WEST MICHIGAN SPORTS COMMISSION CLOSES SUCCESSFUL SEASON AT MEIJER SPORTS COMPLEX, WITH TOURNEYS AND RELATED SPENDING SURPASSING 2020 AND REBOUNDING CLOSE TO PRE-COVID LEVELS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 14, 2021 – Sports is one of the first segments of the tourism industry to rebound following the pandemic-related downturn in travel – and the Meijer Sports Complex in Rockford is proof.

The West Michigan Sports Commission closes a successful 2021 baseball/softball season at its championship-caliber Meijer Sports Complex with one final tournament in early October – wrapping the season with 25 tournaments between April and October attracting 684 teams, 8,892 athletes and 22,230 spectators who will have booked 5,973 hotel room nights and spent more than $5,618,365 million in estimated visitor spending. These figures are at least double 2020 figures, and only slightly lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

“The 2021 season at the Meijer Sports Complex has been a complete success, proving that sports tourism is leading the comeback of our regional tourism economy,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “The return of more baseball/softball tournaments, especially those that attract travel teams, is a bellwether of more positive change to come in the sports tourism industry.”

Following are highlights of the season:

• More tournaments than 2020 and 2019 – The sports complex will have hosted 25 tournaments by the end of the 2021 season – up 67 percent from 2020 at 15 tournaments and up 14 percent from 2019 pre-pandemic levels at 22 events. And bookings kept the complex busy almost nonstop, with 19 back-to-back weekends from April through August. Among the 25 tournaments were 14 by Game Day USA and five by USA Softball.

• Travel teams doubled from 2020, increasing hotel room nights – Travel teams comprised 50 percent of the teams playing in the 2021 season at 342 teams out of 684, compared to 27 percent in 2020 at 124 teams out of 462. Team travel representation came from Southeast Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Ontario. The influx of travel teams also resulted in a 145 percent increase in hotel nights booked in 2021 at 5,973, versus 2,433 in 2020 – and only a 7 percent decrease from 2019.

• Direct visitor spending more than doubled from 2020 – With increased tournaments, travel teams, athletes and spectators, visitor spending through hotel nights and other purchases more than doubled 2020 levels at $5.6 million – up 134 percent from 2020 at $2.4 million. It also was only 8 percent below pre-pandemic levels in 2019 at $6.1 million.

• Complex filled to capacity in June – The complex experienced a blockbuster month in June, with all four weekends booked with tournaments that attracted more than 50 teams per weekend and several age groups filling to capacity. Signature tournaments included three Game Day USA events (including the Game Day USA State Championships) and the Meijer State Games of Michigan.

• National tournament operator filled weekends – Chicago-based Game Day USA booked 14 tournaments this season, including Game Day USA Pre-Season Championships (2), Super Regional, Rumble in the Rapids (2), Stars N' Strikes Showdown, Silver Series Championship (2), State Championship, Meijer State Games of Michigan, National Championship (2), Summer SlugFest and the All Star Tournament. The WMSC just signed a new, three-year operating agreement with Game Day USA and has already secured 14 dates on the 2022 calendar.

• Two national USA Softball tournaments – The Meijer Sports Complex hosted two national USA Softball tournaments this year: the USA Softball Men's Open East Fast Pitch National Championship Aug. 27-29 and USA Softball Men's Slow Pitch Class D National Championship Sept. 3-5. These generated a collective 372 participants and 600 spectators who booked 300 hotel room nights and spent more than $500,000 in estimated direct spending. USA Softball also hosted three state tournaments in 2021.

• Aquinas College played first full season – Aquinas College Men’s Baseball returned to the complex as its home baseball field, playing its first full season in 2021 since the baseball season was delayed in 2020. The college continues with fall baseball this year and returns in 2022 for its competitive spring season.

Future Complex Growth and Expansion

Owned and operated by the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer Sports Complex opened in 2015 for its first full season, featuring eight baseball and softball fields, including a 385-foot fenced Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Championship Field with covered grandstands seating 1,000 spectators; Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field; warm-up areas, restrooms, concessions and maintenance building; and parking for more than 400 vehicles. The Rockford-based baseball/softball complex was named the Meijer Sports Complex May 4 in a 10-year partnership between Meijer and the WMSC.

Costing $7.5 million and funded exclusively through philanthropic donations, the championship-caliber baseball/ softball complex has remaining acreage to the south that the WMSC plans to develop to offer more access for athletes, such as building a championship softball field. Other plans may include expanding dimensions of a few of the fields to accommodate collegiate-level play, plus the addition of more parking. The WMSC is in the first phase of a feasibility study to determine possible expansion plans and related costs.

