Perdue Stadium to host MEAC baseball championships

SALISBURY, Maryland -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Department of Athletics has partnered with the Delmarva Shorebirds to host the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championships starting this season and continuing through 2017. The partnership will have Division I championship baseball in Salisbury, Maryland, for the next three years. This year's championship will start Wednesday, May 13 and runs through Saturday May 16 with a possible rain date of Sunday, May 17.

"We think this will be an exciting event for all of Delmarva," said UMES Director of Athletics Keith Davidson. "Teaming up with a premier organization, like the Delmarva Shorebirds, at one of the greatest minor league baseball stadiums in the nation, Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, in an area that loves baseball, like the Eastern Shore, seems like a winning combination for everyone involved."

2015 MEAC Baseball Ticket Flyer 



Six teams will vie for the conference title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Championship field, earning a spot in a regional series. The top-three seeds from the conference's northern and southern division will earn a spot in the championship which will feature at least 10 games over the four days.

The northern division includes Coppin State, Delaware State, Norfolk State and the host UMES. The southern division includes Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central and Savannah State.

The championships begin on Wednesday with four games. The second and third seeds from each division match up in the first two games, starting at 9 a.m. Then the winners of those two games play the top seeds from the two divisions in the night games.

The tournament is a double elimination format. Thursday features three games, starting at 9 a.m. while Friday will serve as the semi-finals, starting at 10 a.m. The championship game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start on Saturday and will feature a second game if necessary due to the double elimination format.

Tickets are $8.00 per day or just $25.00 for all four days. Parking is free. To purchase tickets go online at umestickets.com , call 410-621-3311, or mail in the form here. Tickets can also be purchased at the door each day.

UMES will also be hosting a discount promotion each day. Wednesday is slated as Little League night. All youth that participate in little league play or any affiliated youth sports will be admitted free of charge thanks to Atlantic Stand of Ocean City, Md. Thursday is Family Day where buying one ticket gets up to four more family members in for free. Friday's Military Day with all members of the military, active, reserve and retired free admission. In addition, all first responders, police and firefighters will also be admitted free.

Saturday's championship day is highlighted as Negro League Day. All day long, children in eighth grade or younger will receive free admission. The Negro League Day will feature onsite exhibits and information about Negro League Baseball, including various players who played in the leagues from Delmarva. All children who attend will have the opportunity to talk with players and see the display, then see the MEAC championship finals, pitting two of the best HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) going head to head for an NCAA berth. The Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame, located in the stadium, will also be open that day, showing the Shore's contributions to the game.

UMES is also encouraging their faculty, staff and students to attend the event. Anyone who presents a UMES ID at the time of purchase will be able to buy one ticket and get one free each day of the MEAC Baseball Championships. The offer is also extended to all Salisbury University and Wor-Wic Community College students, faculty and staff.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION