Oh My Mudder!

On this typical stormy spring day in Maryland, OSM took a trip to Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area in Cecil County for a site visit.  The folks at Tough Mudder have been looking for potential sites in our area to host one of their events in early 2012.  Tough Mudder is thought of as one of the toughest endurance competitions on the planet.  Its 10-12 mile obstacle courses are designed by British Special Forces to test strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. After communicating with them for a few weeks, we were able to narrow down the search and set-up some visits.

Today's adventure was to the explore the possibilities of Fair Hill.  Fair Hill is known for its equestrian events, such as steeplechase, timber course and flat races, and extensive, unspoiled grounds.  Tough Mudder asked us to recommend sites that had over 400 acres in our area, and with Fair Hill’s 5,000+ acreage, we knew it would be a good fit, never mind swallow the event whole.

OSM Invades Greensboro...for the NASC Symposium

The Office of Sports Marketing recently made the trek down to Greensboro, NC, for the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) Sports Events Symposium.  The event ran from Monday, April 11 through Thursday, April 14. Terry and Ashley kept themselves busy attending education sessions and meeting with multiple rights holders.  They even came back to Maryland with several request for proposals (RFPs) in hand.

OSM had positive meetings with right holders like USA Cycling, U.S. Transplant Games, National Senior Games Association, USA Field Hockey and the Women’s Half Marathon, to name a few.  Meeting with rights holders, like the ones listed, is a key component for bringing in new sporting events to the state and generating economic dollars.

Preakness Preparations on Track at Pimlico

The 136^th Preakness Stakes is a little over a month away, and Pimlico Race Course is getting ready to host the middle jewel in the Triple Crown.  Corporate tents have already begun sprouting up in the infield, and grounds crews have been working to make the infield finish line floral logos stand out by planting beautiful new flowers.  Racing has been underway at the track for nearly a month now, with various stakes races already held.  Over the past few weekends, three stakes races have been held: Shine Again Stakes on April 2, Mister Diz Stakes on April 9 and Primonetta Stakes on April 16.

The first 2-year-old race of the year in Maryland was held at Pimlico this past Friday.  Bluegrass Atatude took the top spot in the first juvenile race of the season. The chestnut filly was racing sixth, eventually pulling ahead and winning by two lengths. By chance, OSM was lucky enough to witness this race live.

Baltimore to Rock the Red in September

The Washington Capitals and the City of Baltimore announced the team will play an exhibition game against the Nashville Predators on September 20, 2011, at the First Mariner Arena. The game, which is being referred to as the Baltimore Hockey Classic, will be the first professional hockey game at the arena since the Baltimore Bandits last took the ice in 1997.

The much anticipated announcement was officially made on Monday by Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young. Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee and First Mariner Arena General Manager Frank Remesch joined Young in making the announcement.

Shades of Maryland Red

Marylanders – especially the Terp variety – consider the vivid crimson on the Crossland quadrant of our state flag the true Maryland red.

Students of historic preservation interpret Maryland red as burnt sienna, like the brick masonry that defines many classic structures throughout the state. (Shout out to Camden Yards here.)

But there are a few other shades of red identified with Maryland sports worth noting now -- because you’re going to be hearing a lot more about them in coming months.

So start with the bright red of the Maryland flag and blend in a bit of the white. (Not too much, or you’ll get Pepto Bismol.) Slightly mellower than red is cerise, a color identified with one of the most famous Maryland athletes of all time.

Actually, we’re contemporaries, born just a few months apart. He, however, retired a millionaire before I entered first grade. And, to my knowledge, he made no effort to cover his gray hair, which only made him more distinguished with age.

(We all should be so lucky.)

Native Dancer lived and worked most of his life in Baltimore County. Although his famous home produced many other illustrious champions, there is none so prolific and influential in current thoroughbred lineage that the Galloping Gray Ghost. In this gene pool, he’s Michael Phelps.

A Spike We Like

It's almost time for East Coast Volleyball's annual Northeast Qualifiers in Baltimore.  Teams that win bids will be going to Junior Nationals run by USA Volleyball.

This competition for girls' club teams in age divisions from 12 to 18 has taken place at the Convention Center for several years, and has always brought a substantial bump in visitors to town.  This year it returns for two big weekends --April 16-18 and 22-24.

These "Qualifiers" also promote inter-regional play and provide a high level of competition for teams at different levels within each age classification.  They showcase junior talent for college recruiters and promote the growth and development of the sport.

The "spike" we like is not just net action but the increase in attendance this year.  In fact, it is the explosion in participation that had Terry scrambling a few weeks ago to find additional venues for the competitions as the event has outgrown the Convention Center.

