Bats 1 - Bikers 1

If there is one thing we’ve learned from this summer of soccer, it’s that even a tie can be considered a win. Such is the case with the decision handed down from DNR concerning the long disputed Indigo Tunnel and the efforts to incorporate it into a spectacular feature of the Western Maryland Rail Trail.

As readers of this blog already know, this extension of the popular trail running through the far western part of the state would take visitors through a number of 100 year old tunnels and across trestles spanning the Potomac. It had been in the planning stage for some time when biologists discovered the long-abandoned, 4,350-foot-long Indigo Tunnel just outside Pearre was the largest bat hibernaculum on the East Coast.

Not just any bats, mind you. Of the 1,400 bats who winter in Indigo, there are several species represented. When a few from the endangered list were found snoozing, the Feds immediately stepped in to protect them.

Mariners in Ship Shape

Baltimore is alive with football fever, but it isn't all about the Raven's joining up at training camp today. The Baltimore Mariners won the American Indoor Football Association's (AIFA) Championship yesterday, in front of a crowd of 6,075 fans.

The Mariners joined the AIFA only three years ago, and already hold the record as the only team in AIFA history to go undefeated.  As well as bringing home the city's 8th pro-football title.

It wasn't all smooth sailing though, the Mariners fell behind 16-0 in the first 6 minutes of the game. Their opponents the Wyoming Cavalry, have played in the last three championships, but have been unable to take the trophy home. Although the Mariner's boat was rocked a little in the first quarter, they were able to pull out a stunning 57-42 win!

As the AIFA gets some years under its belt, the fan base will follow.  Its a proud moment to see the Mariners representing our town so well!

Great Job Guys! Look for us in the crowd next season!

Flacco Pulls Through for. . . . Shorebirds?

That's right.  The word from the Shore is that first baseman Mike Flacco (younger brother of You Know Who) went three for three last night against the Lakewood Blue Claws and drove in the winning run.

Team Terry just visited the Shore and paid a visit to Perdue Stadium, home of the Delmarva Shorebirds, and were very impressed by the attractive multi-use stadium in Salisbury.

Minor league ball is a big draw in Maryland.  Not only do we have nice community stadiums that offer families the opportunity to see the Orioles of Tomorrow in an affordable setting, but the teams themselves have interesting promotions that make them even more fun to attend.

This week, the Frederick Keys are continuing their  local celebrity bobblehead series as Bryan Voltaggio, chef of Volt in downtown Frederick, will be featured with the first 1,000 fans receiving the bobblehead giveaway tomorrow.  Voltaggio gained national recognition as a finalist on the Top Chef reality series, a competition which his brother eventually won.

Volt will also run a concession stand that will raise money for the charity Share Our Strength that night.

So whether it's in Frederick, Hagerstown, Waldorf, Bowie, or Aberdeen, the minors of Maryland have major impact on quality of life and tourism.  And they are great facilities for a multitude of events that bring economic dollars to Maryland.

That time of year again . . .

It's still awfully hot here at the Warehouse, so I was surprised to see someone decked out in full Todd Heap regalia wandering outside M&T stadium.  Until I got closer and noticed . . .

 .. . . it really IS Todd Heap!!

Seems he was shooting some kind of promo, with the stadium in the background.  Naturally, the producers had no time for groupies or paparazzi, so they shooed me away.  But not before I got this shot of Todd rehydrating.

Yes, even MSA employees get giddy and star struck at the sight of our heroes.  Particularly when we're all counting the days until we welcome them back to the Yards.

Training camp begins today in Westminster, but only the rookies have to report.  So I guess Todd can afford a few retakes before he heads for the hills.

Shore 'Nuff

The Merry Marketeers are mustering and shortly Team Terry will be storming the bridge for the Tour de Shore. 

Stay tuned . . . .

From Whom All Blessings Flow

We received some good news this week about a groundbreaking on the C&O Canal.   Big Slackwater (don’t you love those colorful names?) lock and dam, closed for several years due to serious erosion from the Potomac, will be restored – thanks mostly to a federal stimulus grant, funding from the state, and hard work from the local representatives and visitors bureau who made getting this segment repaired a priority project.

