MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

SPORTS

[photo, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland]

Baseball

Basketball

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland, July 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Maryland area is home to several professional sports teams, large sporting facilities, and more than a dozen nationally competitive college-level sports teams.

Perhaps best known for the Terps (Terrapins) basketball team, the University of Maryland athletics program organizes many sporting teams. At College Park, the University operates Byrd Stadium (48,000-person capacity) and Comcast Center, a 17,000 seat basketball facility opened in Fall 2002.

Sport enthusiasts use local paths, such as the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park, to hike, jog, cycle, and rollerblade. The "B & A" Trail is a 13.3 mile long path in Anne Arundel County running from Glen Burnie in the North to the north shore of the Severn River in Annapolis. It is a section of the East Coast Greenway that stretches 2,600 miles from Key West, Florida, to Calais, Maine.

Certain sports stadiums and other large facilities in the State are the concern of the Maryland Stadium Authority.

BASEBALL

[photo, Three generations of Orioles fans, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland]

The Baltimore Orioles baseball team is part of the American League (East Division). The team plays in Oriole Park at Camden Yards, one of the nation's first retro-styled stadiums built to recall early baseball parks. Located in downtown Baltimore, the Stadium opened in 1992. It seats 48,262 people. Adjoining buildings include the Orioles' offices, shops, and restaurants.

On April 4, 2005, the Orioles opened their 13th season in Oriole Park, their 51st season in Baltimore.

Three generations of Orioles fans, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland, July 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Bowie Baysox

The Delmarva Shorebirds debuted in the South Atlantic League of Class A minor league baseball in 1996. A Baltimore Orioles affiliate, the team plays at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In 2000, the Shorebirds won the South Atlantic League Championships.

The Frederick Keys team was established in 1989. It is the Carolina League Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and plays in Frederick at Harry Grove Stadium, which opened in 1990.

The Hagerstown Suns have been part of the South Atlantic League since 1993. They play in Hagerstown at Municipal Stadium, built in 1931. The Suns became a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants in 2001.

[Diamondback Terrapin mascot, University of Maryland]

BASKETBALL

On March 14, 2004, the University of Maryland, College Park, beat Duke University to win the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) men's basketball tournament. In 2004, the Terps made their 11th straight trip to the Division I basketball tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

In March 2004, the women's basketball team of the University of Maryland, College Park, advanced to the women's basketball tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Although they lost in second round action, it was the eighteenth postseason tournament appearance for the Lady Terps (their 13th trip to the NCAA tournament since it was established in 1982).

The University of Maryland, College Park, won the national championship in the men's Division I basketball tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on April 1, 2002, beating Indiana University at Atlanta, Georgia.

Fear the Turtle. Diamondback Terrapin mascot, University of Maryland, College Park.

CYCLING

Bicycle riding in Maryland was publicized in 1989 when the first Cycle Across Maryland was ridden. The event is held annually in June. This year, also began the Tour du Port, raced in Baltimore on October 16, 2005.

Interest in cycling is maintained by local groups, such as the Baltimore Bicycling Club. Trail systems for bikes are promoted by the Department of Natural Resources.

FOOTBALL

The Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League debuted in the 1996 season at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. In 1998, a 69,300-seat stadium was completed to host the team. Ravens Stadium is part of Baltimore's Camden Yards sports complex. In January 2001, the Ravens won the Super Bowl championship.

The Baltimore Burn debuted in April 2001 with nine other teams in the National Women's Football League. The Burn plays at the Community College of Baltimore County (Dundalk Campus).

The Washington Redskins National Football League team plays at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Stadium opened in 1997 and seats 80,116 people.

Minor league semi-professional football teams also compete in Maryland. The Arbutus Big Red Football Team, for example, is sponsored by the Arbutus Athletic Association, and competes in the Mason-Dixon Football League.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

University of Maryland, College Park

Gator Bowl

Navy football is played at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Opened in 1959, the Stadium seats 30,000. It is home to the midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy athletics department.

GOLF

With over 190 courses, golf is a popular sport in Maryland. The quality of Maryland golf courses has attracted several professional events, as well as amateur championships. Since 1987, the Tournament Players Club at Avenel in Potomac (Montgomery County) has hosted the Booz Allen Classic (formerly the Kemper Insurance Open), a regular stop on the PGA Tour. The last Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Championship was held in Havre de Grace (Harford County) at the Bulle Rock Golf Club from June 9 through 12, 2005.

[photo, Horse farm, Davidsonville, Maryland]

HORSE RACING

Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore hosts the Preakness Stakes (one of three thoroughbred horse races in the world famous Triple Crown). Each year, the race is held on the third Saturday in May. In addition, throughout the year, thoroughbred races are held at Laurel Park in Prince George's County, and Timonium Race Course in Baltimore County. Harness racing takes place at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Prince George's County; and Ocean Downs in Berlin, Worcester County. The many horse farms, particularly in the central part of the State, combined with these events contribute to Maryland's reputation as "horse country."

Horse farm, Davidsonville, Maryland, August 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

RUNNING

Throughout the year, running events center at various locales throughout Maryland. Maryland Running provides information on running clubs, events, and races.

In Baltimore, the Baltimore Marathon, also known as the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival, will be held next on October 14, 2006. The 26.2-mile race features some $100,000 in prizes. The Baltimore Road Runners Club sponsors running and walking events year round.

From the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis and other sites, the Annapolis Striders sponsor marathons and other events, including the Annapolis 10-mile Run to be held August 27, 2006. The Annual Governor's Bay Bridge Run (10k) crosses the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from the Eastern Shore to Sandy Point State Park on the Western Shore each May (last held May 7, 2006).

[photo, Sailboat on Severn River, Annapolis, Maryland]

SAILING

In the Chesapeake Bay area, boating is a favorite pastime. Annapolis is known as America's Sailing Capital. Each October, Annapolis hosts the United States Sailboat Show, and United States Powerboat Show. They are the two oldest and largest shows of their kind in the nation.

Sailboat on Severn River, Annapolis, Maryland, April 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Sailboats at Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland]

The Annual Governor's Cup Yacht Race is a 70-mile long overnight race down Chesapeake Bay, up the Potomac River to the St. Mary's River in southern Maryland. It next will start on August 4, 2006, from Annapolis and conclude at St. Mary's City.

Sailboats at Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland, August 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

SKIING

Downhill skiing is a popular sport in the Appalachian Mountains of Garrett County in Western Maryland. Cross country skiing and snowmobiling are available throughout the winter at Maryland's forests and parks.

SOCCER

The Baltimore Blast (indoor soccer) joined the National Professional Soccer League (American Conference), as the Baltimore Spirit in 1992 but changed names in 1998 with new ownership. Now part of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), the Blast plays at the Baltimore Arena, which can seat up to 14,000 patrons.