ABOUT RIPKEN BASEBALL
Ripken Baseball is a sales and marketing company based in Baltimore, MD that represents all business and philanthropic efforts of Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripken.
Established in 2001, the mission of Ripken Baseball is to grow the game of baseball worldwide "The Ripken Way." Ripken Baseball was formerly known as The Tufton Group that was in operation from 1991-2000. It was originally established to handle all of the off-field opportunities for Cal Ripken, Jr. and establish a business base for Ripken upon his retirement.
Upon Cal's retirement, the organization expanded its focus to include four distinct entities: Ripken Management & Design, Youth Camps and Clinics, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and the Aberdeen IronBirds. A fifth division, Ironclad Authentics, was later formed to oversee Ripken Baseball’s corporate licensing, including the name and likeness of Cal Ripken, while also managing Cal’s signature and developing and operating the new internet on-line retail store – www.ironcladauthentics.com.
With plans to replicate the successful minor league business model that was developed for the Aberdeen IronBirds, Ripken Baseball purchased its second minor league team in 2005: the Augusta GreenJackets. With this purchase, Ripken Professional Baseball was formed with the lofty goal of acquiring 10 teams in 10 years.
The Ripken Baseball Group oversees and manages these six subsidiaries and is responsible for developing, maintaining and growing the brand of Ripken.
The Ripken Baseball website is an informational tool for all subsidiaries of Ripken Baseball.
Please visit the following websites for more detailed information on:
The Aberdeen Complex currently includes Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen IronBirds, and the early stages of the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy. Please visit the Aberdeen Camps and Clinics section of our site to learn more about our ultimate baseball destination.
In addition to its six subsidiaries, Ripken Baseball maintains a solid partnership with Babe Ruth League, Inc. and helps the league with its corporate sponsorships, marketing and league growth. In 1999, Babe Ruth League, Inc. honored Cal by changing the name of its largest division from "Bambino" to "Cal Ripken Baseball." Over 650,000 youth athletes currently play Cal Ripken Baseball worldwide.
Today, the 12 year old division of the Cal Ripken League competes in the Cal Ripken World Series, held annually at our complex in Aberdeen, MD.
Ripken Baseball continues to foster and grow the corporate partnerships that many great brands have built with Cal. In addition, the company works with Keppler Associates, a prominent Northern Virginia Speakers Bureau, to manage the many corporate speaking invitations that Cal receives. Keppler has helped establish Ripken as one of the most sought-after corporate speakers in the country. For more information about how to book Cal or Bill Ripken for a corporate speaking engagement, visit their website at www.kepplerassociates.com
