Maryland has had a long history concerning sports and a number of major and minor professional sports franchises. Two National Football League teams play in Maryland, the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore and the Washington Redskins in Prince George's County. The Baltimore Orioles compete as Major League Baseball franchise in Baltimore.
Maryland enjoys considerable historical repute for the talented sports players of its past, including: Cal Ripken Jr. and Babe Ruth.
Other professional sports franchises in the state include five affiliated minor league baseball teams, one independent league baseball team, the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team, two indoor football teams, two low-level Basketball teams and three low-level outdoor soccer teams.
Since 1962, the official state sport of Maryland is jousting. Lacrosse was named the official team sport in 2004,[1] and Sports Illustrated wrote the sport "has always been the showcase for the flower of Maryland manhood."[2] In 2008, intending to promote physical fitness for all ages, Maryland declared walking the official state exercise and became the first state with an official state exercise.[3] Maryland is home to Olympic swimming medalists Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff.
| Team name | League | 1st Maryland season | Stadium/Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen IronBirds | Class A-Short-Season - New York-Penn League | 2002 | |
| Baltimore Orioles | Major League Baseball | 1954 | |
| Bowie Baysox | Double-A - Eastern League | 1993 | Prince George's Stadium |
| Delmarva Shorebirds | Class A-Low - South Atlantic League | 1997 | Arthur W. Perdue Stadium |
| Frederick Keys | Class A-Advanced - Carolina League | 1989 | Harry Grove Stadium |
| Hagerstown Suns | Class A-Low - South Atlantic League | 1981 | Municipal Stadium |
| Southern Maryland Blue Crabs | Independent- Atlantic League | 2008 |
| Team name | League | 1st Maryland season | Stadium/Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Marvels | American Basketball Association | 2009 | Severn School |
| Tri-City Suns | American Basketball Association | 2009 | Progressive Christian Academy |
| Washington Madness | Eastern Basketball Alliance | 2008 | Capitol Sports Complex |
| Team name | League | 1st Maryland season | Stadium/Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Burn | Women's Football Alliance | 2001 | Patterson Senior High |
| Baltimore Charm | Lingerie Football League | 2010 | 1st Mariner Arena |
| Baltimore Nighthawks | Independent Women's Football League | 2008 | Art Modell Field |
| Baltimore Ravens | National Football League | 1996 | |
| D.C. Divas | Independent Women's Football League | 2000 | Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex |
| Maryland Maniacs | Indoor Football League | 2009 | Cole Field House |
| Maryland Reapers | American Indoor Football | 2012 | The Gardens Ice House |
| Washington Redskins | National Football League | 1997 (played in Washington, DC from 1937–1997) |
| Team name | League | 1st Maryland season | Stadium/Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Knights | American Inline Hockey League | 2007 | Capital Clubhouse |
| Washington Power | Major League Roller Hockey | 2008 | Gardens Ice House |
| Team name | League | 1st Maryland season | Stadium/Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake Bayhawks | Major League Lacrosse | 2001 |
| Team name | League | 1st Maryland season | Stadium/Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Blast | Major Indoor Soccer League | 1992 | 1st Mariner Arena |
| Charm City FC | National Premier Soccer League | 2008 | Arundel High School |
| Crystal Palace Baltimore | NASL (on hiatus) | 2007 | UMBC Stadium |
| TSC Maryland Pride | Women's Premier Soccer League | 1994 | Mount St. Mary's University |
| Maryland Tigers | Premier Arena Soccer League | 2007 | Maryland SoccerPlex |
| Real Maryland Monarchs | USL Premier Development League | 2008 | Maryland SoccerPlex |
| Washington Freedom | Women's Professional Soccer | 2004 | Maryland SoccerPlex |
The following table details baseball teams which were located in Maryland. For minor league teams that changed affiliations, each affiliation is listed as a separate team.
