Myrtle Beach: A Baseball Town

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Going to the beach is the easy choice when planning a summer vacation.  But, not everybody wants to lay out in the sun all day.  Some, like ourselves, get easily bored at beach destinations that have little else to offer.  Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is not one of those places.  This is a low-key sports destination with a minor league baseball team and many amateur events throughout the year.

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More than anything, Myrtle Beach is a baseball town, represented by some of the finest organizations at the professional, collegiate and youth levels.  At the top of this hierarchy, are the Myrtle Beach Pelicans games.  You’re missing out if you don’t get a game in when you visit Myrtle Beach.  We even recommend checking their schedule before you plan your trip to make sure they’re playing at home. The Pelicans are the single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and currently roster the Cubs top prospect, Miguel Amaya. So, if you’re thinking you won’t see top notch baseball here, you are mistaken. On top of it being a good time, it’s affordable, convenient and has great food.  This is small town American baseball at its finest.

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Just 10 miles up the road, in Conway, is Coastal Carolina University, which boasts the 2016 NCAA baseball national champion Chanticleers.  Their current season is over but come next year you can catch some elite college baseball at Springs Brooks Stadium from February to June.

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What could be considered the finest youth baseball facility in the country is also in Myrtle Beach, at the Ripken Experience.  The complex hosts tournaments and training camps year-round on nine replica MLB historic fields.  If you have a child in youth baseball or softball, playing here is a dream for the both of you. They may even get to meet and learn from some former baseball stars this summer, beginning with Cal Ripken Jr. himself.  The remaining schedule of visitors is as follows –

 June 30 – Andre Dawson

July 7 – Michael Cuddyer

July 14 – Fergie Jenkins

July 21 – Mike Sweeney

July 28 – Ozzie Smith

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In addition to the Ripken Experience, the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex is another top-notch facility that hosts youth baseball and softball tournaments all year long.  The multi-sport complex also has 8 soccer fields, a 3-acre dog park and a 25-acre lake with a wake park, making it a giant playground for outdoor enthusiasts.  The calendar stays full here with non-sports events too, including concerts and festivals.

Myrtle Beach is an easy-going, affordable and family-friendly beach town, but next time you go, check out the sports calendar and find something to get you out for a game to watch… or play.