Blast Shoots For Championship, Community Engagement

The Blast have their eyes on the Major Indoor Soccer League trophy this week.

But for the long-haul, the professional indoor soccer team has its eyes on the community—the eastern Baltimore County community, in particular.

The team officially introduced its new training grounds Tuesday, with a news conference at the Northeast Regional Recreation Center in Parkville.

"We're really happy to be out here," owner/operator Ed Hale said. "The facility really outclasses where we were, and the people certainly are more easy to deal with than what we used to have in the city."

The team moved to the county from Clarence "Du" Burns Arena in Canton, where the club's offices and training facility were housed for years.

In moving to the county, the team plans to begin a series of clinics for players and coaches in the community.

"We're certainly looking forward to our partnership with Baltimore County. Doing clinics is something that's really in our wheelhouse," Blast president Kevin Healey said. "This is more than just impacting soccer players or kids that want to be soccer players, this is about impacting all the kids in Baltimore County.

"We want to be out there in the school systems, out there in the rec council," he continued. "We want to do some programs that are fun for them. We want to give talks about anti-bullying, anti-drugs, staying away from alcohol, doing well in school. Very simple. Make good decisions in life."

The Blast has built a reputation as a community-first organization over the years, routinely holding free camps and clinics for youth groups, and hosting club teams and parks and recreation programs at its games.

Healey also helps oversee the Baltimore Bays youth soccer organization. Many players volunteer their time in the community outside of team-oriented activities, too.

"Everyone has bought into that," Healey said. "The players know this is our mission. Everybody understands it. Obviously we put together a good team, but we put together a good group of guys, too."

The Blast play this week for another MISL championship. The first game is Thursday in Kansas City. Game 2 will be played at 7:35 p.m. Saturday at 1st Mariner Arena. Should the teams split those games, an overtime session will be played immediately following Game 2.

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said he felt the Blast could build upon the county's championship start to 2013.

"We are the actual home of the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens because they of course train here in Owings Mills. We are extremely proud to now have the Baltimore Blast train here in Baltimore County, and have their headquarters here in Baltimore County."

It panned out well for the Ravens.

He added: "I think it bodes well for the Baltimore Blast."