Prince George’s Stadium

“A $20.6 million gamble,” a man muttered, adjusting his Orioles cap. He was staring at Prince George’s Stadium in 1994. This impressive structure, Prince George’s Stadium, arose from a partnership between Maryland Baseball Limited Partnership and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. It was built on park land, a testament to the belief in Bowie’s baseball future. Prince George’s Stadium opened its gates on June 16, 1994. The Bowie Baysox, the Baltimore Orioles’ Double-A affiliate, finally had a proper home. This wasn’t their first rodeo though. While Prince George’s Stadium was under construction, the Baysox spent the 1993 season playing at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium. They even borrowed fields from the United States Naval Academy, the University of Maryland, the Frederick Keys, and the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 1994. The stadium’s capacity is officially 10,000. However, the Double-A All-Star game in 2000 squeezed in a whopping 14,000 fans. This wasn’t just a baseball venue. Prince George’s Stadium hosted the 2002 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game as well. The stadium sits near the intersection of U.S. Route 301 and U.S. Route 50. Over the years, it has seen everything from Congressional Baseball Games to Allen Iverson charity softball matches. Lacrosse tournaments, USA Softball games, yard sales, movie nights, concerts, and even Halloween activities have graced its grounds. And when the Baysox are on the road, the left-field parking lot transforms into a drive-in theater. Given its proximity to military bases like Fort George G. Meade and Andrews Air Force Base, Prince George’s Stadium often hosts military appreciation events. In 2007, 5,000 tickets were given to soldiers for a Flag Day celebration with Sergeant Slaughter. Prince George’s Stadium even had a brief stint as a cricket ground, hosting the D.C. Forward in 2004. It even played a vital role during the 2020 MLB season, serving as the alternate training site for the Baltimore Orioles. Even television came calling. Prince George’s Stadium was featured in a 2007 episode of Dirty Jobs, where host Mike Rowe experienced the less glamorous side of stadium upkeep. From baseball to wrestling, cricket to movies under the stars, Prince George’s Stadium has offered a diverse range of entertainment, making it a true community hub.