7229. Go to the Cal Ripken World Series

 The hubby decided two years ago that he has done his last Babe Ruth World Series in Iowa. He decided to give up travel umpire and stick close to home. We planned a vacation to Texas and even bought tickets for the Rangers game in hopes of seeing Otani pitch. Then he gets a text asking if he would do the Cal Ripken World Series in Crown Point, IN for one last hurrah. Of course, Babe Ruth would ruin my vacation plans again. No I'm not bitter or anything... it's 110 in Texas...

Cal Ripken League is the baseball for agents 6-12 where as Babe Ruth League is for 13-18 under the same organization. There is also a softball diversion. Unlike Little League that only showcases the 12 year old World Series, Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth has World Series for ages 8 up to 16-18. The hubby has only done Babe Ruth World Series (along with many regionals) mostly 14 year olds. While Little League World Series is always in Williamsport, PA, Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth World Series are in various cities across the US with the exception of the 12 Majors (50/70) being in Branson. 

The World Series is a week long tournament featuring pool play and then bracket play. Bracket play depends on how many teams and if all teams advance. Traditionally it is 10 teams and the top 3 in each pool advance. Crown Point had 24 teams and 16 teams advancing to bracket play -- 8 in the World Series bracket (winners bracket) and 8 in the Iron Man bracket. 

Like usual, I arrived for the last two days of the tournament. Usually I fly out and we road trip back. Since the hubby was so close, he just came home and picked me up. No road trip for us either this year. 

The complex was perfect for a tournament. There were two diamonds going all week except for the championship day. There was plenty of seating and a great concession stand. Except for the championship game, I sat in the outfield when the hubby was on the field or hung out with the umpires when he was not. Climbing over seats to avoid making people move is not advised and could lead to injury and interesting bruises.

The baseball was typical 10U baseball. Some really good baseball and some not so good baseball. The championship game was Alabama versus Arkansas. Alabama ended up winning. The hubby had the dish for the championship game which was fitting for his last World Series. 

Like any other World Series, it is a great tournament to showcase your community and teams. Even Babe Ruth has been known to put a kink in my travel plans, the World Series have been fun events and I really didn't mind going to them. It was fun to see teams from all around the country. You never know what star of today will make it to the majors and then you can say you saw them in when they were 10 or 14. 

I would recommend if a World Series comes to a town near you and you are a baseball fan, pay the daily admission fee, support your local community, and watch some good baseball. The hubby and I always say the semi-finals are always better than the finals.