Our Baseball Tournament Experience at Shipyard Park, Charleston, SC

If your baseball travels are taking you to Shipyard Park in Charleston (Actually Mount Pleasant...) South Carolina, you’re in for a treat!

We recently spent four days playing at this beautiful waterfront sports complex for a tournament, and it’s definitely one of our favorite tournament destinations! This is the fourth time we have played at Shipyard Park.

Not only is it a beautiful waterfront facility, I have family in Charleston. I’ve been vacationing here since I was born and lived in Mount Pleasant for a year before moving to Tennessee. Charleston is one of my favorite places to visit - there’s so much to do!

When we come for baseball, it’s mostly just baseball. So come a day early and stay a day later so you can enjoy all there is to do in Charleston!😊

 If you’ve never been to Charleston, the must do is to visit downtown Charleston. It’s absolutely beautiful and so much history! More info below...

About Shipyard Park

Located at Shipyard Park, 2383 Highway 41, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466, this impressive all-turf baseball complex sits along the scenic Wando River. The facility is well-maintained, family-friendly, and designed with both players and spectators in mind.

One of the most unique features of the park is the beautiful riverfront walking path that circles the perimeter of the complex. Between games, it’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, enjoy the waterfront views, and escape the hustle and bustle of baseball for a few minutes.

What We Loved About Shipyard Park

(…Other than it’s in Charleston, duh…😂)

All-Turf Fields

Every field is turf, which means fewer weather delays, no scrubbing pants and no muddy cleats. The fields were in excellent condition throughout the tournament.

Covered Stadium Seating

Leave the tent and chairs at home! One of the best things about Shipyard Park is the abundance of covered stadium seating. Every field offers plenty of comfortable seating for families and fans, making it easy to watch games while staying protected from the sun or an occasional rain shower. There's plenty of seating even if you have a game in between games. Trust me...save the space in your vehicle!

….And yes, coolers are allowed!! 👏🏻

Family-Friendly Atmosphere

If you’re traveling with younger siblings, you’ll appreciate the large playground located in the center of the complex. It provides a great place for the “feral siblings” to burn off some energy during games while parents keep an eye on the action.

There is also plenty of open space for kids to run and play.

Concessions

Tournament food can be hit or miss, but Shipyard Park’s concession stand offers a variety of delicious options. We were pleasantly surprised by both the selection and quality of the food available. Try to chicken quesadilla...so yummy!

Clean Restrooms

Baseball moms know that restroom quality can make or break a tournament experience. The bathrooms were clean, spacious, cool and yes- they even had mirrors. (If you know, you know. 😂)

Swig & Swine BBQ

Located at the entrance to the complex is Swig & Swine, a fantastic barbecue restaurant. Whether you’re looking for lunch between games or dinner after a long day at the ballpark, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Tournament and Park Rules

Before heading to Shipyard Park, make sure to review the tournament rules, especially the pitch count requirements. Make sure you tell your coach! 35 pitch count MAX per day (if not intending to pitch the majority of the game) with 1 day rest before pitching again! Know before you go!!

A few important rules to note:

• No pets allowed.
• No alcohol, tobacco, gum, or sunflower seeds.
• No steel spikes; turf or molded cleats only.
• Small coolers are permitted but will be inspected upon entry.
• Tents are not allowed in concourse areas, walkways, or locations that obstruct seating or views.

Honestly, we didn’t see anyone with chairs or tents because the stadium seating is more than adequate…even if there is a game in between. Trust me, you don't need them! Save your back!

Admission Prices

At the time of our visit:

• Adult Day Pass: $10
• Student/Senior/Military Day Pass: $8
• Adult Four-Day Pass: $35
• Student/Senior/Military Four-Day Pass: $28

Charleston Weather Tips

One thing we learned quickly: don’t panic when the forecast calls for rain all day.

Charleston weather changes rapidly, and rain showers often move through quickly. We saw forecasts predicting rain the whole week, only to end up with mostly overcast or filtered sunshine for most of the days. There was a slight rain delay or two because of thunder and lightning while we were there though. When the sun shines though, it's HOT so hydrate your player and prepare accordingly!

That said, pack an umbrella and a lightweight rain jacket just in case. The covered stadium seating provides excellent protection, so even when showers roll through, you’re usually able to stay comfortable and dry but winds do pick up off the river.

What to Do When You’re Not at the Ballpark

If you’ve never visited Charleston before, make time to explore one of the most charming cities in the South. Actually, it’s my favorite! 😊

A few must-see attractions include:

• Rainbow Row and its iconic pastel-colored historic homes
• Charleston City Market
• Waterfront Park and the famous Pineapple Fountain
• Historic downtown Charleston
• The Battery and White Point Garden

The city’s rich history, waterfront views, incredible restaurants, and Southern charm make it easy to turn a baseball tournament into a family vacation.….And don’t forget to make time for the beach! The beach on Isle of Palms Is where we went. There’s plenty of beach, plenty of parking and a great little downtown area with beachfront restaurants/bars if that’s your thing.

Where to Stay

For tournament families, we highly recommend staying in either Mount Pleasant or Isle of Palms. We stayed at Residence Inn, Mount Pleasant. It's about 15 minutes from the park and 5 minutes from the beach on Isle of Palms.

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant offers numerous hotel options and is only about 15 minutes from Shipyard Park. It’s convenient, family-friendly, and close to restaurants, shopping and the beach on Isle of Palms.

Isle of Palms

If you want to add a beach vacation to your baseball trip, Isle of Palms is hard to beat. You’ll find oceanfront hotels, vacation condos, and beautiful beach rentals.

Wild Dunes Resort

Wild Dunes is another excellent option for families looking for a resort-style experience with beach access, pools, golf, and plenty of amenities.

Final Thoughts

Shipyard Park combines everything baseball families hope for in a tournament destination: outstanding facilities, beautiful waterfront scenery, comfortable seating, family-friendly amenities, and easy access to all that Charleston has to offer.

Whether you’re there for a weekend tournament or a multi-day event, Shipyard Park delivers an experience that goes far beyond the baseball field.

Not just because I have family there, but we would absolutely return and highly recommend it to any travel baseball family heading to the Charleston area.

If you go, please leave a comment about your experience! I'm sure other baseball mamas would welcome your input! If there is something I need to add to this travel guide, please let me know. I'd love to add it!

Have the best time in Charleston and good luck at Shipyard!