WEEK-LONG EXPERIENCES | WELCOME PACKET THE RIPKEN EXPERIENCE ABERDEEN
Dear Team,
Thank you for choosing The Ripken Experience Aberdeen as your Summer Tournament destination. We’re certain that you’ll enjoy the complex and find that it has everything you need to kick off your season, The Ripken Way.
Please take some time to review the following information. We recommend holding a team meeting, so all participants are fully informed of the facility policies and general information before arriving.
Several thousand players, coaches, and families have walked through the gates since our Grand Opening in 2003. Whether this is your first trip or one of many, we wish you a memorable week of baseball and family fun here in Aberdeen, MD.
Sincerely,
THE RIPKEN EXPERIENCE ABERDEEN RIPKENBASEBALL.COM 1 WELCOME TO THE RIPKEN EXPERIENCE ABERDEEN Located in Cal and Bill’s hometown, The Ripken Experience™ Aberdeen treats youth players like Big Leaguers as they make their way across replicas of some of the most notable MLB parks of the modern era.
To ensure that your Experience with us is first-class, our Team Coordinator is available to assist you every step of the way. To get in touch, please contact Scott Bradley at [email protected] or 443-327-8048 (office) / 410-322-8532 (cell).
TRAVEL INFORMATION Airport and Ground Transportation BWI Airport is located approximately 45 minutes south of the complex. Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Southwest and US Airways fly into BWI Airport. Enterprise Car Rental (410)-273-7711 www.enterprise.com/ripkenbaseball National Car Rental www.nationalcar.com ADDRESS The Ripken Experience Aberdeen 873 Long Drive, Aberdeen, MD 21001 Phone: (410) 306-7599
ACCOMODATIONS INFORMATION We offer a variety of adjacent accommodation options, featuring the Courtyard by Marriott, overlooking Cal Sr.’s Yard. Check out availability and a full list of our partners by visiting www.ripkenbaseball.com/aberdeen-accommodations.
The Ripken Experience staff can assist you and your team in finding the best places to stay here in Aberdeen. For additional lodging details please contact us at (410) 306-7599.
THE RIPKEN EXPERIENCE ABERDEEN RIPKENBASEBALL.COM 2 WEEK-LONG EXPERIENCE WEATHER POLICIES
Inclement Weather Policy In the event of rain we will do everything in our power to stay as close to the game schedule as possible. However, due to limited field availability, we may have to deviate from the printed schedule. If and when we need to alter the schedule, we use the following procedures/priorities as our guide: • Our first priority is always to make sure that each team plays its minimum number of games. - We will try to maintain the original schedule as best we can. - In the event of weather/darkness, it may not be possible to accommodate schedule requests. • We will attempt to have a championship game. - We may eliminate the quarter-final or semi-final round to ensure a championship game.
Lightning Policy
• When lightning approaches within 8-20 miles, staff will monitor the storm activity and prepare for possible suspension of games. • When lightning is detected within 8 miles, all games will be suspended. At that time, players, coaches and spectators should proceed to their cars. All fields, batting cages, and training areas are closed until the staff clears the complex for play. • Games will resume once the lightning has moved outside of the 8 mile radius from the complex for a period of 15 minutes.
WEEK-LONG EXPERIENCE SCHEDULE
All teams participating in our Week-Long Experience can expect the following in regards to the game schedule. Certain changes may be made depending upon the final number of teams in each tournament. Final tournament schedules will be posted at www.ripkenbaseball.com and e-mailed to coaches 7 - 10 days prior to your tournament.
Sunday*: Check-in, Managers' Meeting, Opening Ceremony, Skills Competitions Monday - Wednesday: Pool Play Thursday: Pool Play / Elimination Round Friday: Semi-Final and Championship Games *Subject to change based on health & safety protocols
PLAYER / COACH GIFTS
All registered players and coaches will receive a gift from The Ripken Experience as a part of their registration fee. These will be distributed at check-in. The Ripken Experience is not responsible for lost or stolen gifts after they are distributed to teams.
THE RIPKEN EXPERIENCE ABERDEEN RIPKENBASEBALL.COM 3 SKILLS COMPETITIONS (subject to change) The Ripken Experience will conduct a Skills Competition for each age group during our summer Week- Long Experiences. Each player on the team must compete in one event with 1 player in the Home Run Derby, 6 players in the Turn Two Competition, 3 players in the Outfield Relay Competition, and 4 players in Golden Spikes Competition.
Home Run Derby • One player from each team will participate in the Home Run Derby. • Any adult will pitch to their player and each team should have a player in full catcher’s gear ready when their team is up. The pitcher should be loose prior to his/her team's turn for the derby. • Each player will have one minute to accumulate as many points as possible. • Whenever the ball hits the ground, is caught or crosses the fence fair or foul, the pitcher may throw the next pitch. • Home Run Derby scoring is as follows (ball must be fair): • Home Run (over the fence) = 5 POINTS • A ball that lands on the warning track or hits the outfield wall in the air = 3 POINTS • A ball that lands past the designated line in the outfield = 1 POINT • The player with the most points will be the champion. Golden Spikes Competition
• Each team will have four (4) players that will compete in the Golden Spikes Competition. • Two of the players will start at home plate and the other two will start at 2B. • This competition is a relay race. Runner A starts with a foot on home plate and will run to 2B. Once Runner A touches 2B, Runner B will take off (must start with foot on 2B) and run Home. When Runner B touches Home Plate, Runner C will take off (must start with foot on the plate) and run to 2B. Runner D will start with a foot on 2B and leave once Runner C touches 2B. • Time will start on the first movement of Runner A and end when Runner D touches Home Plate. This event will be run twice. We will use the team's lowest time. • The team with the lowest time will be the winner.
