Most kids in the U.S. grow up playing team sports, and in the five years since the pandemic, the percentage of the U.S. population participating on sports teams has risen from 22.1 percent to 27.8 percent, well ahead of levels even 10 years ago.
Baseball, of course (and its close relation, softball), is a perfect example of the rise in team sports participation in the U.S. The most recent research from the Physical Activity Council puts U.S. participation for baseball in 2024 at 17.3 million players ages 6 and up, an increase of 3.8 percent from the year before, continuing a five-year increase of 9.4 percent, which puts it squarely ahead of pre-pandemic levels.
With all the choices youth and adults have for recreation, it’s exciting to see participation in one of America’s oldest sports continue to climb, with many locations around the country experiencing increased baseball play.
Aurora, Illinois
In the Aurora region, the main facility for youth and amateur baseball and softball is Stuart Sports Complex in Montgomery, Illinois, with eight diamonds (seven with lights) arranged in two quads. There are grass and clay infields and most diamonds have base path dimensions that can be changed to suit the players. Each quad has spectator seating, permanent restrooms and concessions. For players, families and fans, the complex has a 15-acre dog park, playground with splash pad, walking trails, parking for 1,300 vehicles and more.
In nearby Geneva, the Northwestern Medicine Field is home to the Kane County Cougars of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an MLB partner league, and is available throughout the year for rentals.
“The Aurora Area CVB can help event owners in many ways, including offering group discounts to attractions, helping with marketing and promotions and connecting with volunteer organizations,” says James Cardis, director of marketing for the CVB.
Off the field, there is a lot for athletes and their families to do, including visiting Raging Waves Waterpark, the largest waterpark in the state; the Blackberry Farm Living History Museum; Chicago Premium Outlets, the largest outdoor outlet shopping center in Chicagoland; Red Oak Nature Center and other attractions.
Columbia, South Carolina
“Our community has a passion for baseball,” says Scott Powers, executive director of Experience Columbia SC Sports. “From tee-ball through Minor League Baseball, our region has few equals when it comes to the sheer number of games being played, and Lexington County continues to lead the way.”
A premier facility is the Lexington Sports Complex, with nine diamonds suitable for youth through college play, with lights, locker rooms, press boxes and other amenities. But there are many other venues available, including the Pine Grove Sports Complex with five lighted diamonds for youth play, and the Oak Grove Sports Complex, which has four lighted fields, as does the Howard Park Sports Complex. Both the Midland Sports Complex and the Gilbert Sports Complex each offer six lighted diamonds. For showcase games, the Lexington Baseball Stadium can seat 3,000 fans.
In recent years, the area has seen USSSA baseball events that have brought more than 200 teams each. This year, the Perfect Game Super NIT will bring 200 youth teams, as will the Perfect Game Jay Criscione Super NIT.
Experience Columbia SC Sports can help event owners with site visits, securing venues and hotel blocks, event promotion and marketing (including press releases, social media and a co-op advertising program), rights fees and other services.
Lake Charles, Louisiana
“The Lake Charles area boasts some of the best baseball facilities in the state for all ages,” says Eric Zartler, senior vice president of sports for Visit Lake Charles. “We feature 25 youth fields all with infield turf, eight turf high school fields and one all-turf college field. Our youth facilities each seat up to 500, our high school facilities vary from 500 to 3,500, and the college facility at McNeese State University seats 2,500.”
This May will mark the 14th year the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Baseball State Championships will be played at McMurry Park in Sulphur, which features nine lighted youth fields, a two-tunnel batting cage, five concession stands and other tournament-friendly amenities. The event brings in 40 teams and more than 20,000 spectators.
Perfect Game 12U World Series calls Lake Charles home, as more than 100 youth baseball teams head to this event every year. The area also has been a popular summer spot for high school showcase and development events.
When not competing, athletes and visitors can enjoy the Creole Nature Trial/All American Road, exploring Louisiana’s Outback. Lake Charles also boasts a new Children’s Museum and a soon-to-be-opened Mardi Gras Museum. “We also help event owners in many ways, from assistance in booking facilities and hotels to grant opportunities,” adds Zartler.
Laredo, Texas
Laredo offers top-tier baseball facilities for players of all ages, including the new Buena Vista Sports Complex, which recently opened 10 baseball diamonds as part of Phase One construction. More fields are offered at the versatile UISD (United Independent School District) Student Activity Complex, which has seating for nearly 600 fans. Laredo College also offers baseball fields for college-level competition and other events.
The well-maintained Haynes Baseball field, featuring a 500-seat capacity along with various player amenities, is home to Texas A&M International University’s baseball team. Additionally, the professional-quality Uni-Trade Stadium has dugouts, many amenities and seats for 6,000. Venues in Laredo also offer bullpens, shaded seating concessions, restrooms, VIP areas, locker rooms, press boxes and more.
Laredo has hosted a number of high-profile baseball events, including the Border Olympics High School Tournament, featuring 33 teams, and Pony Super Regional & World Series events, bringing in top teams, including international participants. Upcoming events will see about 60 teams from around the country for the Pony Super Regional in July.
