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2012 Cal Ripken World Series

Scott Ready, Friday, 3 August 2012

As the prestigous Cal Ripken World Series quickly approaches, Australia prepares to defend its World Series Skills Competition title won last year.

The 2012 Cal Ripken World Series is being held August 11 to 19 in Aberdeen, Maryland, USA, and will showcase the best eleven and twelve year olds from around the world.

The tournament is named after Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr, who spent twenty-one seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and currently holds the record for most consecutive games played, with 2,632 games. Ripken Jr. is an avid supporter of youth baseball player development.

“It’s our goal that each youngster who plays in the Cal Ripken Baeball division will not only learn the basics of the game, but will also experience the same level of excitement I felt every day when I put on my uniform and got ready to play. There’s nothing else like it!” said Ripken Jr.

Currently, over 700,000 kids, ages 5 to 12, play Cal Ripken Baseball worldwide. Cal Ripken Baseball has accumulated a seven per cent annual growth rate since 1999, making it a premiere, and internationally respected baseball league.

The Cal Ripken World Series is held once a year, inviting ten U.S. teams and six international teams. Australia has been participating since 2002, and has experienced success along the way.

In 2011, Australia won the prestigious Cal Ripken World Series Skills Competition. As part of the opening ceremony a Pre-Tournament Skills Competition is conducted demonstrating a range of skills; Home Run Derby, Turn Two (ground ball doubles), Golden Spike (base running) and Bean Bob (throwing accuracy). This was the first time an Australian team had won this competition.

The tournament is a great experience for both developing and enthusiastic young baseball players. These young competitors will benefit from the professional major-league quality fields, the covered dugouts, the incredible practice facilities, and the lighted fields.

Plus, nothing gets your heart racing more than hearing over the PA system: “At bat, Number 8…”.

Players will also benefit from the opportunity to face strong international competition. This year Australia will compete against Canada, Dominicana, Harford, Japan, Maryland, Mexico, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest Plains, New England, Ohio Valley, Pacific NW, Pacific SW, Korea, Southeast, Southwest.

To be eligible to play in the 2012 Cal Ripken World Series, athletes must be born on or after 1 May 1999. Players who are part of the winning National Little League Championship roster going to the Asia Pacific Championships do not qualify for selection.

The Australian Baseball Federation wishes our Australian competitors the best of luck in the 2012 Cal Ripken World Series!

To stay updated on news, highlights, and game scores, make sure to visit www.baseball.com.au or “like” our ABF Facebook page!