Turn Two Competition
• Each team will have a fielder at all six (6) infield positions (P, C, 1B, 2B, SS, and 3B). • A machine will roll the ground ball to a fielder. The fielder must catch the ground ball and then throw to the appropriate base to start the double play. The next fielder will then throw to 1B to complete the double play. The 1B (or P covering first) will then throw the ball back to the catcher. • Once the C receives the throw and places the ball in the bucket, the machine will release the next ground ball. • MISSED GROUND BALL - The fielder can choose to play the ball or raise his hand for a new ground ball. • OVERTHROW - If there is an overthrow, the player that was to receive the throw can choose to go after the ball or pick up a replacement ball. In either case, the player must first touch the base that the overthrown ball was originally intended for, and then throw to the next base. • The competition will be timed from the start of the first ground ball to the completion of the final double play. A failure to record any one of the “outs” will result in a 3 second penalty. Each team will run this competition twice and we will use the team's lowest time. The team with the lowest time will be the winner.
THE RIPKEN EXPERIENCE ABERDEEN RIPKENBASEBALL.COM 4 SKILLS COMPETITIONS CONTINUED (subject to change)
Outfield Relay Competition
• Three (3) players from each team will participate in this event. Player A will be in the outfield (at the designated location). Player B will be the cut-off man and will start with 1 foot on either 1B or 3B. Player C will be playing catcher and will start with both feet in the designated circle. • A baseball will be placed 230 feet from home plate in left center and one in right center. When the horn blows, Player A will retrieve the ball while Player B gets into position to receive the relay throw. Player A must throw the ball to Player B and Player B will then throw the ball to Player C. Player B can receive the throw in any location. • Player C must receive the throw from Player B and have control of the ball with both feet inside the designated circle near home plate. • This competition is a timed format. We will run this competition twice. • The team with the lowest time will be the winner.
FACILITY INFORMATION Climate / What to bring Typically you can expect 85-90 degree weather with high humidity. We highly recommend keeping hydrated and wearing sunscreen at all times. Portable tents, chairs, and coolers are allowed inside the facility. Parking There is plenty of FREE parking available for all visitors at The Ripken Experience Aberdeen. Admission There will be NO GATE FEE at any of our events. We encourage family and friends to come to the complex to cheer on the athletes and show their support.
No Alcohol or Tobacco Products Absolutely no alcohol or tobacco products will be permitted inside The Ripken Experience complex. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in being asked to leave the property.
Merchandise The Ripken Experience merchandise will be on sale throughout the tournament. Tournament shirts will be available to purchase online and due one month prior to your event. Details on how to order will be sent to your main contact/coach and all registered participants prior to May 1. We highly encourage participants to pre-order their shirts in order to ensure you receive the correct size. A limited number of tournament shirts that are not pre-sold will be available at the Retail Stand on a first come first serve basis.
Pets With the exception of service animals, pets are not permitted at The Ripken Experience for liability reasons.
First Aid / Certified Athletic Trainers A certified athletic trainer will be on-site at The Ripken Experience (All full-time staff are First Aid, AED, and CPR certified).
Photography Service Major League Photos is the official photographer of The Ripken Experience Aberdeen. Take home action photo memories of your official Ripken Experience. Register to be a VIP - Very Important Player. When you register to be a VIP, you are guaranteed action photos. Sign up early today at www.majorleaguephotos.com.
THE RIPKEN EXPERIENCE ABERDEEN RIPKENBASEBALL.COM 5 BASEBALL PROGRAMMING
Practices Teams are welcome to use The Ripken Experience turf circle and batting cages for practices throughout the week they are here. Our practice facilities will be closed following the Championship game on Friday as we will be preparing for our following event.
Team Uniforms Teams are required to bring and wear their own uniforms. Each player on the team should have a unique number displayed on their jersey.
Dress Code for Coaches Managers and coaches are not required to be in uniform during the games. However, we do expect the adults on the field to be dressed appropriately. All paid coaches will receive an identification badge at the beginning of the tournament. Coaches must wear their badge in the dugout at all times. Ripken Tournament Officials reserve the right to make an on-site badge inspection at any time. Those found to be abusing their badge are subject to expulsion from the facility.
Sunflower Seeds / Gum No sunflower seeds or gum are allowed in the dugouts or on the playing field, as these substances ruin the turf and block drainage.
Managers’ Meeting There will be a mandatory managers’ meeting held before the tournament begins. All team managers must attend, and coaches are encouraged to attend as well. The time and location of the meeting will be on the official run-of-show. The Mangers’ Meeting will address all tournament rules, activities, and all team and personal behavior expectations.
Awards A team trophy and individual awards will be presented to the champion and runner-up teams. Also, a championship game MVP award will be given to each age group within the tournament.
Pin Trading Typically, teams do not trade pins at The Ripken Experience. However, teams are welcome to trade pins on their own. The Ripken Experience does not organize any formal pin trading sessions.
Batboy / Batgirl Teams are permitted to have ONE batboy/batgirl and they do not have to be paid for. Batboys/ batgirls must be younger than the team’s participants and must wear a helmet at all times. Batboys/ batgirls should not be included on the team’s official roster. You must inform your Team Coordinator if you’d like a batboy/batgirl in order to receive a badge for them.
Umpires All pool play and single elimination games will have 2 umpires, including the championship game. Certified umpires will be chosen from a professional organization.
Baseballs / Equipment Game balls will be provided by The Ripken Experience for all games. Teams are to bring their own practice balls. A cooler will be provided in each dugout with ice water and cups for each game. All other baseball and safety equipment is the responsibility of each team.
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