“We work closely with event organizers to provide a seamless experience,” says Fidel E. Hale IV of the Laredo CVB. “Laredo’s baseball community has built a strong, well-structured network of city officials, tournament directors, coaches and parents, all working together to ensure the continued success and growth of baseball in Laredo.”
Lincoln, Nebraska
When it comes to baseball, Lincoln has a lot to offer, including eight lighted diamonds at the Sandhill Global Event Center, with concessions, restrooms, parking for 700 vehicles and seating for 1,000. The Optimist Youth Sports Complex offers six fields, with restrooms, concessions and other amenities. And Densmore Park has four baseball/softball fields, with lights, concessions and restrooms. In addition, seven lighted diamonds are at the Doris Bair Softball Complex, which has seating for 1,400.
For showcase events, there’s the Haymarket Park sports complex in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket area, with its 8,500-seat capacity. Also available is Sherman Field, with covered seating for 750 fans, and Den Hartog Field.
The various venues host events at all levels, including NAIA Baseball, NSAA State Championships, Triple Crown Slump Buster tournaments and youth events. In June, Lincoln will host the West Coast Premier Midwest Classic for 9U to 16U at Sandhills and other turf venues. Visit Lincoln can help event owners find facilities, and can help with hotel blocks, welcome bags, registration and other services; additionally, Visit Lincoln may be able to provide financial assistance.
“We have big-city amenities with the small-town feel that helps give a personal touch to each event we host,” says Visit Lincoln Director of Sports Derek Bombeck.
Memphis, Tennessee
“Baseball is a vital part of the sports landscape in Memphis, Shelby County, Southaven and the greater Mid-South community,” says JJ Greer, director of sports & events for the Memphis Sports Council. “These events bring families from across the country to our region, driving economic impact and showcasing our world-class facilities.”
Among those venues are the USA Baseball Stadium, with nine fields (seven with lights) including a 5,000-seat stadium. The complex has all-turf fields, which minimize the potential for rain delays. Memphis also has Snowden Grove Park, which has 17 diamonds that are all lighted and with turf infields. There’s also the 10,000-seat AutoZone Park, home to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds (affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) and one of the finest ballparks in the minor leagues.
The baseball venues in Memphis host a myriad of youth and high school events, often with more than 150 teams. In June and July, a number of college exposure events will take place. Memphis Travel can help with hotel sourcing, volunteers, marketing, site visits and more. And Memphis is loaded with things to do, offering a mix of sports, history and entertainment.
“We take pride in our strong partnerships with event operators, working hand-in-hand to ensure their tournaments are highly successful,” adds Greer. “Together, we are making Memphis and the Mid-South a premier destination for youth baseball.”
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile has a rich baseball history. “The Port City is the birthplace of five Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famers, Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey, Ozzie Smith and Billy Williams, and youth baseball has been entrenched in our area for almost 100 years,” says Danny Corte, executive director of the Mobile Sports Authority.
With that long history comes facilities that help develop young baseball enthusiasts, including the West Mobile County Park, with eight youth diamonds (in two quads) and amenities that include lights, seating for 500 fans, concessions, restrooms and a playground. All fields have skinned infields and 225-foot fences.
New this year is The Land Sports & Recreation Complex in Saraland, with eight diamonds, all with skinned infields, lights and artificial turf outfields at fence lengths from 180 to 310 feet. There’s seating for 500, concessions, restrooms, a playground and walking trails on the 100-acre property, which has an indoor sports building with meeting rooms.
Six all-grass youth baseball fields are at Westside Park, with fence lengths from 180 to 310 feet, along with seating, concessions, restrooms and a playground. And Semmes Community Park features four all-grass diamonds, with fences from 135 to 350 feet, seating for about 800 fans, concessions and restrooms.
“The Mobile Sports Authority works closely with various groups to bring state, regional and national tournaments here,” Corte says. “We help tournament directors with the logistics needed to run a successful event. And we enthusiastically welcome our visitors to town!”
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
From June 20 to July 3, 9U to 16U youth baseball teams from around the country will converge on Myrtle Beach for the Youth Baseball Nationals. Most of the play will be at the Colonel Thomas “Buddy” Styers Athletic Complex at Grand Park, which features seven large diamonds and two youth fields, all with recently updated synthetic grass and lights.
Overflow games for the Youth Nationals will be at the Ned Donkle Field Complex, which has two adult and five youth natural-grass diamonds.
The Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach features nine lighted diamonds that are replicas of historic Major League ballparks, each featuring unique dimensions and a synthetic playing surface.
In North Myrtle Beach, the Park & Sports Complex offers six lighted baseball/softball fields with lots of amenities. The facility is undergoing an expansion expected to be completed by spring 2026 that will add six baseball/softball fields. Eight Oaks Park in Georgetown has four 200-foot fields and two 300-foot fields, all lighted. Coastal Carolina University in Conway has the 2,500-seat Spring Brooks Stadium, one of the finest in collegiate baseball.
“With our annual event partners, including Triple Crown Sports celebrating their 25th summer in Myrtle Beach, to the Ripken Experience and their spring training and summer weeklong series, baseball remains our No. 1 youth sport by participation,” says Jonathan Paris, executive director Sports Tourism, Visit Myrtle Beach. “We remain well-positioned to continue to grow and serve the regional and national baseball industry.” SDM
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