Sports at the Beach to host 40,000 this season

There aren’t many things more American than baseball. Here in the Cape Region community, as across the country, spring weather means kids are warming up for their turn at bat.

In recent history, a new type of youth baseball has gained popularity. The next generation of Little League travel teams drive (and occasionally fly) near and far to play ball against other kids in their age group. Just down the road on Route 9, the vast Sports at the Beach complex hosts these teams.

“It came about from taking my kids to Cooperstown,” explained owner Pete Townsend, referring to the popular Cooperstown Dream Park for youth baseball in New York. “I wanted to duplicate what they have there, but for softball. Baseball just kind of overtook, and we went with what we have today.”

What they have today are 16 baseball fields, 30 batting cages, dorms capable of housing 24 teams, a swimming pool, two playgrounds, a jumping pillow and a bounce house, fishing ponds, a dog park, a gift shop, concessions by SoDel Concepts, basketball courts, a walking course, and party pavilions. This year, Sports at the Beach will host 2,000 teams, which equals about 25,000 kids. More than 40,000 guests will come through their gates.

From March to November, Sports at the Beach hosts weekend baseball tournaments in which teams are separated by age. Those teams compete against up to 20 others for the weekend’s titles and trophies, first in pool play, then in single-elimination play on Sunday. Each tournament costs $800 to $900 per team.

“The complex is really nice and the people are friendly. The location is nice; I like Rehoboth Beach. And I like the planes flying overhead, that’s neat!” said Todd Jenkins, referring to the planes landing and taking off at the adjacent Sussex County Airport. Jenkins, whose son was playing with the South Jersey Elite 10u team, stayed at Brighton Suites in Rehoboth.

While most of the teams come from New England states, Sports at the Beach has hosted teams from all over the United States and Canada, as well as the globe. Teams from Puerto Rico, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia have all come to the complex to play baseball.

But whether you’re a player, coach, family member, or just a member of the general public, there’s something for everyone at Sports at the Beach. The dog park and playground are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and there is no charge for visitors during the week. During tournaments, anyone can pay the $7 entrance fee and enjoy all of the park’s amenities, including the pool. Soon, Sports at the Beach will offer seasonal memberships for the pool, which will be open seven days a week. Of course, the entry fee includes a day’s worth of competitive youth baseball games. In addition, the complex hosts a variety of other events, usually during tournaments, including craft, boat, and car shows.

All Hallows Farm, located in the easternmost part of the complex, is home to a playground, the jumping pad, and the dog park. In recent years, it has gained a reputation as an exciting haunt during the fall season, when a haunted hayride takes place. The scary event has become so successful, Sports at the Beach is planning a “fear fun campout” this fall, a fun yet intense overnight experience for adults.

Townsend is one of four current owners, including Nick Delcampo, Patty Derrick and Mark Davidson. Sports at the Beach employs about 250 people, including Director of Operations Bobbi Brooks, Mike Milliken in charge of grounds, Jean Johnson in charge of hospitality, and Adam Pettingell in charge of advertising. Advertising is something Sports at the Beach does plenty of, and with an audience of 40,000, it’s not a bad investment. Businesses can advertise throughout the park, on the website sportsatthebeach.com, or sponsor a tournament. The complex itself is named Applied Bank Park.

It’s not just Sports at the Beach that benefits from Sports at the Beach. Economic impact reports estimate that the facility contributes somewhere between $40 and $50 million to the state economy. Visiting teams stay in hotels and rental homes, eat at area restaurants, shop at the outlets and other locals shops, and visit other local attractions when they aren’t playing ball. Often, families will form vacations to the area around the weekend tournaments.

Go to www.sportsatthebeach.com for more information as well as live video feed of every game Sports at the Beach hosts.