As has been noted before, the C&O Canal is more than a historic landmark, it is a popular tourist attraction – particularly in the sports and recreation community.  Hundreds of thousand of visitors trek various segments every year.

Unfortunately, there is a bend in the Potomac in Washington County where periodic flooding took out the path. The detour to the next lock a mile upstream was particularly treacherous, but the environmental challenges for restoring the path had a hefty price tag of $17 million. Not something the Friends, County or even State could finance by themselves.

Enter the Feds to do the heavy lifting. With the largest portion of the project funded by Economic Recovery dollars, the ambitious reconstruction will be underway soon and this dramatic scenic byway will again be accessible to trail travelers.

It is partnerships involving multiple entities that make many of our quality of life and competitive facilities possible.   In Maryland, Project Open Space $$$$ are frequently leveraged with Transportation Enhancement Funds (that’s another federal piggy bank) to develop trails, since they are both linear parks and an alternative transportation option.

There was more good news on that front last week, when Governor O’Malley announced the final $4 million necessary to extend the Jones Falls Trail from the Cylburn Arboretum to Mt. Washington had been secured.   It is likely to be at least 18 months before the walking and bicycle route is underway, but community support and financial commitments were two big hurdles to be addressed and both were met.

The trail currently extends 4.25 miles from Penn Station to the Woodbury light rail at Clipper Mill, where it passes a number of historic mills, the Round Falls overlook and Baltimore Street Car Museum. Another segment winds through Druid Hill Park by the Maryland Zoo and around the reservoir, where it is a popular access for the many sports activities that occur there.

When complete, the Jones Falls Trail will extend 12 miles, from the Inner Harbor to Lake Roland at the Robert E. Lee Park.

Which brings another piece of good news, and more largess.

Robert E. Lee Park, a 453 acre gem surrounding Lake Roland, was a favorite of the four-footed set for years. Before falling into disrepair which necessitated its closing, Lee was considered the largest and most popular dog recreational facility in the area.

Lee Park has the curious distinction of being City property (and site of the first municipal water source) but being physically located in the County. It was actually a local community association that suggested the County take over management and restoration of the park.

After working out a lease agreement with the City, Baltimore County needed $6 million to make repairs and improvements to the neglected facility. These include reconstructing the pedestrian bridge, (once a railroad trestle,) restoring existing trails, adding parking, and developing up a secure dog park. (Fido activities will be confined to a specific, fenced area in the future.)

Baltimore County ponied up half the funds; the State of Maryland came through with the other half via the bond bill route. Work has already begun on the pedestrian bridge and addressing some environmental challenges due to erosion.

So when travelers on the Jones Falls Trail reach the Lake Roland terminus, Robert E. Lee Park offers a natural extension and more activities to enjoy.

Let’s give thanks to those On High who help leverage community resources and bring good ideas to fruition for everyone’s benefit.  We couldn't do it without them.

An Unexpected Windfall

The latest issue of Press Box is out, so I snagged one while walking to work. I love Press Box because I always learn something new, or look at something differently, by reading it. Today I gained appreciation for the big bucks associated with an aspect of the sports industry I’d never thought about – collecting sports memorabilia.

The article is about the upcoming Sports Collectors Convention being held in Baltimore August 4-8. Since we have all sorts of conventions (including the always-entertaining Otakon,  which should make interesting light rail conversation for the soccer fans,) I didn’t give much thought about the kind of impact it might have on the hospitality industry or how it related to real-time sports.

When I saw the kind of eye-popping stats produced by the visitors and participants at this hoedown, I was amazed.   Because it’s one more reason why sports in Maryland is big business, it’s appropriate to share them with you here.

Consider this: 35-40,000 people will attend over the five days. Between exhibitors, fans, and celebrity guests that adds up to about 4,500 hotel rooms per day.   Spin offs include restaurant meals, services, car rentals, and retail purchases.  Birds are at home during that stretch, so you can bet there will be an influx at the box office from those out of towners eager to visit our iconic ballpark, which is directly across from the convention hotel.