“We have always envisioned this complex as growing with the needs of the baseball/softball community, and we have high hopes of expanding upon the successful work we have started with additional uses of the remaining acreage,” said Guswiler. “We want to provide parity for all types of ball players – from baseball to softball – and from high school through masters level.”

Since opening its doors in 2015, the Meijer Sports Complex has attracted more than 120 events and 170,105 visitors with an economic impact for Kent County in excess of $33 million, including cumulative hotel room night stays of more than 35,000.

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About the Meijer Sports Complex

A flagship project of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer Sports Complex is a championship-caliber baseball/softball complex near Rockford featuring eight baseball and softball fields, including the 385-foot fenced Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Championship Field with covered grandstands to seat 1,000 spectators; Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field for children with disabilities; warm-up areas, restrooms, concessions and maintenance building; and parking for more than 400 vehicles. Visit meijersportscomplex.com.

About the West Michigan Sports Commission

The non-profit West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) identifies, secures and hosts youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 954 events attracting more than 1.6 million athletes and visitors, generating over $460 million in direct visitor spending. Visit westmisports.com, Facebook.com/WestMichiganSportsCommission and @westmisports on Twitter and Instagram.

WEST MICHIGAN SPORTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES MEIJER AS OFFICIAL NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER FOR ROCKFORD BASEBALL/SOFTBALL COMPLEX

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PRESS RELEASE

For Release 1:30 p.m. EDT, May 4, 2021

CONTACT: Kim Skeltis, APR; (616) 419-8385; kim@blueblazepr.com

“Meijer Sports Complex” is Official Name of Championship-Caliber Complex in 10-Year Rights Deal

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 4, 2021 – The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) and Meijer have partnered for more than 10 years to promote youth and amateur sports through the Meijer State Games of Michigan and other WMSC initiatives. Today, they announced a new 10-year partnership further uniting the two West Michigan organizations, with Meijer as the new naming rights partner of the WMSC’s flagship baseball/softball complex in Rockford – now officially called the Meijer Sports Complex.

“Meijer has been a loyal partner of the WMSC for more than a decade, and this naming rights partnership extends and deepens that relationship as our organizations continue to support youth and amateur sports and the community as a whole through visitor spending,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “This new partnership also ensures that we can look to the future of the sports complex and expand upon the successful work we have started with additional uses of the remaining acreage. I can’t think of a more fitting partner when it comes to giving to Michigan – and especially West Michigan – than Meijer. We look forward to a long and productive partnership.”

Guswiler, along with Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes, Rockford Mayor Ed Ross, West Michigan Miracle League President Tony Comden and Aquinas College Men’s Head Baseball Coach Chris LaMange spoke to a group of invited guests today at a naming rights dedication event under the grandstand of Championship Field at the newly named Meijer Sports Complex, where the new complex logo was revealed and a ribbon was cut to commemorate the new partnership.

“Meijer has always supported youth and amateur sports and the related health and economic benefits that come from these activities,” Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes said. “This partnership with the West Michigan Sports Commission represents our commitment to enriching lives in the communities we serve. The complex is already a staple in the lives of many West Michigan families, and we look forward to seeing it continue to bring joy and spirited competition to the community for years to come.”

Keyes went on to share that Meijer was passionate about supporting the complex not just because of its overarching impact in the community, but because of the inclusivity of the facility. The Meijer Sports Complex houses one of only nine Miracle League fields in the state, allowing West Michigan children with disabilities to play baseball as part of the Miracle League in a space designed just for their needs.

“At Meijer, one of our core values is treating people with dignity and respect, which in this case means ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play baseball in a safe and fun environment,” Keyes said. “We have a long history of supporting organizations serving people with disabilities, including the Miracle League, so that aspect of this complex makes this contribution even more meaningful to us.”

Rockford Mayor Ed Ross expressed what it means to have the sports complex in Rockford’s backyard and how the partnership is beneficial for the region. And representatives from the West Michigan Miracle League and Aquinas Men’s Baseball explained why the Meijer Sports Complex has been a good partner for their teams. The Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field was the first field to open at the complex in 2013, and Aquinas College Men’s Baseball has utilized the complex as its home field since the 2020 baseball season.

Complex an Economic Catalyst and Sports Destination for West Michigan

The idea for the Meijer Sports Complex was first conceived in 2007 when the West Michigan Sports Commission was formed, supporting its mission of promoting the region as a premier venue for hosting youth and amateur sports to enhance West Michigan’s economy and quality of life. Part of that mission includes assuring that the community has tournament-quality venues.

