This page last modified:  Friday, November 14, 2008 at 08:39 PM

CAL RIPKEN BASEBALL (5-12)

In April of 1987, Cal Ripken, Sr., Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripken took the field together - not as father and sons, but as manager and players.  This was the culmination of a lifelong journey that took the Ripken family from the youth leagues to the major leagues.  From the very beginning, it was evident that Cal, Jr. and Bill would follow in their father’s footsteps, always listening and learning while Cal, Sr. talked about the finer points of the game.  Cal Ripken, Sr. was a father figure and mentor not only to his own sons, but to a multitude of players and coaches

As a player, coach, and manager in the Baltimore Oriole’s organization for over 37 years, he will be forever recognized with developing and teaching the fundamentals of playing the game of baseball the right way - “The Ripken Way.”

Cal Ripken, Sr. passed on his ideals and passion to his sons: “The Ripken Way”.  The approach combines developing and strengthening the fundamental skills of baseball and athletic conditioning with the equally important virtues of work ethic, practice and an understanding and love for the game.  Cal Ripken, Jr. and Babe Ruth League have always shared a common vision:  To provide every youngster the opportunity to play baseball and have fun.  Teaching them to play the game “The Ripken Way” will assure accomplishment of this goal.  In 2000, Babe Ruth League, Inc. and Cal Ripken, Jr. came together to introduce Cal Ripken Baseball, A Division of Babe Ruth League, Inc. for baseball players 5 through 12 years of age.

ROOKIE LEAGUE

Dr. Bobby Brown, former President of the American League, with the help of Babe Ruth Baseball, established “Rookie Leagues” throughout the nation in hope of getting more youngsters playing baseball.

Rookie League is designed for players seven through nine years old.  A pitching machine is used to speed the games along as well as softer baseballs to help reduce the fear factor.  There is a fourth outfielder and a fifth infielder and all twelve players on the roster are placed in the batting order.  The games are six innings in length and are played on a standard youth field of sixty foot base lengths.  The pitching machine is placed forty-six feet from home plate.

The program became part of the Cal Ripken Division in 1987 and has enjoyed steady growth with more than 6,100 teams now chartered.

The program gets high praise from coaches, players, parents and league officials.  Daily accolades of “Fantastic”, “it’s great fun”, “my kids enjoy it”, “players learn quicker”, “very few players quit” are heard around the ball fields of the Rookie League.

For further Rookie League information contact Babe Ruth International Headquarters.

13-YEAR-OLD PREP LEAGUE

In an effort to encourage more participation in the game of baseball, the International Board of Babe Ruth League, Inc. approved at the beginning of the 1976 season the use of the Babe Ruth Baseball Prep League.

Under the Prep League rules, the team rosters must be composed of all 13-year-old players and shall consist of no less than 12 players and no more than 15 players.  In order for the Prep League to be accepted by Headquarters, the local parent program must be a chartered Babe Ruth 13-15 League.

Studies have shown that many young players lose interest in the game of baseball because of not getting a chance to play in games once selected for an organized team.  In addition, it has been found that players have expressed fear in competing with 14 and 15-year-old players who have already experienced one to two years playing on the standard 90-foot diamond.

With the Babe Ruth Baseball Prep League, the 13-year-old player now has that chance to play, thus avoiding the possibility of his losing interest in playing baseball.  Babe Ruth Baseball also features a 13 Year Old World Series.

13-15 DIVISION

Babe Ruth League, the group for 13-14-15 year old players, was founded in 1951.

Each local league chartered is an organization with authority to administer its own program within the framework of the Rules and Regulations and guidance of Babe Ruth League, Inc. officials.

Each state, province or territory in the 13-15 division is operated by an elected State Commissioner, and in most states, there are District Commissioners who assist the State Commissioner with their many duties. (Some states, with the approval from Headquarters, also receive the assistance of Area Commissioners).

In turn, the states are grouped into eight regions with a Regional Commissioner to oversee the Regional operation.  These Regional Commissioners also serve as members of the Board of Directors of Babe Ruth League, Inc.

Teams from each league are eligible to enter tournament competition and move along the tournament trail to the championship tournament - the World Series.

16-YEAR-OLD PREP LEAGUE

Babe Ruth Baseball in its efforts to continue to provide an ongoing learning process for its players, enters the eighth year of a Prep Program for sixteen year-olds.

Under the league rules, the team rosters must be comprised of all 16-year-old players and shall consist of no less than 12 players and no more than 18 players.  In order for the Prep League to be accepted by Headquarters, the local parent program must be a chartered Babe Ruth 16-18 League.  The sixteen year-old prep leagues’ primary objectives are to keep the players involved in organized baseball and continue to learn and improve their baseball skills.

Without a sixteen year-old Prep Program, most sixteen year-olds receive very little game experience and eventually lose interest in baseball.

The 16-year-old division should open opportunities for leagues to add teams to their existing program and more players to compete in tournament play.  Babe Ruth Baseball also features a 16 Year-Old World Series.

16-19 DIVISION

Babe Ruth 16-18 Baseball was born in 1966 and has increased steadily since its inception, adding 19 year-olds in 2003.  The now16-19 division is designed to provide organized regulation baseball competition for 16, 17, 18 and 19-year-old players as a development plateau where they can continue to learn and practice those principles which will help carry them through to a satisfactory and productive adulthood.

The 16-18 division was organized because Babe Ruth League, Inc. was aware its job was far from completed by providing for 13, 14 and 15 year old players.  No organization was making available similar opportunities for young players once they had surpassed the Babe Ruth 13-15 baseball age.  The 16-19 division was designed to again fill a void much the same as the Babe Ruth 13-15 division had filled a similar gap when it became a reality in 1951.

In the 16-19 division, which is played under regulation baseball rules, can be found the opportunity to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, fair play, high morality and democratic spirit which the participant has learned at the Babe Ruth 13-15 level.  The main objective of the 16-18 division is to provide a community-level program which eventually gives the players an opportunity to participate in the 16-19 World Series.

The 16-19 division has rapidly gained much attention and respect from college baseball coaches and major league scouts as a major feeding ground for future collegiate and professional baseball players.

INQUIRY KITS AVAILABLE:  Inquiry Kits containing information on the formation of a Babe Ruth League are available free to any group or person.  To receive a Babe Ruth Inquiry Kit, call, write or fax any of the Babe Ruth Offices or contact your District Commissioner or State Commissioner.