Another ancillary event taking place in a uniquely Baltimore (and on-site) venue is the Heritage Auction Gallery’s live event at Sports Legends Museum, August 5th. This will feature a number of Baltimore-centric memorabilia, including some Babe Ruth relics and a 1958 Baltimore Colt team-signed football.

At least 75 former athletes, including Oriole and Colt Hall of Famers, will be in attendance. The 50's era Topps baseball card of Cal is a commemorative, recognizing his 50th birthday this year. This is part of a special set that will be included in a VIP package at the convention.

Once again, Baltimore was a good choice for this first convention held on the East Coast in seven years because it is a recognized sports town, in a central location, with a downtown Convention Center close to the interstate, airport, light rail and Amtrak. 

Check out the article for more information and be sure to stay tuned for more details. This will be a great celebration of professional sports in a family friendly atmosphere.

Team Terry on Tour -- Explore the Shore

Next week tout le Team Terry will be crossing the bridge to check out the natural resources and facilities that comprise the Eastern Shore sports scene.

Our primary destination is Somerset County, home of the Somer's Cove Marina in Crisfield -- largest state-owned marina in Maryland.  It is also a popular venue for public events and maritime activities like fishing tournaments and boat docking competitions.

(Boat docking contests among the watermen is somewhat like rodeos are to cowboys.  It's the opportunity to establish supremacy working the tools of the trade, and it's something to behold.  Virtually all maritime festivals and celebrations feature boat docking contests and they are real crowd pleasers.)

But I digress.  This trip will give Team Terry the opportunity to see some real gems in our state park system, like Janes Island, which has some of the best water trails in Maryland.  Tweety and Blogue are planning a little kayaking adventure there.

Hopefully, we'll have time to follow the Old Indian Trail (one of Maryland's Scenic Byways) to Assateague Island in Worcester, where the flat terrain, beautiful wetlands and ubiquitous wild ponies make it a favorite for recreational cyclists.

We know there's a lot of sports and recreation facilities to see on Maryland's southern Eastern Shore and our itinerary is still up in the air.  But look for it on the blog next week.

The Best Gets Even Better

If you look closely at this picture of Navy-Marine Corps stadium taken last year, you'll notice the west side of the stadium (on the left) has a tower and partial tier.  That's where the press box, a number of hospitality suites and the deck for television cameras are located.  From there you can see over the State House, all the way to the Severn and the Bay.  It is simply breathtaking and a view few have the opportunity to enjoy.

As I was driving into Annapolis last weekend, I noticed another tower being constructed on the east side of the stadium and was curious what it was for.

It seems that to enhance the broadcast of Navy games (which are carried on CBS College Sports) a television deck will be stationed on that side, to better cover the Brigade of Midshipmen and their bench.

(Since there is so much pageantry at Navy games, it should be captured from as many angles as possible to convey the true fan experience.  Otherwise, you miss Bill the Goat grazing on the sidelines.)

The television deck is not the only upgrade to the stadium.  The new level will also include more hospitality suites and better handicapped access to the upper deck with two additional elevators.  To facilitate access for all fans, there will be a pedestrian bridge to their seats.

The stadium construction will be complete by Navy's game against Georgia Southern on September 11th.  They'll have an extra week to get things done, because their first real "home" game is at M&T against University of Maryland, September 6th.

Thrilled as we are to see them here in Baltimore, there's really nothing like watching Navy in Annapolis.  It's a ritual I treasure and as a resident, I couldn't be prouder of the quality sports facilities our home team provides.

Congratulations to Chet Gladchuk and his team for continuing to improve on such a quality product.

Garrett County -- Getting Traction with Trails

Garrett County, Maryland’s Adventureland, is already known for its wealth of natural resources, man-made recreational venues, and spectacular scenery. With 80,000 state-owned acres of forests and parks (more than any other county,) Garrett has always been a favorite destination for those who love the great outdoors.

Now Garrett County, where mountain biking is a favorite local pastime and well as tourist attraction, is looking for a way to capitalize on the phenomena that already benefits its neighbors in Allegany, Mineral, and Somerset Counties — the Great Allegheny Passage.

