Event will be first ‘homegrown’ event of Sports & Entertainment Authority
The inaugural Henrico Baseball Classic – the first “homegrown” event of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority – will showcase dozens of youth travel and recreation league teams in tournament play throughout Memorial Day weekend.
The tournament is being created with Glen Allen-based Premier Sporting Events of Virginia and will feature competition in the 8-and-under through 14-and-under age divisions. Games will be scheduled Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29 at RF&P, Tuckahoe and Dorey parks. Registration is open to independent travel teams as well as those from recreation leagues in and outside Henrico. Nearly 50 teams have signed up, so far.
“We are excited to partner with Premier Sporting Events of Virginia to present the Henrico Baseball Classic,” said Dennis Bickmeier, executive director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority. “It’s our first homegrown, signature event – one that will showcase many of our outstanding travel and association teams and bring their players, coaches and families together as one baseball community.”
“The Henrico Baseball Classic will continue to position Henrico as a destination for sports tourism, showcase the significant commitment the county is making in youth baseball and softball facilities, and provide an opportunity for young athletes to play what we believe is the greatest game on Earth,” said Brian Harris, managing director of Premier Sporting Events of Virginia.
The Board of Supervisors in September established the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority to enhance sports tourism and manage facilities, including an indoor sports and events center that is under construction at Virginia Center Commons. The authority has identified creating “homegrown” sporting events as one of its guiding pillars.
The Henrico Baseball Classic is being launched as the county continues to invest in fields. Last May, Henrico completed more than $3 million in field renovations to create a premier baseball stadium at Dorey with a host of amenities, including sunken dugouts, covered bleacher seating, a digital scoreboard and LED field lighting. The Sports & Entertainment Authority and the Division of Recreation & Parks also are working to develop an additional six-field baseball complex at Glover Park.
“As we develop new facilities, it’s imperative that we maintain a pipeline of players,” Bickmeier said. “What better way to do that than to create our own events to highlight the athletes and youth associations in our county?” To register a team or to learn more about the Henrico Baseball Classic, go to premiersportsva.com.
