Over the next three weeks, nearly 375 girls’ softball teams will make their way to Maryland’s Lower Shore as part of the United States Specialty Sports Association Eastern National Championships.

Held on Delmarva the past 15 years, the event brings in anywhere from $18 million-$20 million in economic revenue. Since 2007, nearly 3,900 teams have participated, generating a total economic impact of over $186 million, according to a news release.

The USSSA, which is one of the largest softball tournaments in the country, draws teams from up to 19 states and Canada.

The growth of the tournament is due in part to the Mid-Atlantic Amateur Sports Alliance, a formal sports marketing partnership between Wicomico and Worcester counties and Ocean City. MAASA was formed in 2014 to accommodate the growth of the Eastern National, which had expanded beyond Wicomico County’s borders.

“USSSA East and the MAASA partners worked for years to grow the Eastern National,”  Kristen Goller, tourism manager for Wicomico County, said in a release. “Because of the dedication from all sides, this event is now one of the largest fast-pitch tournaments in one location in the nation.”

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The schedule over the next three weeks is as follows:

The Eastern National is divided into three tournament weeks:

Week 1: July 13-18: 10U Open, 12U Open

Week 2: July 20-25: 14U Open, 14U B

Week 3: July 26-31: 16U Open, 18U Open, 18U B

The Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex in Salisbury provides the main fields of play for the tournament, and other fields tentatively scheduled for use in Wicomico County include East Wicomico Little League, Eastside Youth Sports Complex, Mason-Dixon Sports Complex and WinterPlace Park.

In Worcester County, games are scheduled at Showell Park and John Walter Smith Park. Games will also be played at Northside Park in Ocean City.

In accordance with USSSA national guidelines, schedules will be released at the beginning of each tournament week and will be posted to the USSSA website. Tournament games are open to the public, with no admission fee charged.

For more information on the Eastern National, visit WicoSports.org.

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