| Age: | Will consist of only 11 and 12 year olds (with birth date cut offs defined by national rules – currently 4/30). Our goal is to have as many players as possible playing. |
| Philosophy: | The Majors Baseball Program is designed to be a competitive program that plays in a Dane County league or a league of similar competitive teams and has both state and national affiliations. The national program has leagues played on different diamond layouts. Diamonds may have 60’ or 70’ bases with 46’ and 50’ pitching mounds respectively; our current league is 50 / 70. Cross Plains may assemble as many teams in the age group as is deemed fitting for a given season; typically two (2). Teams that are selected may play over 20 games including league games, 3 weekend tournaments, and state tournament. All 11 & 12 year olds who wish a more competitive program can choose for an evaluation to play on Cal Ripken baseball team. Those players who are selected will play on a Cal Ripken baseball team. Cal Ripken baseball teams may be formed consisting of all 11 year olds or all 12 year olds. There can also be teams formed that consist of both 11 and 12 year olds. The makeup of the teams each year will be decided by a combination of registration numbers, commitment, and coaches for this age group. Cal Ripken players will play both league and tournament play. The schedule may include Cal Ripken league play, Cal Ripken State Tournament play, or other highly competitive programs. Evaluations for competitive play will be held in early April to allow for the selection of teams. During this evaluation process we will determine the commitment level of the registrants and pick teams accordingly. It is our intent to find a place and a team for all kids in the baseball program. Those that are not chosen to play baseball can sign up for the Cross Plains Village League. |
| Season: | The season begins in mid-May. Games are typically on Tuesday and Friday evenings beginning at 5:30 p.m. Game times are tentative and may change after the league scheduling meeting. Home game times will be 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. All games are played at Baer Park on the small diamond. Depending on the league selected all games are usually over by mid to end of July. There is a Cal Ripken State Tournament for 12 year olds and for 11 year olds that takes place after the season. It is possible that a team or teams will choose to play in the Cal Ripken State Tournament. It is also possible that this age group could choose to play in a series of tournaments not connected to the Cal Ripken program but certainly suitable for the age group. There are Cal Ripken State Tournaments for both age groups at both the traditional 46/60 distance as well as 50/70 distance. Coaches for League Teams and for Tournament teams will be selected by the coaches with the support and approval of the Cross Plains Baseball Committee. |
| Team Composition: | Players for the Cal Ripken baseball program are selected through an evaluation which may combine a workout as well as any previous experience that a player has had in the CP Baseball program. All teams will be selected in a draft held by the coaches selected to participate in the program. It is the intention of the CP Baseball program to include as many participants in the Cal Ripken program as possible. All interested players are encouraged to attend the evaluations to maximize their opportunity to make a team. Teams will have a maximum of 15 players and are typically comprised of 12-14 players. Cal Ripken Dane County rules provide that no more than 8 players per team can be 12-year old players. Should teams choose to play in the Cal Ripken program the makeup of league teams will adhere to these guidelines. Teams are organized based on the results of the evaluation and previous experience in the program and will be picked during the league draft. Typically the top eight (8) 12-year olds are on one team and the top eight (8) 11-year olds are on the other team; or all 11-year olds and all 12-year olds. Cal Ripken teams are allowed three (3) tournaments along with the state tournament. |
11/12 YEAR OLD LEAGUE
- Games are played on Monday and Friday typically
- Any player kicked out of a game is suspended for the next game
- Games not played count as ½ win ½ loss. Must have 9 players to start game
- 10 run rule after 4 innings
- Will be using the full Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth website for scheduling and reporting scores
- 11 year old 50/70 state tournament
- 12 year old 50/70 state tournament
- Cal Ripken patches are required on left arm of jersey
- Certifications for managers and coaches are required
- Background checks for all levels – Babe Ruth League, Inc. programs nationwide are required to annually conduct a background check on all managers, coaches, board of directors’ members, as well as any other persons and volunteers, who provide regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players or teams
- DROPPED THIRD STRIKE 6.09(b) – The batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by an umpire is not caught, providing 1st base is unoccupied of 1st base is occupied with two out
- Major 70 Rule 8.05(c) – Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk
- April 30th is the cut-off date for age
- Maximum number of 12 year olds per team is 8
- Pitching Limitations – 6 innings per week
- 1 Manager and 2 Coaches only in the dugout
- Anyone warming up a pitcher must wear a mask including coaches
- Umpires, Managers, and Coaches – no cell phones on the field
- Contact Rule – If a runner attempts to reach homeplate or another base intentionally and maliciously runs into a defensive player in the area of homeplate or a base, he will be called out and ejected from the game
- Fake Bunt/Slash Bunt – A batter is out for illegal action when the player fakes a bunt and then takes a swing, thus eliminating a player from fake bunting the ball. Penalty: batter is out, ball is dead, and no runner may advance
