GAME DAY USA CHOOSES ART VAN SPORTS COMPLEX AS BASEBALL TOURNEY DESTINATION
When the Art Van Sports Complex in Plainfield Township officially opened Aug. 1, 2014, Game Day USA had the privilege of hosting the very first youth baseball tournament there that weekend following the opening event.
Since that moment, Game Day USA, in partnership with the West Michigan Sports Commission, has been producing a dozen baseball and softball events annually – with a cumulative 50-plus tournaments together since 2015. Through this partnership, Grand Rapids has become the #1 youth baseball destination in Michigan, drawing teams from multiple states and Canada each year. Mike Guswiler’s vision of building a championship baseball-softball complex in greater Grand Rapids has become a reality!
While several new baseball complexes come online nationwide each year, the Art Van Sports Complex remains a destination of choice for Game Day USA. Some primary reasons:
Quality and cleanliness – The facility is appropriately staffed so that everything from restrooms, to garbage pickup, to grounds are kept up to a high level. When facilities like the AVSC are clean and professionally maintained, it can seem like a given – but those details matter and certainly are noticed when not kept up.
Customer service and “can do” attitude – This starts at the top with complex manager Bryan Baar and extends to his staff. He and his team are excellent at communicating with us, and they manage every level of detail – whether it is making fields playable as quickly as possible following inclement weather, or driving spectators and families to the field from the parking lot as an additional service.
Stellar destination – Grand Rapids is loaded with great hotels, unique dining and entertainment options, and plenty to do for families with kids while in town. For example, whenever the West Michigan Whitecaps are at home at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Game Day USA seeks to bring the teams and families there to catch a game while in town.
Game Day USA events run during the spring and summer season, including 12 tournaments at the Art Van Sports Complex in the 2019 season alone. The Art Van Sports Complex season culminates with the Game Day USA National Championships this month, featuring more than 100 youth baseball teams of all ages. Originally just one extended weekend, by popular demand, the National Championships now consume two extended weekends, July 11-14 and July 18-21.
With more than 150 professionally managed baseball and softball events nationwide, Game Day USA, a division of Athletx Sports Group, has been a trusted name in the sports management industry for 14 years. Offering weekend tournaments and special events in family-friendly locations, including MLB Spring Training destinations in Florida and Arizona, Game Day USA has something to offer baseball and softball families on a year-round basis. Founded in 2005, Game Day USA now hosts nearly 6,000 teams on annually, representing more than 25 states plus Canada.
At Game Day USA, we look forward to continuing our relationship with the West Michigan Sports Commission and Art Van Sports Complex, bringing hundreds of young people to play baseball and softball in West Michigan annually. Learn more about Game Day USA and follow the Art Van Sports Complex tournament schedule to see Game Day USA events.
