The Crusade to Cal-ville

Today is the opening of the 10th Annual Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen. The international tournament is the culmination of the Babe Ruth League’s 12u Cal Ripken division. More than 200 players from around the world will compete. The tournament includes ten teams from regions across the United States and six from around the world. This year, the US and international championship games, along with the World Series final, will air on the MLB Network.

While this may be the marquee event of the summer, it is far from the only youth-oriented baseball activity at the world renown Ripken Baseball facility. Camps and tournaments bring youngsters of all skill levels from all over the country to learn “The Ripken Way” from Cal and his brother Bill all season long. In 2008, this baseball village welcomed players and families from 45 states with more than 10,000 participants and over 40,000 visitors.

While the program’s emphasis on fundamentals and hard work are responsible for its professional reputation, the facility enjoys legendary status among the bubblegum set. Ripken Baseball, with its scale model stadiums modeled after Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Memorial Stadium and Camden Yards, is awe-inspiring to the young athletes who play there. Those factors (not to mention its illustrious name) have given Aberdeen its own base on the “Field of Dreams” of aspiring players everywhere.

I was Googling for something from a local paper about the opening of CRWS. What I found was even more enlightening, because it puts this event and the Ripken facility in a context we should all appreciate.

There were stories from hometown newspapers (and even television stations) around the country about their all-star teams on their way to Aberdeen. Reading about the excitement and local pride felt in these towns is to understand how much youth baseball is a part of the community fiber, and what a really big deal the Ripken World Series is.

Some of the kids sounded like they were on a pilgrimage to a holy shrine when asked how they felt about their journey to Ripken.

My favorite was a kid in Missouri. He told a reporter about the bathrooms in the dugout at the Ripken complex. That seemed to impress his teammates even more than the grass infields.

In Danbury, the team got a call from Governor Jodi Rell as they boarded the bus, telling them how proud Connecticut was of them. Governor Rell thoughtfully sent a package of snacks for the bus trip to Maryland. (Once a sports mom . . . )

The stories went on and on. Another bus sendoff in Brick, New Jersey, community contributions to help pay expenses for the delegation from Bakersfield, California. Predictions of victory from Lexington, Kentucky.

They relate the universal appeal of youth sports as a family activity. Even when the economy struggles, parents do what it takes to keep kids active and engaged in their sports dreams. If that sport happens to be baseball, you know where Aberdeen, Maryland, is. It's an experience you’d love to share that with your child.

While Ripken Baseball may be the best known of the youth sports facilities and programs in our state, it is certainly not alone. Aloha Lacrosse and Elite Soccer draw youngsters from throughout the region for their tournaments. Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, the home training facility of Michael Phelps, is recognized for its program for top swimming prospects under the direction of Bob Bowman.

Maryland has the opportunity to take a bigger slice of the youth sports competition market because of the home grown talent and wide range of facilities we have here. Terry’s focusing on that very subject in a discussion with recreation and parks officials today in Ocean City. As he does, there’s no better case in point than the action now underway in Aberdeen (where they have bathrooms in the dugout.)