Bayhawks Moving North to Annapolis

Inside Lacrosse's John Jiloty is reporting that the Washington Bayhawks are moving to Annapolis. They will play at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, home of Navy football and lacrosse. This will mark the sixth stadium the Bayhawks will call home at one point. They had previously played at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, but they played one game in Annapolis this year, their highest attendance draw all year with 5,792. The average attendance at a game in Fairfax was just over four thousand.

Other home stadiums that the Bayhawks have played home games in the past include Homewood Field in Baltimore, M&T Bank Stadium, Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, the Multi-Sport Field in Georgetown, and George Mason according to Jiloty.

I was at the Bayhawks-Cannons game this past summer in Annapolis, and it was a great showing. The stadium's lots has plenty of room for tailgating and the stadium itself had plenty of places for activities for all ages, including fields for kids to run around and a beer tent on the upper level so people can go drink some beer and enjoy the game.

I admit I've never been to George Mason, so I don't know how they hosted Bayhawks games, but since the Annapolis game was the highest attended home game for the Bayhawks this past season, I can't imagine it is a better atmosphere. But mainly, it is a little odd that a team that calls itself Washington plays in Virginia. It is different with other professional teams, like the New York Giants being in New Jersey, because pro lacrosse doesn't have a lot of popularity and putting a Washington team in Virginia just seems a little odd.

But I like this move. By putting the team in Annapolis, you are able to put the team is reasonable proximity with the Washington and Baltimore markets plus Annapolis has a pro team they can call their own. It is a real shame that the Bayhawks franchise has had so much trouble staying in one place, especially because Baltimore is the capital of lacrosse, but maybe this will work out better for them.

(Photo credit: Major League Lacrosse)