This week, Senators Mikulski and Cardin, both avid supporters of trail construction, announced a $30,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to help develop a countywide trail network, approximately 150 miles long, that will connect many of the towns in Garrett County to the Great Allegheny Passage – the portion of the trail that connects Cumberland to Pittsburgh. (The C&O Canal is the segment from Georgetown to Cumberland, where it meets the Allegheny Highlands Trail.)

The grant will be administered by Garrett Trails, a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to developing a trail network to provide access to the county’s historic, municipal, and environmental treasures, and a link to trails outside the county.  In addition to ARC funds, Garrett Trails will provide $20,000 and Maryland Program Open Space will provide $10,000.

Allegheny Highlands, the Maryland portion of the Great Allegheny Passage, follows the old Western Maryland railroad line.  It was completed in 2006 and began reaping economic benefits almost immediately .

An 18-month economic impact study performed by our friends in Pennsylvania found that the trail has become a national and international destination.  It hosts an estimated 750,000 trips annually,
generating over $40 million in annual spending and another $7.5 million in wages.

Pennsylvania was quicker to jump on the economic potential for small businesses, establishing a “Trail Towns” program that worked with the communities and services along the trails to capitalize on the needs of visitors passing through.   Maryland towns like Hancock and Sharpsburg have seen the potential and are likewise developing trail-friendly amenities to lure these pedal pushers.

Even Carpendale, across the river from Cumberland, has figured a way to sidetrack some of this lucrative market via an old railroad trestle over the Potomac and tunnel under Knobley Mountain. This scenic spur to the Great Allegheny Passage will bring countless visitors into the small West Virginia town when it is complete in a few months.

So it’s easy to see why Garrett would like a piece of the action, while also developing an even greater recreational resource and alternative transportation option for its residents.

The “Garrett Loop” will connect with the Great Allegheny Passage at Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, providing access to Grantsville, Deep Creek Lake, Friendsville and Oakland as well as state parks and open spaces in the county.

Garrett Trails is hoping that construction on part of this network can begin in 2011. Identifying connectors and establishing easements is the first step. Hopefully this grant will pave the way
to bringing more people to destinations like Dynamite Shack Trail and Indian Turnip Trail. You can learn more about the existing trails of Garrett County by going here:

Terry has promised the Merry Marketeers a field visit to Garrett County this summer, so learning more about the future trails is going to be part of my explorations.

The Greatest "Shared Human Experience" in the World

I'm guessing two thirds of the world has now stopped what they were doing, or are furtively looking over their shoulder, to focus on the World Cup final in South Africa.  The other third is either there or at one of the thousands of watch parties all over the earth where partisans have gathered for the last contest of the quadrennial challenge.

Team Terry was out in force for the Happening at the Harbor, where giant high def screen loomed over the bulkhead between the Visitors Center and Science Center.

Hundreds had already gathered and claimed their spots when we arrived long before kickoff.

First thing I noticed was all the kids frolicking around.  They were down in front, close to the screen, kicking balls, twirling their Hula Hoops, jumping on moon bounces and taking soccer kick challenges.

(Who else has the energy to do that in this weather?)

Despite the heat, there was a gentle breeze blowing across the water, and plenty of tents to provide shade.  There were also numerous opportunities for libations to counter the heat.

Terry was part of the welcoming ceremony shortly before kickoff.  He urged all those present to show Baltimore's commitment to soccer in two ways -- by pulling out their cell phones and signing the online US Bid petition via text and by purchasing tickets to the Manchester City - Inter Milan game on July 31st at M&T .

(NOTE:  Sign that petition right now.  That's right -- stop reading and pull out your phone and dial 22442 and text the message "baltimore."   Thank you.)

 There was no shortage of partisans at the festival.  Plenty of red, gold and blue wandering among the booths and an equal number of decked out in red white and blue face paint and bright orange shirts.

(We noted a number of Oriole shirts there.  We do not know if this was because the color is the same as the Dutch, or they're still celebrating those comeback victories over the Rangers.)

