We’re proud to announce our coverage of the Cal Ripken Major/70 National Invitational at Ballparks of America August 8 - 15, 2020. For the past three years, Ballparks of America has hosted the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series, bringing together Babe Ruth chartered teams from all over the world to compete in Branson, Missouri. It’s been an incredible opportunity for American players and families to make memories, build bonds and play with the best of the best – teams from Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Republic of Korea and Dominican Republic.
Ballparks of America, Branson, MO
But everything changed this year. If one thing is for certain, 2020 is teaching us how to manage a heavy dose of uncertainty. “Everything has been unique about this year,” shares Michael Solanik, Major70 World Series Director. The Covid-19 global pandemic pushed the Babe Ruth Organization to initially cancel international team participation, and eventually to cancel all 17 World Series events planned for the year as their tournament trail came to a halt – each state with its own uncertain phased-approach to resuming play.
Michael Solanik continues, “Some of our leagues (state-by-state) have been fortunate enough to play. Others have had to stop mid-way through their season. And some have not played at all, but are hoping to resume their season later in the summer and fall. We had eight regional qualifiers, a national qualifier, and state champions from Arkansas and Missouri would have qualified as well as the host team from Branson, MO. So knowing we had that core group of teams planning on being there, Ballparks of America suggested we keep the gates open and create a National Invitational tournament so these 12-year-old players wouldn’t lose the opportunity to represent their communities at a national level. We then opened it up to all of our chartered organizations across the country to participate.”
Ten teams will battle it out (6-game minimum; two pools) for the title of National Champion. They come from: Southwest (Florence, AL), Branson (Branson, MO), Missouri (Carthage, MO), SE Denver (Denver, CO), Galesburg (Galesburg, IL), Springfield (Springfield, MO), Parsons (Parsons, KS), New England (Norwalk, CT), Pacific Northwest (Kennewick, WA) and Arkansas (Benton, AR). Players have the option to stay with their team on-site in dormitories for the week at the Ballparks of America complex or in hotels with their parents.
To keep everyone as safe as possible, the Babe Ruth Organization and Ballparks of America (managed by Sports Facility Management) have established guidelines for play, teams and patrons. All Babe Ruth League credential books for tournaments have been migrated to digital binders. Ballparks of America offers online viewing of games live and on-demand for family members and fans beyond the stands through their partnership with our HiCast Sports Network.
“The Babe Ruth League is a community-based organization at our very core. With as many things that have been taken away from people throughout this year, we feel this is an opportunity for a community to rally around their team. It gives people something to look forward to –a sense of normalcy coming back,” said Michael Solanik.