Are you a big baseball fan? Then you know there’s nothing like sitting in the stands, relishing a hot dog or two while gearing up to cheer on your favorite team. Maybe you're not stationed near your favorite team while stationed at Fort Meade NSA, but don't worry, there's plenty of action on the diamonds north and south of the base.
True baseball fans will be thrilled to find professional and minor league baseball just minutes from the cities surrounding Fort Meade. The Baltimore Orioles play to the north in Oriole Park at Camden Yards, a.k.a. Birdland, and their AA affiliate team, the Chesapeake Baysox, play their home games in Bowie, Maryland, at Prince George's Stadium.
Cities popular with military families, like Columbia, Bowie, Odenton, and Hanover, are short distances to the stadiums, and some have public transportation to avoid parking and traffic.
The Baltimore Orioles
When the Orioles' home opener is just weeks away, the stadium is abuzz with preparations, especially on Eutaw Street. A crowd favorite, Eutaw Street is a gathering area between the Warehouse and the stadium. It's a huge draw for fans to hang out, eat, and get ready for the game. Eutaw Street is open to the public but closes to non-ticket holders before the start time on game days.
Inside, fans are free to roam, including the bleachers, to find coveted batting practice balls. Games and concession stands pass the time quickly before the first pitch is thrown. Baseball historians will love Legends Park, which features "six larger-than-life bronze sculptures of the greatest Orioles of all time," including Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Earl Weaver, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, and Cal Ripken, Jr.
Orioles' Military Guests
The team operates the Orioles' Military and First Responder Program, which offers military families various opportunities throughout the year, including discounts and celebrations. Service members should also contact Fort Meade's USO and MWR office to be notified when free tickets and military appreciation events are scheduled.
First-time visitors to the park are treated to a certificate commemorating their visit to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. And, if the kids are fans too, take advantage of the Kids' Corner, which has games and activities like a moon bounce, jungle gym, and skee-ball. Kid-friendly food and drinks are available. Don't forget the Kids Run the Bases program. After each Sunday home game, kids ages 4-14 can run the bases like their baseball heroes.
Transportation to Camden Yards
Camden Yards is about 18 miles from Fort Meade, but driving time in traffic could be well over an hour, depending on the day and current traffic. Many fans choose to take public transportation into the stadium, avoiding parking fees and gridlock on the interstates.
The Maryland Transit Administration conducts daily light rail, bus, MARC train, and subway service to Camden Yards. Convenient stops near Fort Meade include Odenton and the Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
Need more ideas for summer activities? Take a look at The Best Beaches Near Military Towns for suggestions near Fort Meade.
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Chesapeake Baysox Military Discounts and Events
If you travel another 18 miles south of Fort Meade, baseball fans will enjoy the Boys of Summer Chesapeake Baysox style. The AA team has plenty of home games and is a much more affordable experience for those who enjoy predicting which player will move up to Camden Yards and go to the big leagues.
The Baysox offer the quintessential minor league game experience: casual and fun, without big money pretension. Families get to mingle with players, ask for autographs, and have a great time dancing to between-inning crowd-pleaser songs. If you live in the area, don't be surprised if your school-aged kids head to the Baysox ballpark for a school field trip. Schools in the area often sign up for behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium.
Sign up for event alerts. You don’t want to miss any military appreciation events, like Navy Night game, when Naval Academy students join the crowd to ooh and ahh over fireworks. Speaking of college, if you prefer the college baseball experience, don't forget the U.S. Naval Academy is a short drive away in Annapolis, and there are several colleges in the area with thriving teams, including the University of Maryland and Towson University.
Fort Meade families have two excellent baseball choices: the Orioles and Baysox. They have something for every type of fan, from those who are just learning the game to wanna-be pros who missed joining the big leagues by "this much."
Are you headed to Fort Meade NSA this PCS season? If so, you should definitely get our free guide below: Military Family Guide to Washington, DC. It's full of tips and tricks to make the move simpler and less intimidating.