With Terry's help, organizers were able to secure two satellite sites within easy access to the Convention Center.

Thanks to Visit Baltimore, we can give you an idea of not just the numbers this event will produce, but also the economic impact it is expected to generate with players, coaches, families, friends, officials and (the most important audience of all,) college scouts.

Here's the Score:

Number of attendees:  6,600
Economic Impact: $6.8 million
Best Part:   90% from outside Baltimore


We are happy to share yet another example of the economic impact of youth sports tournaments on the visitor industry.  The good news is that these events continue to grow and Maryland continues to claim more of the market with our excellent facilities and convenient location.  Kudos to Terry, Visit Baltimore, and the Convention Center for their quick set in scoring expansion space to make this the biggest and best East Coast Volleyball Northeast Qualifier yet.

Ready for Sho-time?

Buck wants to know -- are we ready?

Ready??     OF COURSE WE'RE READY !!!!

The Merry Marketeers will be on site beginning at 5:30 AM tomorrow.  We'll be tweeting, blogging, facing, flickering, tubing, elbowing, goosing, and whatever else it takes to capture the spirit of Opening Day at Camden Yards.

It is a going to be a beautiful day, with a dynamic crowd and high energy from the dugout to the upper decks.

Join us tomorrow as we capture it for you.  From the first whiff of Boog's Barbecue to the last toast at Turn Ten, Terry and the Merry Marketeers will be here to remind you, in the immortal words of Thomas Boswell, Why Time Begins on Opening Day.

Premier Product Placement

This sign greets drivers as they approach Turn Ten on Russell Street.  There for years, it  harkens to the days when were real corner service stations.  But as of yesterday, it is something entirely better.  For when the the Baltimore Grand Prix pack zooms by, it becomes the perfect product placement for one of the international event's newest sponsors.

Yes, the Philadelphia-based fuel provider Sunoco will be the official fuel and Pit Lane sponsor,  playing a key role in keeping the racers on track as they travel speeds of up to 180 mph throughout the streets of Baltimore.

Our friendly Ridgely's Delight neighbor has long been a fixture in our lives here at Camden Yards.  The Junquemobile has limped in on fumes or low tires on more than one occasion.  It's a buffer between quiet residential street and a major thoroughfare.

Now, of course, it becomes a focal point in the coverage as cars careen around the corner on the serpentine stretch between Lee and Pratt.

Baltimore Grand Prix has also picked up a few more sponsors with local ties, like Chevy Chase-based GEICO insurance.  By an amazing coincidence the Gecko himself already has a presence close to the course.  He graces this silo overlooking Lot O near M&T Bank Stadium.

There are a number of alcoholic beverages as sponsors.  We don't need to list them here, but you know they will be in attendance at the Turn Ten.  Like us, they've been regulars for years.

The Grand Prix is beginning to feel like an established part of the neighborhood.  Maybe that's because it already is.

Here to Cheer!

On our way to the Warehouse this morning we encountered a chant of cheerleaders flowing from the Holiday Inn to the Convention Center. Just being at the same stoplight with all that energy is like a shot of espresso.

Even though we've written before about the economic impact of this aspect of the sports world, it's worth revisiting because the numbers are so impressive. So pull out your pom poms give a cheer for the 10th Annual "Return to Atlantis"  All-Star Challenge being held this weekend in Baltimore.

First of all, "Return to Atlantis" is a national competition -- final stop before the cheerleading worlds.  The two young ladies above are from New Jersey.

Secondly, "Return to Atlantis" is a three day event.  Competitions start Friday and run through Sunday.  Most cheerios, friends, and family stay two or three nights in downtown hotels.  According to the mom and grandmom in this coterie, that means lots of tours, restaurants and shopping.  ("It makes you want to come back and visit again," said grandmom, bless her.)

"Return to Atlantis" is a team competition.  Teams consist of squads in various ages groups.  This New Jersey team has well over 100 cheerleaders in attendance.

"Return to Atlantis" has more than 30 teams in the competition.  Although challenged in math, even we can figure out there are several thousand cheerleaders, with even more support staff (aka parents and chaperones) plus professional photographers, videographers, make-up artists, costumers, hairdressers and the like who round out these events.

(It takes a veteran stage mother to relate to the entourages and cottage industries that comprise this kind of road show.  Believe the voice of experience -- your wallet never closes.)

So three cheers (and a lot more) for "Return to Atlantis" and all the other competitions that take place around Maryland over the course of the year.  In addition their electrifying energy, they also move a lot of moola.