Fremont CalRipken Baseball: Spring 2012 Divisions
Minor: Recommended for 9 and 10 year olds. Among teammates of their own age and experience level, players continue building and refining their fundamental skills while they begin to understand game strategy. It is at this level that standings are kept. While this division is more advanced than Rookies, it is still considered instructional baseball where every player will play at least 50% of the game and all players bat. At this level player pitch is part of the game as well as some advanced base running rules. Pitching rules and restrictions are in place to protect the welfare of the player. The game is played of a 60 diamond and the pitching mound is 46 from home plate. Regulation games consist of six innings or four innings if a game is called for the mercy rule. The minor divisions goal is to further develop the players fundamentals of hitting, fielding and base running in a positive team environment where player development is the primary focus and emphasis on wins and losses are secondary, helping the player to prepare for the next level.
Rookies
Major
Major: The most experienced level of Cal Ripken Baseball, recommended for 11 and 12 year old players. Cal Ripken Baseball is played under the Official Baseball Rules, but implements some special rules as necessary for the development and welfare of this young age group. The game is played on a 70 foot diamond with a pitching distance of 50 6 feet. In order to encourage the league to train more pitchers, there are rules that set the maximum number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a calendar week. Regulation games consist of six innings or five innings if a game is called for the mercy rule. Standings are kept in this division and competition is emphasized more than in any other division of Cal Ripken Baseball. There is a minimum play rule in effect for all players; 2 defensive innings and 1 at bat per game are considered minimum play. The batting roster is a maximum of only 9 players and unless you are entered into the game defensively you are not eligible to bat. Special base running rules are also in effect simulating a more realistic approach to the game. In the major division the goal of maintaining a positive team environment is as important as in other divisions along with player development, however the level of competition and wins and losses are more emphasized as well. This structure and balance of development and competition helps to prepare the player for the next level and subsequently high school baseball.
T-Ball
