Participation in team sports in the U.S. has continued to increase, according to the most recent data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
Baseball has been a top driver, with more than 18.2 million Americans ages six and up participating in the sport in 2025, a 5.5 percent increase from the previous year and an increase of 17.7 percent over the last three years.
All that growth has many locations around the country upping their game to welcome events.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Cape Girardeau offers two premier facilities for baseball tournaments and youth events of all ages.
The 131-acre Shawnee Park Sports Complex is a leading tournament destination that includes 13 regulation-size youth fields with lighting. Ten of those fields feature artificial turf infields with natural grass outfields. The complex also has three central concession stands with views of all fields.
Shawnee Park Sports Complex has hosted a number of USSSA tournaments, attracting more than 40 teams.
Capaha Field, which is in Capaha Park, is the home of the Southeast Missouri State University baseball team and the Cape Catfish (a Prospect League team) and features an artificial turf baseball diamond with seating for 2,000.
The adjacent 4,000-square-foot indoor facility includes batting cages, portable mounds and HitTrax technology. Capaha Field hosted the Senior Babe Ruth World Series in both 2023 and 2024, bringing in 18 teams each year.
“After spending time with families at the ballfields, you quickly realize youth baseball is about much more than the game — it’s about creating memories, building community and giving youth an experience they’ll carry with them for a lifetime,” says Visit Cape Manager Brenda Newbern. “It’s a win for our families, a win for our community and a win for our visitors.”
Irmo Chapin, South Carolina
The neighboring areas of Irmo and Chapin are located northwest of Columbia, South Carolina. The main facilities supporting baseball tournaments and events are Melvin Park, Seven Oaks Park and Crooked Creek Park, each with six diamonds for youth play.
The baseball complex at the 71-acre Melvin Park in Chapin features lighted fields, covered dugouts, press box and concessions. There are four regulation-size diamonds and two youth diamonds, along with a guest services pavilion, splash pad and picnic shelters available for parties and social events.
Seven Oaks is one of the Midlands’ premier baseball venues, with lighted fields. The park’s six natural grass baseball diamonds include four youth, one intermediate and one regulation size.
Crooked Creek Park, in the heart of Lake Murray country, has three youth and three intermediate baseball diamonds.
More diamonds are available at other parks maintained by the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC), which locally hosts a number of youth leagues. ICRC frequently books more than 40 baseball events a year at its premier facilities. Among the larger events are the Perfect Game Jay Criscione Super Regional NIT.
Northern Virginia: Fairfax County
Patriot Park North is Fairfax County’s flagship baseball venue. Owned and operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority, the facility opened in April 2023 following more than 20 years of planning and a collective effort between the baseball community, local government and the county park system.
The six-diamond turf/lighted complex includes four adjustable 90-foot fields and two adjustable 60-foot fields. The facility also has batting cages, portable mounds, bullpens, warm-up areas, electronic scoreboards, 360-degree press box and a lookout tower. Concession stands, picnic pavilion, family restrooms, Wi-Fi and other amenities round out the experience for fans and families.
Fairfax County also offers an inventory of satellite baseball fields to support tournament needs, and it can also turn to its SportsNOVA regional sports tourism partners for extra capacity. Visit Fairfax offers complimentary services including hotel room block management, marketing and promotional support, welcome services and more.
“Patriot Park North has been a game-changer for baseball and sports tourism in Fairfax County,” says Eric Kulczycky, National Sales Manager for Visit Fairfax. “When tournament organizers see what we have here, they discover that Fairfax is where they want to bring their events.”
Northern Virginia: Loudoun County
“We have several complexes in Loudoun County that offer baseball fields, including diamonds with dirt infields and portable mounds,” says Torye Hurst of Visit Loudoun.
Among the offerings is the historic Fireman’s Field, with two diamonds, including a venue with seats for 2,000 fans. Home to the Purcellville Cannons Collegiate Summer League team, Fireman’s has hosted the American Legion Mid-Atlantic Regional and the Babe Ruth 13-15s World Series.
At Claude Moore Park Sportsplex, there are two 300-foot baseball fields and five 200-foot diamonds. The two-story central building has a concession stand, restrooms and meeting space, as well as more than 500 parking spaces.
When not on the diamond, participants can enjoy the adjacent Recreation Center which includes pools, hot tub spa, a 10,000-square-foot gymnasium and a rock-climbing wall. The 357-acre park also has 11 miles of hiking trails.
Among the many venues offering baseball facilities are Philip Bolen Memorial Park with nine baseball/softball diamonds, including two high-school-sized fields, four fields with 300-foot fences and three at 200 feet. The 47-acre Potomack Lakes Sportsplex has four fields at 300 feet. And the Brambleton Sportsplex includes four 400-foot fields and two 200-foot fields.
Visit Loudoun has an annual Sports Tournament Reimbursement Grant program which assist rights holders with expenses. Off the field, there are many attractions in Loudoun County, including more than 40 wineries and 30 craft breweries.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City offers 27 dedicated baseball fields, including Fitzgerald Stadium, with 2,500 seats, McKeague Field, with 1,000 seats and Pete Lein Stadium, with 1,500 seats; the three venues are in close proximity and share a parking lot.
Each of the three can add additional portable seating for larger events. Both Fitzgerald and Pete Lien stadiums have adjacent indoor batting facilities. In June, 80 teams will come to town for the third edition of the Rushmore Shootout.