Terry says there were more than a thousand people when the game started, and they were still streaming in despite the park being packed.  Folks were wandering around to the refreshment stands and the play areas and strolling along the promenade just to enjoy the breeze.

In all, it was a splendiforous occasion.  Kudos to Scott Westcoat and ASG Events, who organized everything.  Special thanks to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who was so supportive and continues to be one of our great cheerleaders for bringing major sports events to Baltimore.  Thanks to MSA board member and Deputy Mayor Kaliope Parthemos, who represented the Mayor and joined with Terry to welcome the crowd.

There really are no losers on this day.  Anytime, and any occasion that can bring people together for a shared experience in the joys of competition is a winner.  Today, Baltimore scored a timely goal.

Bravo Bays !!!!

We can’t begin Soccer Sunday without recognizing the amazing achievements of the Baltimore Bays and their recent wins in national regional tournament play.

For the past two years, the Bays were rated the top youth soccer organization in the country by Soccer America. Based on their 2010 accomplishments, they are likely to earn the top spot again.

The Bays are actually now known as the Baltimore Bays Chelsea, for their affiliation with the Premier league team who visited here last summer. Many of the elite programs have such a partnership with professional teams, who support their training and growth. It’s something like the MLB’s farm system, where you grow your own players. In soccer, the process starts much earlier, and the reach is far greater. Developing top prospects on the other side of the globe is part of the international appeal of the Beautiful Game.

But back to the Bays and what they’ve done – and are now doing in national competition.

Winners of the 2008 and 2009 under-15 title at the U.S. Youth Soccer Championships, the Bays are going for a three-peat in 2010 after winning the Region I Championships in West Virginia this week. Starting July 20, the Bays' U-15s, will compete in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Overland Park, Kansas.

The Bays, who also won the U-13 boys title, took away top honors in two categories in this major soccer regional classic that will be coming to Maryland in 2012.

This weekend, two of the older Bays squads, the 15/16 and 17/18 left for the U.S. Developmental Academy League Championships in a weeklong tournament in California.

The Bays were formed in 2002 with two other local soccer organizations. The club consists of 48 boys and girls teams starting at under-8 through under-23.  From the beginning, their goal was to establish the best program in the state, with top leadership, quality coaching and intense training of technical skills, fundamentals, and teamwork.

On the boys side, the Bays have dominated  -- winning six national championships in five years in age groups ranging from under-14 to under-19.

Our good friend (and very loyal OSM supporter) Kevin Healey is an integral part of the Bays program.

We’re hoping some of the younger Bays and their families will be with us at the Harbor today. They deserve recognition for their excellence, commitment to sportsmanship, and role as the future of US soccer. If you see one in their distinctive uniforms, be sure to tell them how proud you are to have them represent Maryland.

Closing a Gap, Opening a Window

It's a small segment when you talk about trails, only two miles.  But the $1.3 million link, which began construction this week and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, will connect 24 miles of existing Maryland trails that end near Bladensburg Waterfront Park to 16 miles of planned trails in Washington, D.C.

Along the way, it will give commuters, recreational cyclists, and nature lovers access to the Anacostia River and the $8.5 million wetland rehabilitation project the state completed in 2006, which has been inaccessible to visitors. The new trail, which will run alongside the river, will allow hikers and bikers to enjoy the nearly 22 acres of wetlands and wildlife, which includes nesting bald eagles.

This "missing link" will complete trails that connect neighborhoods, Metro stations, parks, the University of Maryland, several schools, an airport, the Washington Nationals' Stadium and the National Mall at the Tidal Basin.  In other words, there's a lot of bang for the bucks invested by the State of Maryland and the National Capital Parks and Planning Commission for both transportation and recreation purposes. 

Since Bladensburg, like Baltimore, was the site of a major battle in the War of 1812 (big difference --- the home team lost and the White House got torched) we guess they will also be players in the upcoming Bicentennial celebration the State is planning.

