Be the Best Inc. Baseball and Softball Clinic Will Make Move to Atlantic City
Longest Running Baseball and Softball Clinic Teams Up With New Bader Field Sports Complex in Move to Atlantic City
Atlantic City, N.J.—Be the Best Inc., the largest softball clinic and the second largest baseball clinic in the country is making major moves to enhance the youth sports world. As of June 8, 2015, entrepreneur brothers Greg and Dan Allen of Bergen County will take over ownership of the 43 year-old Cherry Hill company, incorporating it into their vision for transforming Atlantic City into a world-class sports destination. The Allens are owners of several businesses, including Bader Field Sports, LLC who was recently designated the redeveloper of a 142-acre parcel in Atlantic City.
“Purchasing this clinic provides us (Bader Field Sports, LLC) with the necessary foundation of a captured audience to help promote Atlantic City as a sports tourism destination,” said Greg Allen.
Each year, Be the Best, founded in 1972 by Jack Hawkins, attracts approximately 2,000 people interested in learning more about coaching. Athletic coaches of all age groups from Little League through college participate in the clinic. Be the Best is known for its expert guest speakers that include former professional baseball players and managers, decorated Olympian athletes, college and university coaches and other credible professionals from the worlds of baseball and softball who offer tips and tools to enrich their art of coaching. Guest speakers cover topics like how to build a championship program, pitching mechanics, hitting drills and defense skills.
Approximately 100 vendors attend the yearly event, showcasing new products and technological advances in their sport. Exhibitors make sales and contacts at the clinic and continue to supply coaches with products and information throughout the year.
“Today’s acquisition of the largest softball clinic and the second largest baseball clinic in the country underscores the commitment we made to the Mayor and Council and the residents of Atlantic City, to help put Atlantic City back on the map for something other than gaming,” Allen continued.
Due to break ground later this year, the Allen brothers’ redevelopment plan will turn the former municipal airport into Bader Field Sports Complex. The complex will consist of 20 fields accommodating baseball, softball, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer. In addition, Bader Field Sports will construct one or more indoor sports facilities for year-round events and a community center to serve the residents of Atlantic City. Additional phases of the project include a field house for basketball and volleyball and the construction of college dormitories and classrooms. Bader Field Sports plans to begin hosting year-round tournaments in 2016 with the completion of the facilities resulting in up to 100,000 room nights booked per year and in excess of $170 million direct spending in the local economy.
“With everything Atlantic City has to offer, world class dining and entertainment venues, 5-star hotels, an expansive beach and boardwalk, and an international airport, families will not only be attracted to Atlantic City, but will want to make this a regular vacation spot, mixing sports tournaments with family staycations,” brother Dan Allen said.
He also feels that with sports tourism now a $9 billion dollar-a-year business, Atlantic City can be “America’s Playground, AGAIN.”
Jack Hawkins will remain on as Clinic Director and already has a star-studded lineup of guest speakers committed for the January, 2016 event in Atlantic City, including University of Tennessee Coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly, and other well known coaches that played in the NCAA 2015 Women's College World Series. Along with the relocation from Cherry Hill, NJ, the Allens are excited to introduce several other significant changes to the event. Starting this year, softball and baseball will be combined into one clinic. Doubling the size of the venue will allow for additional exhibitor space including indoor batting cages and pitching lanes and the opportunity for additional seminars to help coaches and athletes gain a better understanding of the recruiting process.
This year, Be the Best will offer several sessions in which the youth of Atlantic City will be invited to participate and learn from the best coaches in the game. This is the cornerstone of the AC Kids First Campaign currently being developed by Bader Field Sports, integrating the youth of Atlantic City into the sports world by inviting them to participate in free clinics and camps throughout the year.
Greg and Dan Allen are hopeful that Major League Baseball will have a presence at the 2016 clinic to help promote and instill the value that Little League offers to the youth, especially those in urban areas like Atlantic City.
Atlantic City Council President Frank Gilliam, a longtime proponent of bringing sports tourism to Atlantic City, commented on the Allen’s recent purchase. “It sends a major message that we do want things to happen in our communities. It will show the world we’re interested in taking care of our communities.”
Mr. James Wood, President of the newly-created AC Sports Commission is also excited about Be the Best coming to Atlantic City. “Sports is big business and I can think of no better way of adding non-gaming revenue to Atlantic City than by growing the amateur sports travel segment.”
The four-day Be the Best clinic will be held in January, 2016 and expects to attract more than 2,000 coaches. Along with a special coach’s welcome party, the Allens plan to provide attendees with an experience that will leave a long-lasting positive impression on everything that Atlantic City and Be the Best have to offer.
Be the Best will be announcing more exciting plans in the coming weeks.
For more information, please contact Greg or Dan Allen (201) 689-9509 or visit the website at www.BeTheBest.com or www.BaderFieldSports.com.