| Team name | Years present | League | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Arsenal | 2000 | Atlantic League of Professional Baseball | Defunct |
| Baltimore Black Sox | 1916–1933 | Eastern Colored League American Negro League Negro National League East-West League |
Defunct |
| Baltimore Canaries | 1872–1874 | National Association | Defunct |
| Baltimore Elite Giants | 1938–1950 | Negro National League Negro American League |
Defunct |
| Baltimore Lord Baltimores | 1887 | National Colored Base Ball League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Marylands | 1873 | National Association | Defunct |
| Baltimore Monumentals | 1884 | Union Association | Defunct |
| Baltimore Orioles | 1882–1899 | American Association (Baseball) |
Defunct |
| Baltimore Orioles | 1901–1902 | American League (Baseball) | New York Yankees |
| Baltimore Orioles | 1903–1914 | Eastern League | Syracuse Chiefs |
| Baltimore Orioles | 1916–1953 | International League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Terrapins | 1914–1915 | Federal League | Defunct |
| Cambridge Canners | 1922-1928 1940-1941 |
Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Cambridge Cardinals | 1937–1939 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Cambridge Dodgers | 1946–1949 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Centreville Colts | 1937–1939 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Centreville Orioles | 1946 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Centreville Red Sox | 1940–1941 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Crisfield Crabbers | 1922-1928 1937 |
Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Cumberland Colts | 1916–1918 | Potomac League Blue Ridge League |
Defunct |
| Cumberland Colts | 1925-1932 1941-1942 |
Middle Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Cumberland Rooters | 1906–1907 | Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League Western Pennsylvania League |
Defunct |
| Easton Browns | 1937 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Easton Cubs | 1938 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Easton Farmers | 1924–1928 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Easton Yankees | 1939–1941 1946-1949 |
Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Federalsburg A's | 1937-1941 1946-1948 |
Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Federalsburg Feds | 1949 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Frederick Champs | 1916 | Blue Ridge League | Defunct |
| Frederick Hustlers | 1915 1917 1920-1928 |
Blue Ridge League | Defunct |
| Frederick Warriors | 1929–1930 | Blue Ridge League | Defunct |
| Frostburg Demons | 1916 | Potomac League | Defunct |
| Hagerstown Blues | 1915 | Blue Ridge League | Defunct |
| Hagerstown Braves | 1950–1953 | Interstate League Piedmont League |
Defunct |
| Hagerstown Champs | 1920–1921 | Blue Ridge League | Defunct |
| Hagerstown Hubs | 1924–1931 | Blue Ridge League Middle Atlantic League |
Defunct |
| Hagerstown Owls | 1941–1949 | Interstate League | Defunct |
| Hagerstown Packets | 1954–1955 | Piedmont League | Defunct |
| Hagerstown Terriors | 1916–1918 1922-1923 |
Blue Ridge League | Defunct |
| Laurel Blue Hens | 1922–1923 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Lonaconing Drybugs | 1916 | Potomac League | Defunct |
| Piedmont-Westernport Drybugs | 1918 | Blue Ridge League | Defunct |
| Pocomoke City Red Sox | 1937–1940 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Pocomoke City Salamanders | 1922–1923 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Salisbury A's | 1951 | Interstate League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Astros | 1965–1966 | South Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Bees | 1937–1938 | South Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Braves | 1960–1962 | South Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Cardinals | 1940–1941 1946-1949 |
Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Salisbury, Maryland Dodgers!Salisbury Dodgers | 1963–1964 | South Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Giants | 1939–1942 | South Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Indians | 1922-1928 1937-1938 |
Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Pirates | 1945–1952 | South Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Reds | 1952 | Interstate League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Rocots | 1953 | South Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Senators | 1939 | Eastern Shore Baseball League | Defunct |
| Salisbury Senators | 1968 | South Atlantic League | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| D.C. Forward | 2004 | Pro Cricket | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Blackbirds | 2007 | American Indoor Football Association | Defunct |
| Baltimore Blue Birds | 1937 | Dixie League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Colts | 1947–1950 | All-America Football Conference National Football League |
Defunct |
| Baltimore Colts | 1953–1984 | National Football League | Indianapolis Colts |
| Baltimore Broncos | 1963 | Atlantic Coast Football League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Mariners | 2008-2010 | American Indoor Football Association | Defunct |
| Baltimore Orioles | 1936 | Dixie League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Stallions | 1994–1995 | Canadian Football League | Montreal Alouettes |
| Baltimore Stars | 1985 | United States Football League | Defunct |
| Chesapeake Tide | 2007–2008 | Continental Indoor Football League | Defunct |
| Washington-Baltimore Ambassadors | 1974 | World Football League | Defunct |
| Washington/Maryland Commandos | 1987,1989 | Arena Football League | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Bandits | 1995–1997 | American Hockey League | Rockford IceHogs |