While this particular link was at the very top of Governor O'Malley's "To Do" list, there are other trail projects quietly moving along various stages of development.  If you want to see just how far these plans have progressed, there is a wonderful interactive map created by the Maryland Department of Transportation, compiled from information from the counties, municipalities, and other state agencies like DNR and DBED.  Click on the tab "Trails in Maryland" at this website:

As cycling and running become more a part of the Maryland sports scene, we point to these projects as examples of the facilities for training as well as competitions, and our commitment to sustainability.  These linear parks enhance quality of life as they bridge communities and provide safe alternative transportation.

Feel the Energy!

OK, it's almost 100 degrees again, so you probably don't want to think about going outside or anywhere near asphalt.

But it you need a quick burst of adrenalin to get you through the afternoon, go visit the new Baltimore Grand Prix website.  That should get your engines humming.

The event will be coming to downtown Baltimore in about 13 months, but you'll be seeing the road improvements and other course enhancements long before then.

Be a part of the action and learn more about the sport.  Check out the website and see you you can be involved.

Chesapeake Charge -- Growing the Game in Gambrills

As we work our way to World Cup finals and our bid to bring the games to Maryland, now is a good time to look at organizations on all levels who show just how passionately the game is played in our region.

2010 is the inaugural season for the Chesapeake Charge, an Anne Arundel entry in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

If you're not familiar with the Women's Premier Soccer League, it was formed in 1998 as an independent national soccer organization whose main focus is on the development of highly competitive amateur women's soccer teams.

Their mission to is to bring quality soccer to all levels of the community and promote the stature of female athletes as role models for youngsters.  The WPSL is affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States,  and our good friends at FIFA, who rule the world.
 
WPSL teams roster college, post-college, foreign and talented high school players every year. The season runs from May to August. A league championship tournament is held the last weekend of July or first weekend of August.  Many college programs encourage their athletes to play summer soccer with the WPSL to prepare for the upcoming season and gain experience playing with top caliber players, including former and aspiring professionals. 
 

The Chesapeake Charge, who play at Carroll Field at Arundel High in Gambrills, are currently 3-3-3 .   On Friday, they take on TSC Maryland Pride -- a team established in 1991 in Howard County.  This game will be held in Columbia at Howard Community College.
 
There will be representatives from the Women's Premier Soccer League at the World Cup Festival in the Inner Harbor this Sunday.  They are an integral part of what makes Maryland such a soccer-centric site for tournament play.
 
Can't leave the subject without reminding you to sign the petition.  Our goal is to fill the stadium with supporters to let FIFI and the USA Bid Committee know just how committed we are to the sport.

Tarzan in the Tree Tops

When last we visited Lake Needwood Park in Rockville, it was for the whimsical and chaotic Run A Muck, a 5K slog through the mud and slime.

Now it seems the truly adventurous are taking to the trees in a test of athletic ability, strength and agility. 

Go Ape, a concept developed in the UK, has now swung into Rockville.  It is a giant obstacle course built in the trees using ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and super-strong wire.

Go Ape partnered with the Montgomery County to offer this outdoor recreational facility on park property.  It has been open only since May 8th and has already captured the imagination of groups and families who regard the challenge as a team building (and bonding) experience.

In addition to the zip lines through the canopy, thrill seekers also climb rope ladders and sweep from tree to tree like Cheetah.

The entire course takes two or three hours to complete (and yes, they do require swingers to take a 45 minute safety course prior to heading aloft.)

Those who have taken the challenge describe it as exhilarating.  (Of course, these are some of the same folks who think it's a gas to slop through a swamp in a funny costume.)  But it's getting great reviews even from mainstream outdoors enthusiasts.

While not for the faint-hearted or acrophopic, frolicking through the treetops sounds like a real hoot.  Another good reason (along with climbing the Carderock cliffs or shooting the Great Falls rapids) for the adrenalin rushed to visit Montgomery County.  Grab your banana and GO.

Waterfront Soccer Festival -- Family Fun, World Cup Watch

So you missed the 30th Anniversary party for the Inner Harbor last week?  And you didn't make the fireworks on the Fourth? 

