TYA Baseball has been affiliated with the national Cal Ripken program beginning with the 2007 season. This affiliation gives us the opportunity to partner with a fast growing national organization, much like Little League (Williamsport), but with fewer restrictions. The Cal Ripken organization embraces a league structure much like our own, including a transitional "50/70" league for our older players, offers umpire and coaching certifications, and promotes a district, regional, and national "World Series" play-off system.

The following sections try to answer some of the questions you may have about Cal Ripken Baseball:

Why participate in the Cal Ripken Program?

• Ripken provides a proven league structure very similar to TYA that allows flexibility between it's T-ball, Machine pitch, Minors, Majors, and 50/70 transitional programs.
• Unlike some other national organizations, autonomy remains with the local baseball organization with no interference in the day-to-day operations from Ripken headquarters.
• Several area youth associations including Harleysville, Methacton, Whitpain, Audobon and Central Perk are affiliated and may be able to help fill out our intramural schedule along with our travel program schedule.
• Ripken Baseball fully supports the 50/70 transitional program for 11-12 year olds. This format is gaining a strong footing as a way to help players transition from the traditional 46/60 youth field to the 60/90 major league field.
• Ripken Baseball fully sponsors travel tournament trails for 8Us, 9Us, 10Us, 11Us, and both a 46/60 12 year old team and a 50/70 12 year old team.
• Ripken Baseball affiliaton requires only modest national and state membership costs, with TYA paying less than $1.50 per player in 2007.
• Affiliation with a national organization allows TYA to stay on the cutting edge of all things baseball. Along with the 50/70 program, Ripken Baseball supports machine pitch for 7-8 year olds and is instituting coaching certification in 2008.
• Prestige of being associated with one of the largest and fastest growing youth baseball organizations in the country.
• Hey, it's Cal Ripken - what better name stands for the ideals of what is right about the great game of baseball?!

What is the Cal Ripken Tournament Trail?

Just like Little League, Cal Ripken sponsors a summer tournament trail for travel programs ranging from ages 8-12. For the 8U team the campaign ends with a state championship. For the 9-12 year old teams all will have the chance to compete for district, state, and regional championships, with the 10U and 12U teams having a chance to play for a national championship.

What is the impact to TYA (coaches, players, and organization) by joining Cal Ripken?

Unlike Little League, an affiliation with Cal Ripken will allow TYA to retain complete control over the baseball operations. Ripken - through its Region, State and District Commissioners - offers clinics and seminars each year for league officers, managers, coaches, and umpires.

In 2008 TYA coaches will benefit from affiliation by becoming a certified coach through an online training and certification process that Babe Ruth League Inc. and Ripken Baseball Inc. are designing in conjunction with American Sports Education Program.

Players will participate under the auspices of the fastest growing youth baseball organization in the country that recommneds a structure that TYA currently mirrors. Ripken has a growth model specifically designed for all age groups ranging from T-ball, machine pitch and the introduction of the 50/70 program.

Where can I get more information about Cal Ripken Baseball?

For more information you can either contact a TYA Baseball Committe member or go to:

Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Web Site

Pennsylvania Cal Ripken Site

Ripken Baseball Web Site