| Baltimore Blades | 1975–1976 | World Hockey Association | Defunct |
| Baltimore Clippers | 1945-1946 1949-1950 |
Eastern Amateur Hockey League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Clippers | 1954–1956 | Eastern Hockey League) | Defunct |
| Baltimore Clippers | 1962–1977 | American Hockey League Eastern Hockey League Southern Hockey League |
Defunct |
| Baltimore Orioles | 1933–1942 1944–45 |
Eastern Hockey League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Skipjacks | 1982–1993 | American Hockey League | Portland Pirates |
| Chesapeake Icebreakers | 1997–1999 | ECHL | Defunct |
| Washington Capitals | 1974–1997 | NHL | Moved to MCI Center, now Verizon Center |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Tribe | 1988 | American Lacrosse League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Thunder | 1987–1999 | Major Indoor Lacrosse League | Colorado Mammoth |
| Maryland Arrows | 1974–1975 | National Lacrosse League | Defunct |
| Washington Wave | 1987–1989 | Major Indoor Lacrosse League | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Americans | 1934–1949 | American Soccer League | Defunct' |
| Baltimore Bays | 1967–1969 | North American Soccer League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Bays | 1972–1973 | American Soccer League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Bays | 1993–1998 | USL Second Division | Defunct |
| Baltimore Blast | 1980–1992 | Major Indoor Soccer League | Defunct |
| Baltimore St. Gerards/Baltimore Flyers | 1966–1968 | American Soccer League | Defunct |
| Baltimore Rockets/Baltimore Pompei | 1953–1961 | American Soccer League | Defunct |
| Baltimore S.C. | 1943–1948 | American Soccer League | Defunct |
| Chesapeake Dragons | 2001–2004 | USL Premier Development League | Defunct |
| Eastern Shore Sharks | 1998–1999 | USL Second Division | Defunct |
| Maryland Bays | 1988–1991 | American Soccer League American Professional Soccer League |
Defunct |
| Maryland Mania | 1999 | USL First Division | Defunct |
| Washington Warthogs | 1994–1997 | Continental Indoor Soccer League | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Monuments | 1977 | Professional softball leagues | Defunct |
| Team name | Years present | League | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Banners | 1974 | World TeamTennis | Defunct |
The Coppin State University athletic teams are members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Their teams are called the Eagles and compete in the following sports:
The Johns Hopkins Blue Jays lacrosse lacrosse team, founded in 1883, is the school's most prominent sports team, which has won 44 national titles and is the only school sport to compete at the NCAA Division I level. The Blue Jays play at Homewood Field (pictured left).
Loyola fields 17 varsity teams and 22 club teams. The varsity teams participate in the NCAA's Division I. Sixteen of Loyola's 18 athletic teams compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Men's lacrosse competes in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and women's lacrosse is an associate member of the Big East Conference. The colleges teams are called the Greyhounds (logo right) and compete in the following sports:
The Morgan State University athletic teams are members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Their teams are called the Bears and compete in the following sports:
Mount St. Mary's University was one of the founding members of the Northeast Conference. The school's sports teams are called the Mountaineers and compete the in the following sports:
The athletics teams of Towson University participate in the NCAA's Division I and are members of the Colonial Athletic Association as well as the Eastern College Athletic Conference. The school's sports teams are called the Tigers, and the mascot of the University is named Doc.
| Sport | Gender | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Men's | Schuerholz Park |
| Basketball | Men's & Women's | Towson Center |
| Cross Country | Women's | Oregon Ridge Park |
| Field Hockey | Women's | Johnny Unitas Stadium |
| Football | Men's | Johnny Unitas Stadium |
| Golf | Men's & Women's | Prospect Bay Country Club |
| Gymnastics | Women's | Towson Center |
| Lacrosse | Men's & Women's | Johnny Unitas Stadium |
| Soccer | Men's & Women's | Towson Center |
| Softball | Women's | Towson Center |
| Swimming | Men's & Women's | Burdick Hall |
| Tennis | Women's | Towson Center |
| Track & Field | Women's | |
| Volleyball | Women's | Towson Center |
The United States Naval Academy participates in NCAA Division I in 30 varsity sports.[4] It also fields teams in 12 club sports.[5] The Academy is a non-football member of the Patriot League, a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) independent school, and a member of the Collegiate Sprint Football League (men), Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges (men), Eastern Association of Women's Rowing Colleges, Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League (men), and Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. Navy is also one of approximately 300 members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Although the teams have no official name, they are usually referred to as "Navy", "Midshipmen", or "Mids". The Academy competes in the following sports:
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The University of Maryland, Baltimore County sports teams participate in the NCAA's Division I, and is member of the America East Conference. The school's sports teams are called the Retrievers, and the mascot of the University is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever which has been referred to as both True Grit and Fever.
