Home Run For Atlantic City: The Sports At The Beach Model At Bader Field

For years locals have discussed what Atlantic City should do with Bader Field.

Heck, I have even written an article offering ideas for what the city could do with the waterfront plot of land that is a potential gold mine, that sits, wasting away every day.

While I have offered plenty of potential options, there is one that is a proven winner and is thriving not too far from here in Sussex County, Delaware, home of Sports at the Beach.

Every spring and summer weekend, youth baseball teams of all age groups, from all over the region, converge at Sportys at the Beach, an area that features 16 fields that are packed throughout the baseball season.

The area has a pro shop, pickleball courts, swimming pool, driving range, picnic and camping areas, and more to offer people who vacation to the area.

Ironically, the area was built right off of the Delaware Coastal Airport.

According to an article in the Cape Gazette, the numbers are staggering.

In 2024, Sports at the Beach co-owner Michelle Townsend said those coming from outside the state represented more than 1,500 teams, of which 73% stayed overnight for more than 35,000 room nights and a local economic impact of more than $36 million. The total number of visitors was more than 172,000.

Townsend stated that she estimates that since 2022, the facility has generated nearly $1 billion of revenue for the area.

The 16 fields host tournaments virtually every day in the spring and summer months, with teams from all over the region coming to Delaware.

As someone who has coached youth sports for years, this is no surprise.

Youth baseball teams will travel to play in weekend tournaments and during the summer, it's common for teams to travel during the middle of the week. We all know the parents will pay for an experience, even if it's just a weekend.

There are tournaments being offered all over the area, none of those towns can offer what Atlantic City offers, or what a Bader Field complex could offer.

Bader Field should be filled with baseball fields, which in turn will be filled with teams from mid-March through mid-November.

The facility hosts tournaments for teams from ages 10 to 17+, with the price range for these tournaments ranging from $500-$1,450 per team.

With teams staying overnight, you need hotels, which could easily be built right on  Bader Field, so teams don't have to travel too far from the complex. If you have ever traveled with a full baseball team, you'll know they like to eat, so when the game is over, how about some restaurants built on Bader Field, to give the teams some options while they are in town. There will be some downtime, so how about some shopping for the parents.

You can add a small 2,500-seat basketball arena, concert venue, amphitheater, and other entertainment elements to the complex as teams continue to utilize the area.

Here is a quick mock-up of what a potential Bader Field Complex could look like with 16 baseball fields, soccer fields, a basketball arena, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and a live music venue.

Atlantic City would be a draw for teams because there are multiple things to do for kids, young adults, and adults. The parents could check out the nightlife after their kids game, the kids and young adults have the beach, and the rest of the time, Bader Field will host them for baseball, dinner, and shopping.

Bader Field can not only do it, they can make it bigger and better.

Travel and youth baseball is big business, and Atlantic City should start reaping the benefits. The land has enough room to make it more than baseball, you could have soccer, basketball, 7-on-7 flag football, softball, and more.  You name the sport, travel teams will come and play, and the Bader Field complex could be the premier spot on the East Coast to host these teams, every week, year-round.

A complex like this will allow the area to be used almost daily while giving area residents more restaurants, shopping, and lodging.

Teams travel from South Jersey up to Cooperstown (over a five-hour drive) to play baseball, why wouldn't teams travel from all over the Mid-Atlantic region and up and down the East coast come and play in Atlantic City, which offers the beach, boardwalk, and if done right, could offer a premier baseball complex with top-notch completion all summer long.

If you build it, they will come - I promise.