“With $45.1 billion spent annually on sports tourism in the United States and baseball ranked among the top four travel sports, it made sense to build a premier baseball/softball complex that would bring dollars to our region from travel teams looking for venues in the Midwest,” Guswiler said. “And we built something unlike any complex in West Michigan.”

Since opening its doors, the Meijer Sports Complex has attracted more than 96 events and 170,105 visitors with an economic impact for Kent County in excess of $28 million, including cumulative hotel room night stays of more than 30,000. Even in 2020 with the pandemic and resulting event restrictions plus the recession, baseball/softball tournaments could continue, generating $2.4 million in direct visitor spending from hosting 15 tournaments, 462 teams, more than 6,000 athletes, 11,000 spectators and 2,433 hotel room nights.

From a development standpoint, the sports complex has attracted other sports facilities on adjacent property over the years to make the region a true youth and amateur sports destination, including the West Michigan Archery Center, Rock City BMX, two multi-use soccer fields, a sledding hill, and the multi-use Merrell Trail – all part of Plainfield Township Premier Park. The complex has 10 remaining acres that can be developed.

Ground was broken on the complex in October 2012, with architect firm Progressive AE and construction management firm Owen-Ames-Kimball Company completing the project in August 2014, with the first full season in 2015. The $7.5 million project cost was raised through an “Everyone Wins” campaign chaired by Arend Lubbers and Dan DeVos, as well as honorary chairs, Richard DeVos and Peter Secchia, with fundraising supported exclusively through philanthropic donations. Art Van Furniture served as the naming rights partner for the first five years of the complex.

2021 Calendar Full with Tournaments

The 2021 baseball/softball season already is off to a strong start at the Meijer Sports Complex, with almost every playable weekend booked with tournaments, including 14 tournaments by Game Day USA and four by USA Softball, highlighted by the USA Softball Men's Open East Fast Pitch National Championship Aug. 27-29 and USA Softball Men's Slow Pitch Class D National Championship Sept. 3-5.

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About the West Michigan Sports Commission

The non-profit West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) identifies, secures and hosts youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 882 events attracting more than 1.4 million athletes and visitors, generating over $410 million in direct visitor spending. Visit westmisports.com, Facebook.com/WestMichiganSportsCommission and @westmisports on Twitter and Instagram.

About Meijer

Meijer is a Grand Rapids-based retailer that operates 256 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the "one-stop shopping" concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at facebook.com/meijer.

About the Meijer Sports Complex

A flagship project of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer Sports Complex is a championship-caliber baseball/softball complex near Rockford featuring eight baseball and softball fields, including the 385-foot fenced Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Championship Field with covered grandstands to seat 1,000 spectators; Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field for children with disabilities; warm-up areas, restrooms, concessions and maintenance building; and parking for more than 400 vehicles. Visit meijersportscomplex.com.

Aquinas College baseball team opens fall ball in new home

Mlive | By: Steve Kaminski

The Aquinas College baseball team took to the field Monday for the first time since the Saints’ spring trip was called off about six months ago.

What made Monday even more special was where the Saints began their fall ball season.

Click here to read more

ART VAN SPORTS COMPLEX FEATURES NEW CONSUMERS ENERGY PICNIC PAVILION

4/12/18 9:30 am

CONTACT: Kim Skeltis, APR; (616) 419-8385; kim@blueblazepr.com

Fourth Season Opens April 21 with 17 Tournaments and Two Sell-Out Weekends Anticipated

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich., April 12, 2018 – While Opening Day in Major League Baseball has come and gone, April 21 is “opening day” at the championship-caliber Art Van Sports Complex (AVSC), officially kicking off its fourth tournament season with the USSSA Early Bird Spring Classic. This year features not only 17 tournaments and an estimated $5 million in direct visitor spending, but new facility additions like the Consumers Energy Picnic Pavilion, an additional storage building, and coming soon – batting cages (estimated completion in August).

Owned and operated by the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC), the AVSC is the only baseball/softball complex of its kind in West Michigan. Since opening in August 2014, the AVSC has contributed a cumulative $13.5 million in direct visitor spending to the region, hosting 53 tournaments over its first three seasons that attracted 1,954 teams, almost 25,000 athletes and 62,360 spectators who booked 21,482 hotel room nights.

