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CAMPS & SPECIALTY PROGRAMMING
Official website: www.ripkencamps.com
Toll-free number: 800-486-0850
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL CAMPS
 Passing along the craft of baseball to young ballplayers everywhere is something about which Cal and Bill Ripken are very passionate. This passion to teach and grow the game at the grassroots level was instilled by their father, the late Cal Ripken, Sr.Ripken Baseball began hosting youth camps and clinics across the country in 1999, but their sights were set much higher. On September 6, 1995, the night Cal broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games record, the Major League Baseball Player’s Association presented Cal with a check for $75,000 to build a “field of dreams” in his hometown of Aberdeen, Maryland. This spurred the vision for what is now known as the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, just 35 miles north of Baltimore.  In 2006, over 2,000 youth ball players from 42 states and 8 foreign countries passed through the complex for both day and overnight baseball and softball programming. These campers receive daily instruction from our advanced staff at a camper to staff ratio of 8:1, with a focus on individual instruction in the mornings and team fundamentals in the afternoons. Ripken Camps offers a Rookie Camp for 7 & 8 year olds, and a standard weeklong camp for ages 9 up to 18.The Ripken Academy consists of a youth-sized version of Oriole Park at Camden Yards- known as Cal Sr.'s Yard- and youth-sized replicas of Wrigley Field, Fenway Park and Memorial Stadium. Four skinned softball fields were added in 2005 when softball programming was brought into the mix. The academy also boasts a one-of-a-kind circular training infield, batting cages and a tee/soft-toss area. Additions on the horizon for the Ripken Academy include a new 90 foot diamond, on-site dorms for campers, and continued facilities expansion that will provide additional batting cages, infield training islands and pitching mounds. COACHING CLINICS  Ripken Coaching Clinics provide a unique instructional session for coaches, parents and baseball enthusiasts. Over the past couple of years, Ripken Baseball's Clinics have become increasingly popular and respected as one of the best baseball coaching forums in the nation. This is our sixth year of running Coaching Clinics; with each year, the program has expanded to cover many important aspects of the game.This year's Coaching Clinics feature insightful advice and instruction from 21-year Major League veteran and 19-time All-Star Cal Ripken, Jr., 12-year Major League veteran Bill Ripken and several of their former pro teammates. The clinic is designed for coaches and parents of players at all levels, including those who are involved with instructional leagues as well as those working at the high school and collegiate levels. "We have always believed that the most efficient way to extend our message about teaching the game of baseball is through coaches and parents," says Cal. The exciting day begins with an introduction to "The Ripken Way", with the focus then turning to specific instructional blocks regarding all aspects of the game, including pitching, hitting, fielding, quality practice planning and game preparation. Throughout the day, question and answer sessions are held to afford attendees the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of Cal, Bill and other instructors. This interaction allows clarification and expansion of specific points of interest. FANTASY CAMP – RIPKEN MINOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE  Camp isn't just for kids anymore! For four days, a group of guys put their day jobs on the back burner and hit the road for the ultimate minor league experience that includes baseball, nights out on the town, bus rides and Big League managers.In 2005, campers were treated to the New York-Penn League Experience; playing at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, MD, KeySpan Park in Brooklyn, NY and Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George in Staten Island, NY. In 2006, campers enjoyed the life of a Minor Leaguer when they played in the Sandcastle in Atlantic City, NJ in addition to Ripken Stadium. You will get all this and more at the Ripken Minor League Experience:
The Ripken Fantasy Camp is like nothing you've ever experienced before. You'll spend four days with baseball's Iron Man, Cal Ripken, Jr., big league veteran Bill Ripken and several of their former teammates. Previous managers and coaches include: Mike Bordick, Ben McDonald, Jeff Reboulet, Ken Gerhart, BJ Surhoff, Jim Leyland and more.
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