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TYB Joins Cal Ripken

Tewksbury Youth Baseball strives to give the best baseball experience to players of all abilities, providing a fun, educational experience while maintaining a fair and competitive environment throughout the year. After a lot of research and discussion, the flexibility of Cal Ripken Baseball was a major factor in the Board’s decision to move on from Little League. TYB has complete control of league structure under Cal Ripken baseball, where with Little League we were operating in a two-charter system (American and National) that has proven to be unsustainable for adequate player growth and development. So in the end, Tewksbury Youth Baseball can structure the league in any way it sees fit based on enrollment, ability levels, etc.

Below you will find out some of the differences between Cal Ripken Baseball and Little League, the biggest change being age eligibility. You will not see many other changes out of the gates for the first season of TYB in Cal Ripken Baseball, but some of the rules that Cal Ripken brings to the table will provide great opportunities for growth and development in the coming years.

Proper growth and development, along with a fun and exciting competitive playing field, are high priorities for Tewksbury Youth Baseball. We feel this change puts us in a position to better serve that experience, both in the short and long terms.

What is Cal Ripken Baseball?

Cal Ripken Baseball (ages 4-12) is a division of Babe Ruth Baseball, and is considered one of the fastest growing youth sports organizations in North America. Babe Ruth Baseball has increased steadily from its first 10-team league in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, to its present combined size of well over one million players on some 60,000+ teams in more than 11,000 leagues and over 1.9 million volunteers.

Much like Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball offers postseason tournaments for its chartered members. A tournament team from each chartered local league enters its district tournament. District winners advance to statewide competition, with the successful team qualifying for one of eight regional tournaments. The eight regional champions from across the United States and Canada compete in each World Series.  

Click here for more information on Babe Ruth Baseball, its divisions and its history.

What is the age cut-off for Cal Ripken Baseball?

The age cut-off date is changing from August 31 (Little League) to May 1. So for next season there are a number of 12-year-olds that will be eligible for another season of Majors, and a number of athletes will drop into another age bracket.

Season of 2019 for Tewksbury Youth Baseball:

Cal Ripken: Any player born prior to May 1, 2015 and on or after May 1, 2006 will be eligible for Cal Ripken Baseball League competition.

Senior League: Any player born prior to May 1, 2006 or on or after May 1, 2002 will be eligible for Babe Ruth 13-16 League competition.

Birth Chart for 2019:

What will be the structure of Tewksbury Youth Baseball, and how will it change?

While TYB is keeping the same level structure for next season, there are a few changes.

TYB Levels:

Seniors (13-16YO)
Majors (10-12YO)
AAA (9-12YO - All games next year will be played on the East St. fields)
AA (8-9YO)
Minor Farm / coach pitch (6-7YO)
T-Ball (5YO)
Clinic (4-5YO)

  • One major change this season is 12-year-olds will be allowed to register for the AAA level. In past seasons, all 12-year-old players were required to play at the Majors level. So a parent may “freeze” a 12-year-old in AAA.

  • 10 and 11-year-olds will be eligible to try out and play in Majors, but can also register to participate in AAA only.

  • 9-year-olds will be eligible to try out for AAA, but cannot try out and play in Majors. 9-year-olds can also register to play in AA only.

  • 8-year-olds only play in AA. Minor Farm (coach pitch) is 6 and 7-year-olds. T-Ball is 5-year-old. Clinic is 4-year-olds and first-year 5-year-olds.

  • Another change to the year will be patched umpires will be used in all Majors and AAA games.

What does 50/70 mean?

Many Cal Ripken baseball leagues use what are called 50/70 diamonds at the Majors level. This means the pitching mound is increased from the Little League distance of 46 feet to 50 feet, and base paths are increased from 60 to 70 feet. There are also added base running rules, all in an effort to help with the transition into the larger diamond at the Seniors level.

Tewksbury Youth Baseball will not be utilizing the 50/70 diamond at the onset of the transition from Little League to Cal Ripken baseball. However, the newly constructed L.A. Field converts to a 50-70 field, so the league is set up to explore this opportunity in the future.