“We are thrilled to be on the brink of another season with the AVSC,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “This complex is doing exactly what we’d hoped and more – drawing athletes and their families to West Michigan to not only enjoy our first-class athletic facilities, but spend their dollars here.”

2018 Season Features New Picnic Pavilion

A new feature this year is the recently completed Consumers Energy Picnic Pavilion, located off the drive between Quads A & B before approaching the Championship Field.  The 24’ x 52’ lighted pavilion is constructed in the same wooden architectural style as the Championship Field canopy, holding 12 picnic tables that can accommodate up to three teams at a time.

Consumers Energy Foundation, one of the original donors to the Everyone Wins campaign during construction of the AVSC in 2012, generously stepped up as the lead donor of the pavilion.  Additional donors include the Universal Forest Products Foundation.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to Consumers Energy Foundation for selecting the Art Van Sports Complex in 2012 when it was issuing grants across the state to celebrate its 125-year existence and commitment to the community.  We’re so fortunate for this recent additional donation from both Consumers Energy Foundation and UFPI Foundation to improve our visitors’ experience through the construction of this picnic pavilion,” said Guswiler.

Strong Economic Impact with Full Tournament Schedule

The WMSC anticipates that 2018 will be another strong year in terms of economic impact, with the 2018 tournament season estimated to generate another $5 million in direct visitor spending based on an expected 640 teams, 8,320 athletes and 20,800 spectators. The AVSC kicks off its 2018 tournament schedule this weekend with the USSSA Early Bird Spring Classic, the first of 17 tournaments booked between April and September.  A few of the tournaments, such as the Game Day USA Majestic Prospect Games in June and Game Day USA National Championships in July (two weekends), will fill the complex to capacity (60 teams) and utilize additional fields outside the complex, with teams traveling from as far as Wisconsin, Illinois and Ontario.

Below is a list of confirmed tournaments between April and September, with tournaments in bold drawing the most significant economic impact:

USSSA Early Bird Spring Classic, April 21-22
Game Day USA National Youth Baseball Championships Qualifier, April 27-29
USSSA Great Lakes Showcase, May 4-6
USSSA Cinco De Mayo Shootout, May 5-6
Game Day USA Super Regional, May 11-13
USSSA Great Lakes Challenge, May 19-20
2018 USSSA Memorial Day Classic, May 26-27
Game Day USA Rumble in the Rapids, June 1-3
Game Day USA Majestic Prospect Games, June 8-10
Game Day USA Silver Series Grand Championships - Grand Rapids, June 15-17
Meijer State Games of Michigan Baseball Tournament, June 22-24
Game Day USA Michigan State Championships, June 29-July 1
USSSA Summer Blast, July 4-6
Game Day USA National Championships Grand Rapids #1, July 12-15
Game Day USA National Championships Grand Rapids #2, July 19-22
ISSA-Canada Senior Border Battle, Aug. 3-5
USA Softball Men’s Modified Pitch, Sept. 1

A full list of AVSC tournaments can be found at artvansportscomplex.com.

About the West Michigan Sports Commission

The nonprofit West Michigan Sports Commission works to identify, secure and host a diverse level of youth and amateur sporting events to make a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 646 sporting events and tournaments that attracted more than 1 million athletes and visitors, generating $297 million in direct visitor spending. For more information, visit westmisports.com and Facebook.com/WestMichiganSportsCommission and follow @WestMiSports.

About the Art Van Sports Complex

A flagship project of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Art Van Sports Complex is a championship-caliber baseball/softball complex near Rockford featuring eight baseball and softball fields, including the 385-foot fenced Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Championship Field with covered grandstands to seat 1,000 spectators; Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field for children with disabilities; warm-up areas, restrooms, concessions and maintenance building; and parking for more than 400 vehicles. Visit artvansportscomplex.com for more information.

WEST MICHIGAN HOSTS FIRST USA-CANADA "SENIOR BORDER BATTLE" IN SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL AUG. 3-5 AT ART VAN SPORTS COMPLEX

CONTACT: Kim Skeltis, APR; (616)-419-8385; kim@blueblazepr.com

Top Senior Softball Athletes from 16 Teams in the United States and Canada Compete in First International Senior Softball Association Event in Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 30, 2018 – Canada is sending down its best men’s senior slow-pitch softball players to square off against the best U.S. teams in the first-ever USA-Canada Senior Border Battle in men’s slow pitch softball, Aug. 3-5 at the Art Van Sports Complex in Plainfield Township. 

