don't get caught in beach traffic.)

About 250 hardy riders started this perilous journey.  Check the website to see how they are doing.   One thing we can guarantee -- they will get a warm welcome in Annapolis, where competitive cycling is a popular pastime.

The Few, the Proud, the Whimsical

Just as committed cyclists have their flight of fancy with the Kinetic Sculpture Race, the running community has their own down and dirty ironic event. 

The RunAmuck 5K  Mud and Music Festival sounds like basic training for Navy SEALS, held at Woodstock.  Blaring music, water hazards, slime, filth, and comradarie make it one of the most outrageous (and fun) exercises on the running circuit.

The RunAmuck 5K took place around Lake Needwood in Rockville last month.  It is one of a series of mud runs that started in California a few years back, near (where else?) Camp Pendleton.  They have spread around to other parts of the country under different names, like Muddy Buddy.

The Rockville RunAmuck is a good, hard 5K trail run with a three crossings of the muddy (and mucky) lake, two sloshes through man-made mud pits, a few scrambles over wooden barriers and some hoofing through agility grids.