Never fear -- the Inner Harbor has a happening on tap that will provide pyrotechnics all its own.  Family friendly, but a rollicking good romp for soccerphiles of all ages.  It's the World Cup Festival, an all day celebration of the final game in the quadrennial series, this Sunday July 11th.

In addition to being a viewing site for the game with a giant digital screen planted on the western promenade, it is also an opportunity to celebrate soccer with some of the local pros from DC United, Baltimore Blast, and Crystal Palace.

The event is sponsored by the Waterfront Partnership in cooperation with the Office of Sports Marketing.  Which brings us to Terry's role in all this -- another opportunity to promote Maryland as the host site for a future World Cup by demonstrating the enthusiasm for, and support of, soccer in our state.  Team Terry will be there with our bells and whistles (no vuvuzelas) pushing for more online signatures on the petition.

It's also the opportunity to promote the upcoming Manchester City - Inter Milan match on July 31st at M&T.  If you haven't got your tickets yet, be sure to do so -- they're going fast.

But for now, make plans to take the family or posse to the Inner Harbor next Sunday.  Getting there is a breeze from downtown, now that the *FREE* Charm City Circulator connects Federal Hill to Penn Station and Little Italy to the U of MD Biopark.  Both routes pass through the harbor, giving you the opportunity to take in more of Baltimore on your visit.

It's only appropriate that this harbor celebration takes place near the monuments to two venerated Baltimore boosters -- William Donald Schaefer and Walter Sondheim.  They both would appreciate how the revitalization of the harbor has made it the perfect setting for people to come together and celebrate.  That's what sports -- and community -- are all about.

See you next Sunday !!

All Lax, (Almost) All American

In Maryland, where lacrosse is never out of season, a special all star event takes place over the Fourth of July weekend. The fifth annual Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic brought 88 top high school seniors (girls and boys) to Baltimore for a last chance to play as preps before beginning their college careers in the fall.

For these elite players, it is an opportunity to play on the same team with the rivals they played against for four years. Since the teams are determined geographically (North and South) many of the competitors have long histories as regular season opponents.

Others found the first chance to play with/against future college teammates. The ACC had a total of twenty players on the boys roster, with eight of them committed to North Carolina and six to Maryland. Georgetown did best with the girls, snagging five All Americans. Maryland and North Carolina had four each.

The Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic has deep Baltimore roots, with the iconic sportswear company teaming up with Corrigan Sports and Inside Lacrosse Magazine to make the selections and organize the weekend events. ESPNU (whom we’ve seen a lot of this year around M&T) broadcast the boys contest live.

For the second year, the Under Armour Classic expanded the weekend to include underclassmen in the fun, with teams organized by regions. Boys and girls teams came from Baltimore, Long Island, Midwest, New England, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Upstate New York and Washington, D.C. They participated in pool play on Saturday in the fields around Unitas Stadium, with finals scheduled for Sunday, July 4th at 3:30PM.

Both All-America games were hard-fought, high scoring contests. The North girls barely squeezed past their opponents 17-16 while the North boys were a little more dominant, winning 17-12.

While much is made of the intense rivalry between Maryland and Long Island as the hotbeds of the sport, an interesting irony played out in the boys game. Most Valuable Player, hands down, was an attackman who played midfield and scored four goals in North’s win. His name is Mark Cockerton, and he’s from Oshawa.

That’s right. The most elite All-American of 2010 is a Canadian.

But we’ll be seeing more of him, since he’s heading even farther south, to Charlottesville, where he'll join his brother Matt as a Cavalier. That means he’s a good bet to be playing around here sometime next season.

The Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic had 2,500 fans at Unitas yesterday. Many were F&F (friends and family) who came for the entire weekend to participate in all the festivities in and around Baltimore. After all, it is the cradle of lacrosse, where the game is always on.

Zipping over Garrett County

Terry promised to take the Merry Marketeers on a team outing to Western Maryland just as soon as he gets back (and we all recover from World Cup fever.)

This comes as great news, because a new feature has been added at the Wisp Resort as part of its four-season appeal.  The Flying Squirrel Zip Line Adventure is now available, offering the truly daring the opportunity to zoom between the treetops in the beautiful mountains of Garrett County.

