A Winning Streak for West Michigan

Meijer Sports Complex Expansion Campaign

West Michigan Sports Commission

Winning Streak for West Michigan

KEEP THE BALL ROLLING

The Meijer Sports Complex has been a win for West Michigan.

Since opening in 2014, the complex has given the region a championship-caliber baseball and softball facility that draws travel teams from across the country, making West Michigan a premier destination for youth and amateur sports and a key driver of regional sports tourism and economic activity.

The complex features a championship baseball field with seating for 1,000 spectators, seven additional baseball and softball fields, and a Miracle Field for athletes with disabilities.

Through regional partnerships and broad-based community collaboration, the West Michigan Sports Commission built this complex to support its mission of promoting the region as a premier venue for hosting youth and amateur sports to enhance the region’s economy and quality of life. Now it’s time to build on that momentum. We know more growth is possible if we expand this facility to meet its potential.

We’re ready to turn this win into a winning streak for West Michigan.

West Michigan Sports Commission

It is amazing to see the look on a 14 or 15-year-old’s face when they first see the field and realize they can play in that stadium. It is the experience of their life.

VISITING COACH

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

The Meijer Sports Complex put West Michigan in play for sports tourism dollars that have given our region an economic boost of more than $52 million since opening its doors.

Sports tourism is a $40 billion industry in the United States, with baseball ranking in the top four travel sports. West Michigan has claimed a share of this market by welcoming travel teams to tournaments hosted here. Each player’s family spends an average of $754 per trip at area hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and attractions.

Expanding this complex will generate even more tourism dollars.

In addition to increasing baseball and softball capacity, expanding the Meijer Sports Complex to include pickleball courts will put West Michigan on the map for one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation.

Michigan Sports Commission

Through its first eight seasons, the Meijer Sports Complex hosted 148 events, 7,500 teams, and over 243,750 spectators, for a total impact of $52 million in direct visitor spending.

Expansion will bring 200 more teams each year, with an annual impact of $1 million in additional visitor spending.

MIKE GUSWILER PRESIDENT - WMSC

Team sports teach valuable lessons and increase health and wellness for young athletes, in addition to our primary mission of bringing visitor dollars into our community.

Pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years. During the pandemic, more than a million Americans began playing it.

THE NEW YORKER

FIELDS OF DREAMS

Every kid has dreams. But not every kid is given a chance to see them come true. Youth sports are only a win if everyone can play.

Half a century after Title IX ushered in a new era for women and girls in sports, it’s time to give them a facility worthy of their dreams. While our current complex takes into consideration sports for all genders, we can do more to expand facility use for girls and women by creating a first-class championship fast-pitch softball field for both collegiate and youth use.

We see an opportunity to celebrate the growth of softball in our region and attract more events and visitors—advancing the cause of gender equity and economic opportunity. This expansion will help us level the playing field. By adding three new diamond fields and one championship field for softball, we can take a major step toward gender parity and give softball players the opportunity they deserve.

Michigan Sports

MIRACLES REALIZED

The Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field at the Meijer Sports Complex is a place where dreams come true. Here, athletes with disabilities take the field to realize possibilities they only imagined. This field, one of only nine like it in Michigan, has become a gathering place where families and spectators are reminded of the true meaning of sports.

This expansion will include resurfacing the Miracle Field, doubling down on our commitment to inclusion. With a playing surface that is safer and more durable, these athletes can keep living out their dreams for years to come.

As a Rockford resident, business owner, and food partner with Meijer Sports Complex, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that the complex has had in our community. The increase in visitors coming to town for tournaments has helped build sales in our restaurants, placing more money in the pockets of my employees. As a family, we also enjoy watching the various sports at the complex. I believe that expanding the complex would bring even more benefits to the area.

DAN UCCELLO PRESIDENT | FLO’S COLLECTION

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

It takes leadership and vision to build a championship dynasty. These leaders and partners are committed to creating a legacy of sustained success, ensuring a winning streak for West Michigan.

We're extremely grateful for the relationship we have with the Meijer Sports Complex. The Meijer Sports Complex has created a great environment for the community, families, and student athletes. We've had the pleasure of hosting many large parties, carryout orders, etc., from families at the complex. The Score is very fortunate for this partnership, as it has greatly impacted our business and we're excited to see the complex continue to grow.

THE SCORE RESTAURANT

The Meijer Sports Complex has proven to be an asset in our community in attracting teams and their families from out of town. The Country Inn & Suites Grand Rapids East has benefited from these groups by adding valuable weekend room nights that have become an important part of our business mix. I support an expansion of the Meijer Sports Complex and the added economic activity it will bring to this hotel, as well as many other businesses throughout the region.

ED WILSON GENERAL MANAGER COUNTRY INN & SUITES BY RADISSON GRAND RAPIDS EAST

Michigan Sports Commission

Our expansion campaign is backed by a great team, starting at the top with Lance Parrish. Special assistant to the Detroit Tigers. Parrish is our Ambassador of Baseball for this campaign.

In a 19-year Major League career, Parrish played in 1,988 games, accumulating 1,782 hits in 7,067 at-bats for a .v252 career batting average, along with 324 home runs and 1,070 runs batted in. He was an eighttime All-Star (1980, 1982–86, 1988, and 1990), and he won three Gold Glove Awards (1983–85).

Lance Parrish Ambassador of Baseball Catcher – 1984 Detroit Tigers World Champions Special Assistant to the Detroit Tigers

HONORARY CO-CHAIRS

I think this is a great cause. This is a chance to pay it forward so that kids have the opportunity to play. It’s a great feeling to know that you’ve contributed to their success.

LANCE PARRISH CATCHER – 1984 DETROIT TIGERS WORLD CHAMPIONS

Winning Streak for West Michigan

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOLLOW THROUGH

When you swing a bat, it’s your follow through that determines how far the ball will fly. Many supporters stepped up to the plate to help build the Meijer Sports Complex and generate momentum for sports tourism in West Michigan. Now we’re asking you to follow through.

Expanding this facility will further establish West Michigan as a regional destination for travel sports, generating new waves of visitor spending for our region.

It will take a team effort. The WMSC has a track record of growing sports tourism steadily and sustainably, maximizing the impact of our supporters.

Team up with us to follow through and deliver a winning streak for West Michigan.