Hosted by the West Michigan Sports Commission, the event is organized by the International Senior Softball Association (ISSA) and Slo-Pitch Ontario Association (SPO) to provide the best senior players in both countries an opportunity to participate in international competition.  The event is being held for the first time, and it will alternate each year between the United States at the Art Van Sports Complex (AVSC) and Canada at an Ontario venue selected by SPO. In the off year, ISSA will host another slow-pitch senior event at the AVSC. This also is the first ISSA tournament ever held in Michigan.

“Michigan is a big slow-pitch softball state, so this is an ideal fit to have this tournament in our backyard,” said Katy Tigchelaar, WMSC director of marketing & events and local tournament director for the USA-Canada Border Battle. “We are thrilled to partner with ISSA on an annual senior softball event at the Art Van Sports Complex, and we hope to knock this first event out of the ballpark, literally, and continue to grow it in future years.”

The event has 16 registered teams with 250 players ranging in age from 50 to 65-plus. The 12 U.S. teams hail from Florida, Illinois, Michigan (three teams), Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio (two teams), Texas and West Virginia. The four Canadian teams are comprised of players from cities throughout Ontario. The event is expected to generate approximately $200,000 in economic impact plus 400 hotel nights booked for both the players and an estimated 150 traveling spectators who will stay at the Best Western Hospitality Hotel & Suites, Comfort Inn Airport and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Rapids Airport.

“We are very excited to work with the West Michigan Sports Commission for the inaugural Senior Border Battle that will feature some of the most outstanding senior players in the history of the sport, many of whom have been inducted in the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame,” said ISSA Executive Director RB Thomas, Jr. “The West Michigan Sports Commission staff has been excellent to work with to insure participants experience an outstanding, high-quality event.”

Tournament Details

The tournament features four age classifications – 50 to 54 years, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, and 65-plus – with four teams per age category (three U.S. teams and one Canadian team). Each U.S. team will play three preliminary games on Saturday against the respective Canadian team in each age division to determine the number one seeded USA Team to compete against the Canadian teams on Sunday. The top seeded team in each age bracket will play the equivalent Canadian team on Sunday for the Border Champion. Seeds 2 and 3 will play for the Bronze medal. Team awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers in each age division. Individual awards (medals) also will be given to players on the top three teams. USA Border Champions will receive a berth to compete in the 2019 event in Canada.

"We can’t wait to participate in this unique initiative that brings an international level of competition to the most experienced slo-pitch players of our two countries, and we look forward to working with the ISSA and the West Michigan Sports Commission to make this an event to remember,” said Tom Buchan, CEO of the Slo-Pitch Ontario Association.

The tournament weekend begins Friday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. with a Home Run Derby that will pit three-man teams of the power hitters from each of the sixteen teams.  The grand finale tournaments begin Sunday at 11 a.m. on the four fields.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit seniorsoftball.org/usa-canada-senior-border-battle.html.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer scorekeepers are needed Saturday, Aug. 4 and Sunday, Aug. 5 to fill approximately two-hour shifts. For information and to register as a volunteer, visit http://signup.com/go/TLAbuNS.

MEDIA NOTE: The sport is spelled Slow Pitch in the United States and Slo Pitch in Canada.

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About the West Michigan Sports Commission

The non-profit West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) identifies, secures and hosts a diverse level of youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 664 sporting events and tournaments that attracted more than 1 million athletes and visitors, generating $307 million in direct visitor spending. For more information, visit westmisports.com and Facebook.com/WestMichiganSportsCommission and follow @WestMiSports.

About the International Senior Softball Association

The International Senior Softball Association (ISSA) was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Manassas, Virginia.  One of the nation’s leading sports organizations, the ISSA annually holds more than 25 championship events at venues across the United States for the senior division of the sport.  The staff have been recognized nationally for the quality and sports tourism value of the events in their championship series.  In 2015, the National Association of Sports Commissions recognized ISSA Founder and Executive Director RB Thomas, Jr. as the Outstanding Sports Event Organizer in the United States.  For more information, visit seniorsoftball.org.

About the Slo-Pitch Ontario Association

The Slo-Pitch Ontario Association (SPO) was formed in 1982 in an effort to create more awareness of the sport of slo-pitch and to better communicate with its participants throughout Ontario.  In 1992, SPO became a member of Softball Ontario and affiliated with Softball Canada, the officially recognized slo-pitch/softball organizations.  Slo-Pitch Ontario has one of the largest provincial memberships in Canada.  Slo-pitch softball is one of the fastest growing adult team sports in North America. More than 2.5 million Canadians play this recreational grassroots game each season. For more information, visit slopitch.org