In addition to being the home of Maryland's only ski resort, Garrett County also has the state's most rugged terrain -- making it a natural for outdoor adventure sports.

Speaking of Adventure Sports, one of our stops will be the world-class watersports facility built on the mountain near Wisp.  Hopefully, the Marketeers will all get a chance to practice our kayaking skills.  I'd also like to get in a trip to Deep Creek Lake, one of the most popular area attractions, and maybe even a little cycling. 

The Savage River is nationally recognized for being one of the premier fly fishing streams in the country, which also contributes to the sports and recreation tourism Western Maryland enjoys.

Hopefully, we'll also get to take a look at the site where a new $23 million Community Sports and Recreation Complex is under construction on the campus of Garrett College.  The planned project consists of a 32,000-square-foot aquatics center complete with two indoor swimming pools (you know how Terry loves those natatoriums,) a fitness facility and a physical therapy facility to be run by Garrett County Memorial Hospital.

A second phase will include a 34,000-square-foot gymnasium with three regulation-size basketball courts and seating for about 2,000.  These present all sorts of possibilities for bringing more events to the far west.

So stay tuned for the adventures of Team Terry as we explore more of the many assets Maryland  offers sports enthusiasts.

Cal Sr.: Still Growing the Game

That's Cal, Jr., back on 33rd Street in Baltimore, at what was once -- and will be again -- home plate.  But the day was really about Cal, Sr. and his legacy of making the game accessible to all and developing skills through hard work and practice.

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is devoted to just those principles, and the State of Maryland is greatly enriched by the facilities and programs it has produced.  This was very evident to Team Terry when we visited his namesake stadium in Aberdeen last summer, but it manifests itself throughout the state in other, growing ways.

Just this week, Cal Jr. and Billy Ripken were part of a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the old Memorial Stadium, where they both played for the Orioles and their dad.  The Cal, Sr. Foundation, through a partnership with the Y of Central Maryland and contributions from the state, city, and private donors, is building a $1.5 million youth development park on the spot where the Orioles and Colts once played.   The project will have synthetic turf, dugouts and a home plate exactly where it used to be.

This part is first step in a plan to bring baseball facilities into the inner city where so few exist anymore, having been lost to development.  It's part of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation's "Swing For the Future" campaign, which gives at-risk youth safe places to play and learn.  The new field at Memorial Stadium will be ready in about four months. The Ripken Foundation plans to build five in Baltimore, including one in Park Heights and another in Patterson Park.

Cal, Sr.'s influence is felt in other ways and places in Maryland this time of year, with his eponymous wooden bat league in full swing.  This collegiate circuit offers summer training to varsity athletes, and the opportunity to stay on top of their game after their regular season ends. 

The Ripken league plays all over the state.  Last year, their All Star Game was held at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf .  Season champions were the Bethesda Big Train -- seen here at Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John playing against Youse's Orioles.

The Ripken league experience is appreciated as much for its comradery as it is for honing skills and offering top notch competition.  Since 2005, it has been a favorite with players as well as the communities where the games have become affordable family activities.  For updates on the collegiate wooden bat league, go here:

The Ripken Way is still with us, still contributing to game of baseball and all those who love it.

Unimoniker

It used to be that unless you were a diva rock star (think:  Cher, Madonna) you couldn't pull off the single name persona.

Thanks to the World Cup, tout le monde now realizes that all it requires is being a Brazilian soccer player.  Or a program that can turn your given name and favorite number into an instant Brazilian icon.

(The way this World Cup is going, you might get a lot of mileage out of that)

So before I depart for my favorite spot right beyond centerfield to see what's left of the Dutch orange trying to squeeze something out of the samba slickters (disclaimer: early lunch, off the clock)  I leave you with this website where you can learn what your Brazilian soccer and see how it would look on your team jersey.

(This is even more fun than learning what your mob name would be if you worked for "The Sopranos," because a uniform comes with it.)

So try it yourself.  You might have a fun souvenir to wear to the Man City-Inter Milan game on the 31st at M&T Bank Stadium