| Sport | Gender | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Men's | The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC |
| Basketball | Men's & Women's | |
| Cross Country | Men's & Women's | UMBC Stadium |
| Lacrosse | Men's & Women's | UMBC Stadium |
| Soccer | Men's & Women's | UMBC Soccer Stadium |
| Softball | Men's & Women's | Baseball Factory Field |
| Swimming | Men's & Women's | UMBC Natatorium |
| Tennis | Men's & Women's | Tennis Center |
| Track & Field | Men's & Women's | UMBC Stadium |
| Volleyball | Women's |
The University of Maryland, College Park sports teams participate in the NCAA's Division I, and the school is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The school's sports teams are called the Terrapins, and the mascot of the University (pictured right) is a diamondback terrapin named Testudo.
| Sport | Gender | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Men's | Shipley Field |
| Basketball | Men's & Women's | |
| Competitive Cheer | Coed | |
| Cross Country | Men's & Women's | Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field |
| Field Hockey | Women's | Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex |
| Football | Men's | |
| Golf | Men's & Women's | Maryland Golf Course |
| Lacrosse | Men's & Women's | Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex / Ludwig Field |
| Soccer | Men's & Women's | Ludwig Field |
| Swimming | Men's & Women's | Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium |
| Tennis | Men's & Women's | Tennis Center at College Park |
| Track & Field | Men's & Women's | Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field |
| Volleyball | Women's | |
| Water Polo | Women's | Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium |
| Wrestling | Men's |
The Bowie State University athletic teams are members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Their teams are called the Bulldogs and compete in the following sports:
The Washington Adventist University athletic teams are members of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. Their teams are called the Pioneers and compete in the following sports:
Frostburg State athletic teams are members of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. Their teams are called the Bobcats and compete the in the following sports:
Goucher College athletic teams are members of the Landmark Conference. Their teams are called the Gophers and compete the in the following sports:
Hood College's athletic teams are members of the Capital Athletic Conference. Their teams are called the Blazers and compete the in the following sports:
McDaniel College athletic teams are members of the Centennial Conference. Their teams are called the Green Terror and compete in the following sports:
Notre Dame athletic teams are members of the Colonial States Athletic Conference. Their teams are called the Gators and compete in the following sports:
Except for the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays lacrosse team, Johns Hopkins athletic teams are members of the Centennial Conference and compete in the following sports:
Salisbury University athletic teams are members of the Capital Athletic Conference except for the football team which plays in the Atlantic Central Football Conference. Their teams are called the Seagulls and compete the in the following sports:
Stevenson University athletic teams are members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference as well as the Capital Athletic Conference. Their teams are called the Mustangs and compete the in the following sports:
St. Mary's College athletic teams are members of the Capital Athletic Conference. Their teams are called the Seahawks and compete the in the following sports:
Washington College athletic teams are members of the Centennial Conference, except for the sailing team which competes in the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association. Their teams are called the Shoremen/Shorewomen and compete in the following sports:
The Baltimore Catholic League (BCL), is a competitive basketball association composed of private Catholic high schools in the Baltimore, Maryland geographic area.
The Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (or IAAM) is a girls’ sports conference for private high schools generally located in the Baltimore metropolitan area but extending to various other regions, including the state's mostly rural Eastern Shore.
The Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (or MIAA) is a boys' sports conference for private high schools generally located in the Baltimore metropolitan area but extending to various other regions, including the state's mostly rural Eastern Shore.
Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Associationor (MPSSAA), is the association that oversees public high school sporting contests in the state of Maryland.
The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference or WCAC is a high school athletic league for boys, girls, and co-ed Catholic high schools located around and in Washington, DC, USA.
Horse racing has a very long history in Maryland going back to colonial days. The Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel in the Triple Crown, is run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Presently, Maryland has four Thoroughbred tracks and two Harness Tracks.
| Track Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fair Hill Training Center | Elkton, MD | Thoroughbred |
| Laurel Park Racecourse | Laurel, Maryland | Thoroughbred |
| Ocean Downs | Berlin, Maryland | Harness |
| Pimlico Race Course | Baltimore, Maryland | Thoroughbred |
| Rosecroft Raceway | Fort Washington, MD | Harness |
| Timonium Racetrack | Timonium, Maryland | Thoroughbred |
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