The Sports Commission also helps event organizers with marketing, visitor information, discounts to restaurants and businesses and volunteer assistance. The team can assist with venue selection, attendance promotion, ambassador programs and on-the-ground logistics.
Off the field, athletes and families can take in the tourist attractions in the region including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument and Custer State Park.
“Rapid City is a baseball community, from the longstanding tradition of our legendary Legion program Post 22 and the tournaments they host, to our newest tournament, Rushmore Shootout, we provide great facilities and plenty for visiting teams to do when they aren’t playing,” says Sports Commission Executive Director Domico Rodriguez.
Saraland, Alabama
The Land at Saraland Sports & Recreation Complex features eight turf fields for both baseball and softball events. Seven fields are set at 225 feet, and one field has the capability to convert to a 60/90 layout at 350 feet. Temporary fencing can be installed to create eight uniform 225-foot fields.
Each field includes bleacher seating on both home and visitor sides and dedicated space for team tents. Fields also have a livestream camera system through HiCast Sports Network. The venue has hosted up to 64 teams.
“What truly sets The Land apart is our team,” says Gabby Rocha, Marketing Manager for The Land Saraland Sports & Recreation Complex. “Our staff has a genuine passion to serve and accommodate every guest.”
At events hosted at The Land, the experience at The Land, the experience extends beyond the fields, adds Rocha.The Land features a full-scale indoor facility, including a rock-climbing wall, fitness center with full gym, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, tennis, beach volleyball and more. There are also party rooms and multi-purpose rooms.
Starkville, Mississippi
The two main facilities for baseball tournaments and events in Starkville are the Cornerstone Sports Complex and the Starkville Sportsplex. Cornerstone, completed less than three years ago, spans 125 acres with 12 lighted baseball/softball diamonds arranged in three quads, including 10 fields at 225 and two at 250 feet.
The park, nestled in the woods of West Starkville, serves as the home venue for Starkville Parks and Recreation youth leagues and will host as many as 40 youth tournaments annually.
Cornerstone also has batting cages, warm-up areas, restrooms, concessions, two tee-ball fields and spectator seating at each field. The complex is set up for livestreaming of games, too.
Off the diamond, there’s a playground and other flex and lawn spaces, a 1.3-mile scenic walking trail and parking for 700 cars.
The Starkville Sportsplex offers eight baseball/softball diamonds, restrooms, concessions, a recreational pavilion and a walking trail. In early summer, Starkville hosts Dizzy Dean tournaments; last year, the event brought in 50 teams over four days with an average of 1,500 visitors a day.
“Working with partners like Grand Slam Baseball, USA Softball and a wide range of tournament organizers has helped establish Starkville as a reliable destination for events,” says Greg Owen, General Manager of Starkville Parks & Recreation.
Starkville Parks & Recreation stands ready to welcome events and to keep them coming back.
“Just as importantly, we continue to invest in our recreational league programs, serving our local community and creating opportunities for our athletes and families. We also make a point to welcome visiting teams with curated bags that highlight local businesses, helping connect them to everything Starkville has to offer. We take pride in creating an environment where visitors feel genuinely welcomed and our community feels proudly represented.”
Surrey, British Columbia
In British Columbia, the City of Surrey features more than 20 parks with 40-plus baseball/softball diamonds that support strong community and tournament play, in a mix of high-capacity tournament parks and neighborhoods.
One of the flagship baseball hubs is Cloverdale Ball Park, with six diamonds and plenty of open space and spectator areas. Unwin Park offers one of the largest baseball diamond clusters in the city, with eight fields — ideal for multi-field tournaments and festivals.
In the downtown area, Whalley Athletic Park has seven diamonds and indoor batting cages. Whalley is a central hub for youth development.
For softball, Softball City has four championship diamonds with 300-foot fencing. The site also includes a 425-seat indoor/outdoor restaurant, pro shop and children’s play area.
“We have the ability to host multi-site tournaments simultaneously due to our park clustering,” says Nicholas Blaga with Sport Surrey. “Our continued capital investment in venue upgrades, along with our high-capacity tournament venues — with access to parking, transit corridors and accommodations — are key strengths for hosting events here in Surrey.”
Tucson, Arizona
Kino Sports Complex in Tucson has been the home of MLB Spring Training in the past and has a stadium field with another seven full-size diamonds and two partial fields.
The facility offers clubhouses, locker rooms, a cafeteria, medical training facilities, batting cages and practice pitching facilities.
The stadium has seating for 8,500 plus an additional 3,000 in the outfield lawn area. The additional fields offer bleacher seating for roughly 100 spectators at each field. Concession stands and food trucks are available, along with merchandise storefronts.
Hi Corbett Field in Reid Park has been home to MLB Spring Training and offers clubhouses, locker rooms, medical training facilities, batting cages and practice pitching facilities. In addition to the stadium diamond, which seats 9,500, there are five full-size fields at the complex, with concessions stands and merchandise storefronts also available. Hi Corbett is also the home of the University of Arizona baseball team.
“Tucson has a rich baseball history, serving as a pioneer for Arizona spring training with the first MLB game in the state in 1946,” says Nick Pazzi, Sports Director for Visit Tucson. “We are fortunate to have two MLB Spring Training level facilities in our community and work closely with those facilities to bring collegiate, amateur and professional baseball events to town. We work directly with the rights holders and event organizers to match our facilities to their needs.” SDM
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