Pokémon is kicking off its 2027 regional season right here in Baltimore, bringing competitive Pokémon action to its fans on the East Coast this coming weekend. From Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 20, the Baltimore Convention Center will host the 2027 Pokémon Baltimore Regional Cha mpionships. 2024 World Championships at the Honolulu Convention Center. Photo Credit: The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) Trainers can participate in competitions all weekend, which will include tournaments for Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokémon Video Game (VG), and Pokémon GO. (A “Trainer” is a character who captures, breeds, trains, and cares for Pokémon.) The Pokémon TCG and VG tournaments have Junior, Senior, and Master levels. Players will compete for the title of Pokémon Regional Champion, Championship Points, and a portion of over $130,000 in prizes, scholarships, and gift cards. Fans can also attend as a spectator to enjoy the action and excitement without the pressure of competing themselves. Spectators can watch the action on the main stage and compete in side events to win prize tickets they can use to redeem prizes at the Prize Wall. There will be on-site vendors with the latest Pokémon merchandise as well. Fans unable to attend in person can watch all the action online via Twitch and YouTube so they can stay up-to-date on the competition. Registration for the three tournaments closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16. As an aside, when baseball season began, Major League Baseball asked a cross-section of players who their favorite Pokémon was. Many chose Pikachu as their favorite, but the two Orioles who made the video’s cut had other ideas. Important Orioles’ Pokémon feelings. Via @Courtyard.io Instagram account Superstar first-baseman Pete Alonso’s pick was “Blastoise, the big turtle with the water guns on the shoulders.” “That guy’s pretty sick,” was Alonso’s professional assessment. Colton Cowser, center fielder, used the most words to not answer the question, but listed the Pokémon-related goal he was striving for. “I’m just trying to master set the Mega Evolution Base,” Cowser said. “I’m, like, four cards away.” Well, Mr. Cowser, if you haven’t yet acquired those cards, there will be some vendors just up the street this weekend, if you have some time before reporting to the Camden Yards for warm-ups. View this post on Instagram ...read more read less