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Round Rock, the sports capital of Texas

There really is a round rock in Round Rock, Texas. I had expected to see a ball shaped stone, but its more like a disk. Located in a shallow river, it marks the old Chisholm Trail, a famous passageway used in the late 19th century to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas to Kansas and railroad links to the east. A city park near the famous rock has several impressive bronze sculptures of the famous longhorn cattle.

Round Rock is a northern suburb of Austin, Texas (just ten minutes from downtown in light traffic), with a population of about 100,000. It is widely known as the world headquarters of computer giant Dell, Inc. When Dell moved to town in the 1970s, it set in motion plans to revitalize the entire community. Community leaders decided that sports (all kinds of sports) was a means to make their city an important destination, not simply an Austin suburb. Its no accident that its called “The Sports Capital of Texas”.

It has one of the finest outdoor sports and recreation centers in the Texas, maybe the world. With more than two dozen athletic fields devoted to baseball, softball, football, soccer, tennis, volleyball, field hockey, and more, its claims can not easily be dismissed. There’s even a cricket pitch. Possibly the only one in the entire state. What this means is that throughout much of the year Round Rock attracts hundreds of thousands of athletes and fans to the city.

There are many dozens of tournaments in all sports with young athletes from all over Texas and throughout the country. There are Little League baseball championships and college women’s softball tournaments. plus church and community league games. The reason they choose Round Rock is the high quality of the facilities. They are “major league” in every respect — the finest anywhere. A crew of 17 grounds keepers make certain the fields (and the viewing stands) are in perfect condition for every game. Locker rooms, warmup facilities, and concession stands are top notch and well managed as well.

Round Rock is home to the triple A minor league baseball team, The Express, a farm club of the Houston Astros. Home field is Dell Diamond is one of the finest minor league facilities in the country — better than some major league stadiums. The family fun attraction seats 16,000 fans, but there’s so much to do beyond watching the game that you may not spent much time seated.

There are numerous party and picnic areas, plus a refreshing splash pool and spa, an enticing children’s playground and numerous sports games other activities for older kids. Birthday parties are big at Dell Diamond and party kids even get to run on the ball field with Spike the Express team mascot.

The Express ownership group is led by (and the team is named after) Hall of Fame pitcher and Texas native Nolan Ryan. In 1999, Ryan was inducted to the Hall of Fame after 27 years in major league baseball and pitching seven no hit games.

After the game, any game, everyone heads for the city’s landmark bakery shop — Round Rock Donuts. Located next to the old water tower in the city’s old town, it easy to find. Just look for the line of cars at the take-out window or the line of people outside the front door. People come from hundreds of miles to have a Round Rock Donut and for good reason. No kidding, they are possibly the best donuts I’ve ever tasted.

The dough is a golden yellow color which comes from the farm fresh eggs they use (most donut makers don’t use eggs). They sell so many “donut holes” that they must make hundreds of dozens of additional holes each day. They also have a pizza size donut for folks who need a Texas size treat. Best of all, they ship overnight to anywhere in the country. See www.roundrockdonuts.com.

The future of Round Rock is very promising with the opening of two hospitals and medical centers and three colleges. A branch of Austin Community College will open in 2009 with an enrollment of about 5,000 students. Also, Texas A&M, has moved its entire health sciences program from College Park, TX, to the city.

Round Rock to become one of the major center for medical education and services in Texas and the U.S. While all this is happening, city fathers are also transforming the city center. A multimillion dollar project has transformed the “old town” district into a enticing visitor attraction. The new “Town Square” at the center of a thriving business area features restaurants, speciality shops, and a theater.

To learn more about Round Rock, view www.roundrock.com.

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