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SPRING DIVISION

 

Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball Division - Ages 5-15. PCR league provides players a baseball hat and shirt. All-star and tournament participation is an additional fee to cover those costs. Practices will begin once teams are announced after assessments.

League age is measured as age prior to  May 1st, 2020. All players must be within the above-stated age range to play in this league.

Providing training and competitive opportunities with a balanced goal of keeping baseball FUN - especially in the early stages of youth baseball - is foremost for Babe Ruth's Cal Ripken league, which is comprised of the following divisions:

Babe Ruth: For players age 13-15. Even more focus on refining skills and abilities. The season will consist of approximately 16 scheduled games (including pre-seasongames). Expect 1 game each Saturday, (with occasional double-headers) and 1 or 2 weeknight games each week. Teams with enough HS baseball players could have a modified schedule of weekend games only; this modification is at the discresion of the league. Post season tournament participation preps All-star players for the State tournament  and protential Regional and World Series.We plan to have 2 levels of teams: Select and Regular. 1-2 Select Recreation team may be formed in addition to the regular rec. teams. The Select teams may play in tournaments during the rec season and/or play other select teams. Participation on a Select team will be offered post assessments and will cost more than the basic Registration fee to cover additional tournament fees and other games.  Age level of the Select team(s) will be determined by numbers and level of players interested and qualified.  Early Discount - Registration Fee/ Additional fees for the Select team may apply.

Major Advanced  70: For advanced ballplayers ages 11-12. Featuring a 50' pitching distance and 70' base paths. Attendance at PCR clinics is encouraged to help players refine skills in addition to practice. We anticipate having 2-4 teams at this level.  Invitations to join these Select 70 teams will occur post assessments. Select 70 teams will play in Spring tournaments and against other Cal Ripken Select 70 rec teams.  Fees will be charged in addition to the Basic Registration fee to cover extra costs of 2-3 tournaments and Select games. While we anticipate that many all-star players will be selected for these teams, these are NOT the all-star teams and participation on the Select team does not guarantee an all-star roster position.  Nominated players from the Major 60 rec teams may be called up to participate in a Major 70 select game/tournament on a rotating basis. Post-Opening Day,  expect at least 1 practice and 2 game days scheduled per week. Tournament games may be on weekends. Occasional doubleheaders.  Early Discount -  Basic Registration Fee.

Major 60: For ballplayers ages 11-12 (advanced 10s by league invitation) Featuring a 46' pitching distance and 60' base paths, these field lengths are the ones most parents remember from their youth baseball experience. Depending on the assessment results and number of players, we may offer a Major 70 Regular division. PCR reserves the option to make that change to 70'  if we determine it will offer the best development and successful experience for our players. As long as players meet the game requirements, all Major 60 players are eligible to try out and participate in All-Stars if selected post season. Attendance at PCR clinics is encouraged to help players refine skills in addition to practice. Post-Opening Day,  expect at least 1 practice and 2 game days scheduled per week. Occasional doubleheaders. Early Discount  - Registration Fee.

Minor: For ballplayers ages 9-10 (advanced 8 by league invitation) Players build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork. In most regions, this is participants' first experience with post-season All-star tournament competition if selected. Attendance at PCR clinics helps players refine skills in addition to practice. Post-Opening Day,  expect at least 1 practice and 2 game days scheduled per week. Occasional doubleheaders.  Early Discount -  Registration Fee

Rookie: Designed primarily for ballplayers ages 7-8 (and advanced 6 by league invitation), this division makes use of a pitching machine to allow for more hits at the plate and more action in the field. Use of a pitching machine results in more engaged players, more at-bats, and more field experience for all players. For those players ready for player pitching and catching, and those transitioning to minors the following year, there is pitching and catching instruction with game experience in those positions as the season progresses especially during Fall ball.  Attendance at PCR clinics helps players refine skills in addition to practice. Post-Opening Day,  expect at least 1 practice and 2 game days scheduled per week. Postseason tournament team opportunity available through invitation by the league.
Early Discount -  Registration Fee.

FUNdamental: This is designed as an introduction to baseball for the beginner. Team rosters are kept small which result in more at-bat and fielding opportunities. Coaches are placed throughout the field to give immediate instruction to players as they play. This learn by doing style results in games lasting around an hour to retain player's interest in the game. Many of our advanced major players played this style as a supplement to their rec league. Games are on Sunday afternoons with practice/warm-up prior to the game. Early Discount - Registration Fee.

Cal Ripken baseball is by design a more competitive style of baseball than other youth programs. This results in a "truer age" level than found in other leagues. It is discouraged for players to "play up" for reasons of safety, development, and post-season preparation. Any exception requires approval by the player agent of both divisions involved. In lieu of "playing up" on a permanent team, most advanced players are offered the opportunity to fill in at games at the upper level as "swing players".  This allows the player to get the feel of the advanced team without being overwhelmed or discouraged. It is important that advanced players remain the leaders of their age group. Most all-star players are the oldest of their age levels. The small rosters (12) for our teams, offer advanced players plenty of opportunities for extra games at the higher level for no additional cost. Additionally, if we have enough advanced players of an age group we may form a special team (in addition to the rec team) for extra games versus some appropriate teams at the next level. Example: If we have enough advanced 8-year-olds and  Rookies play games during the week, we may form an Elite 8  team that plays versus an appropriate minors team on Saturdays.

PCR wants all players to be challenged to encourage development/continued interest and may adjust the level configurations for each division as needed to provide the best environment for skill development and growth during the recreational season.

The recreational season has a goal of approximately 16 games, weather permitting. This modified season accomodates the full all star season that begins Memorial Day weekend. If there is enough interest, we may be able to extend the season for developing players not participating in all-stars.

Cal Ripken All-Star Summer league tournament teams play within age brackets: 12U, 11U, 10U, and 9U. PCR also fields 8U tournament teams.
9U and 11U all-star teams have the opportunity to pursue tournament play that culminates in a regional tournament. 10U and 12U all-star teams have the opportunity to pursue tournament play that culminates in a world series tournament. Additional Summer tournament league fees and selection required to participate.

Babe Ruth All-Star tournament teams also participate in tournaments in preparation for All-star tournaments (Division, State, World Series)  The age groups 13U,14U, 15U etc. formed will fluctuate depending on the number of qualified participants. Additional Summer tournament league fees and selection required to participate.

Source: http://www.baberuthleague.org/cal-ripken-baseball.aspx

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