Spring and summer tend to be tournament time on the Grand Strand, as young athletes and their families flock to the Myrtle Beach area to enjoy its famed sun, surf and sand during breaks between competition in tournaments created to crown champions in baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, lacrosse and more. While all of the Myrtle Beach area’s family-friendly attractions are big draws for those considering the Grand Strand for the athletic tournaments they’re staging (and are a definite plus for those attending), the area’s amazing athletic facilities might be the top reason for its popularity among tournament organizers. Consider these diverse options the area boasts for those looking to hold their tournament here:
The Ripken Experience: Named for the Ripken family of Baltimore Orioles fame, the state-of-the-art baseball complex at The Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach offers nine fields created to replicate some of the big leagues’ most iconic stadiums — including historic gems like Manhattan’s the Polo Grounds, Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field and Chicago’s Westside Grounds. Multiple batting cages, bullpens and training facilities add to the tournament allure, as does easy proximity to the shopping, dining and entertainment options found at nearby Broadway at the Beach and Coastal Grand Mall.
North Myrtle Beach Park & Sport Complex: With a range of event facilities equipped to host activities such as baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, flag football — and even quidditch, the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex boasts four regulation youth baseball/collegiate softball fields, a pair of regulation high school/collegiate baseball fields (that can be transformed as needed into regulation youth baseball and collegiate softball fields), eight regulation soccer/lacrosse fields and eight batting tunnels. Additional amenities include umpire/official rooms, concession areas, picnic shelters, playgrounds, walking/biking trails and more.
Grand Park at The Market Common: Known as one of the nation’s top youth baseball complexes, Grand Park features a whopping 11 baseball fields, nine of which offer fully synthetic turf surfaces for a big-league feel and optimal drainage to minimize rainouts. Other perks here include covered seating, turf batting cages, concessions within easy reach of the fields/stands and, of course, easy access to (within walking distance of, even) the long list of shopping/dining/entertainment options found at The Market Common.
Myrtle Beach Sports Center: This state-of-the-art, 100,000-square-foot facility caters to indoor sports like basketball, volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, cheerleading, handball and more. The Myrtle Beach Sports Center features eight basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts spread over 70,000-plus square feet of column-free hardwood space. For added convenience and functionality, the facility also boasts seven team rooms, telescopic bleachers, a private mezzanine for elevated viewing and even a café with indoor/outdoor seating.
With so many amazing athletic facilities on the Grand Strand, it’s no wonder that the Myrtle Beach area is such a hot spot for tournaments of all kinds. And guests at Long Bay Resort can combine easy access to any of the venues with a great oceanfront lodging location, a wide range of accommodation types and a long list of amenities. Book your Myrtle Beach getaway today, and get ready to conquer the top attractions on the Grand Strand and the competition during your next Myrtle Beach area tournament