Ripken Baseball - Growing the game of baseball worldwide The Ripken Way: Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

CAL RIPKEN, SR. FOUNDATION

Official website: www.ripkenfoundation.org

Toll-free number: 1-877-RIPKEN1

Cal Ripken, Sr Foundation - a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr.

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr. We work to create baseball and softball programs and facilities that positively impact disadvantaged youth by combining the principles represented by the Ripken name, the power of Cal, Jr. as a modern day hero and role model, and the universal appeal of baseball. We strive to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences that use the magic of the big leagues to inspire kids to be the best that they can be…to dream a dream that someday they can achieve great things.

However, the challenge is sizable. Today, more than 7 million American kids struggle with poverty, obesity, poor quality of education, the lack of adult role models, or the persistent presence of drugs and violence. Through baseball and softball, the Foundation works with kids in need to instill leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, sportsmanship and healthy habits.

Our Mission
"To use baseball taught "The Ripken Way" as a tool to help young people develop positive character traits such as leadership, teamwork and good sportsmanship, as well as a healthy lifestyle."

Our Program Goals:
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation benefits thousands of youth annually through a variety of community efforts. Our programs employ “The Ripken Way” instructional methods, which teach valuable life lessons, while providing a life-changing experience for youth. Please click here to learn more about our on-the-field and off-the-field programs.

Goal 1: To provide baseball and softball-themed programs that help instill leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, sportsmanship and healthy habits.

On-field programs offer kids from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to learn baseball and softball skills and to gain access to equipment, coaches and facilities that would otherwise be beyond their means.

Participants are offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use professional equipment, wear professional uniforms, play in a state-of-the-art ballpark, meet peers from other walks of life, learn exercise routines that will benefit them for the rest of their lives, and interact with former major leaguers.

They learn the importance of teamwork, the fundamentals of leadership, the sportsmanship of winning, the ability to cope with losing, the importance of hard work and healthy habits, and how to support their teammates.

Parents and Boys and Girls Club counselors and staff notice distinct changes in children who have participated in these programs:

“We have a little girl who never played softball…never played on a team…never played with the kids in the neighborhood. She went to softball camp, and throughout the rest of the summer, she was giving softball instruction to the kids in the neighborhood. It wasn’t something that lasted a couple of hours…she carries it with her.”
-- Boys and Girls Club program director

Click here to learn more about the Foundation's baseball and softball camps.

Goal 2: To supply equipment, funds and support to organizations and communities seeking to promote youth baseball.

The Foundation provides Funding Grants, Equipment Grants and Quickball Grants to community-based organizations and schools to support baseball/softball skill development, community league development and the growth and appreciation of baseball/softball programs at a grassroots level. (Quickball is a fast-paced baseball game designed for indoor/outdoor use.) Click here to learn more about our grants.

Goal 3: To train youth coaches in “The Ripken Way” to help them extend their influence beyond the playing field.

Partnering with school systems, youth organizations, and community recreational leagues, the Foundation provides coaching strategies to thousands of coaches nationwide. By providing training consistent with “The Ripken Way,” youth coaches can extend their influence on youth beyond the playing field. Click here to learn more about our Coaches' Clinics.

Goal 4: To build and run “Cal Sr.’s Yard” as the country’s finest youth baseball facility in Aberdeen, Maryland – a place where youth can interact with role models, heroes and peers.

It is the Foundation’s goal to provide greater access to a professional quality facility built exclusively for kids, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. For this reason, we are constructing Cal Sr.’s Yard, a miniature replica of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, that will memorialize the life and legacy of Cal Ripken, Sr. The Foundation believes it will be the finest youth baseball facility in the world, complete with stadium seating, a tournament quality playing field, press box, lighting, in-ground dug-outs, bullpen, major league scoreboard and other amenities. Cal Sr.’s Yard will be completed in phases as funds become available from individual and corporate donations. Click here to learn more about Cal Sr.'s Yard.


CAL RIPKEN, SR. FOUNDATION Official website: www.ripkenfoundation.org Toll-free number: 1-877-RIPKEN1 About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr. We work to create baseball and softball programs and facilities that positively impact disadvantaged youth by combining the principles represented by the Ripken name, the power of Cal, Jr. as a modern day hero and role model, and the universal appeal of baseball. We strive to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences that use the magic of the big leagues to inspire kids to be the best that they can be…to dream a dream that someday they can achieve great things. However, the challenge is sizable. Today, more than 7 million American kids struggle with poverty, obesity, poor quality of education, the lack of adult role models, or the persistent presence of drugs and violence. Through baseball and softball, the Foundation works with kids in need to instill leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, sportsmanship and healthy habits. Our Mission "To use baseball taught "The Ripken Way" as a tool to help young people develop positive character traits such as leadership, teamwork and good sportsmanship, as well as a healthy lifestyle." Our Program Goals: The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation benefits thousands of youth annually through a variety of community efforts. Our programs employ “The Ripken Way” instructional methods, which teach valuable life lessons, while providing a life-changing experience for youth. Please click here to learn more about our on-the-field and off-the-field programs. Goal 1: To provide baseball and softball-themed programs that help instill leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, sportsmanship and healthy habits. On-field programs offer kids from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to learn baseball and softball skills and to gain access to equipment, coaches and facilities that would otherwise be beyond their means. Participants are offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use professional equipment, wear professional uniforms, play in a state-of-the-art ballpark, meet peers from other walks of life, learn exercise routines that will benefit them for the rest of their lives, and interact with former major leaguers. They learn the importance of teamwork, the fundamentals of leadership, the sportsmanship of winning, the ability to cope with losing, the importance of hard work and healthy habits, and how to support their teammates. Parents and Boys and Girls Club counselors and staff notice distinct changes in children who have participated in these programs: “We have a little girl who never played softball…never played on a team…never played with the kids in the neighborhood. She went to softball camp, and throughout the rest of the summer, she was giving softball instruction to the kids in the neighborhood. It wasn’t something that lasted a couple of hours…she carries it with her.” -- Boys and Girls Club program director Click here to learn more about the Foundation's baseball and softball camps. Goal 2: To supply equipment, funds and support to organizations and communities seeking to promote youth baseball. The Foundation provides Funding Grants, Equipment Grants and Quickball Grants to community-based organizations and schools to support baseball/softball skill development, community league development and the growth and appreciation of baseball/softball programs at a grassroots level. (Quickball is a fast-paced baseball game designed for indoor/outdoor use.) Click here to learn more about our grants. Goal 3: To train youth coaches in “The Ripken Way” to help them extend their influence beyond the playing field. Partnering with school systems, youth organizations, and community recreational leagues, the Foundation provides coaching strategies to thousands of coaches nationwide. By providing training consistent with “The Ripken Way,” youth coaches can extend their influence on youth beyond the playing field. Click here to learn more about our Coaches' Clinics. Goal 4: To build and run “Cal Sr.’s Yard” as the country’s finest youth baseball facility in Aberdeen, Maryland – a place where youth can interact with role models, heroes and peers. It is the Foundation’s goal to provide greater access to a professional quality facility built exclusively for kids, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. For this reason, we are constructing Cal Sr.’s Yard, a miniature replica of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, that will memorialize the life and legacy of Cal Ripken, Sr. The Foundation believes it will be the finest youth baseball facility in the world, complete with stadium seating, a tournament quality playing field, press box, lighting, in-ground dug-outs, bullpen, major league scoreboard and other amenities. Cal Sr.’s Yard will be completed in phases as funds become available from individual and corporate donations. Click here to learn more about Cal Sr.'s Yard.
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