Catch the Cal Ripken Major/70 National Invitational from Ballparks of America from the Comfort of Your Home

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.

View the Aug 8 - Aug 15, 2020 tourney schedule >

Investing in the Youth Baseball Experience at Ballparks of America

We caught up with Springfield Mavericks coach and one of new owners of Ballparks of America in Branson Missouri, Paul Satterwhite. Paul, in partnership with three local businessmen from Springfield, MO (Greg Snider, Dale Helle, and Steve Strobel) purchased the complex in February 2020 and we’re excited to see this unique ballpark complex grow.

Here’s what Paul had to share in anticipation of the delayed start of their spring season:

What got him interested in Ballparks of America?

Paul Satterwhite and son Graham

Paul has coached his son’s team for about eight years now, serving as head coach for five of them in Springfield, Missouri which is about 45 minutes from Branson. When he first learned about the construction of Ballparks of America, he got excited, as the target age range (11U - 14U) would be a perfect fit for his son’s team, the Springfield Mavericks. They were among the first teams to play at the ballpark since it opened in 2017. In 2018, Paul’s son Graham made the Branson 12U team and played in the Cal Ripken Series 70 World Series at Ballparks of America, which was a highlight for his son and the entire family. The Mavericks have played 75-80 games at Ballparks of America thus far.

How have you used HiCast Sports Network at Ballparks of America as a dad and coach?

“We’ve had quite a bit of experience with HiCast footage. I’m an attorney by trade and I travel some. I haven’t missed many of my team’s games over the years, but I was traveling back from a conference I had to attend and I wasn’t going to make it back in time for their Friday night games. I was waiting for my flight at the Denver airport and I pulled up and watched all of our games on HiCast, texting my coach who was running the game between innings, and making suggestions. It’s a really good view of your pitchers and batters, and I thought it was a really neat experience. My own parents have been able to get on and watch games, and there’s extended family who use it to watch our team.”

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What inspired you to take ownership of this venue with your three partners?

 “A couple of reasons. One, we really understand the place. One of my partners, Greg Snider, also has sons who’ve played often at Ballparks of America. We both serve on the Board for the Springfield Mavericks organization, and we operated tournaments at Ballparks of America before getting involved on the ownership side.  As a result, we understand the operations side of it and what has made our tournaments great over the last couple of years.

We also understand some of the challenges there, especially with the size of the facility, and we have a ton of connections in Branson and the ability to really make what we believe to be a great product on a national level and also for the Branson community and southwest Missouri. We really wanted to put some energy behind it and it’s something I saw as a worthwhile endeavor. Of course, we didn’t see the fun that is this challenge we’re all facing as a country right now with COVID-19, but it’s one we believe we can overcome.”

What’s in store for the future of Ballparks of America?

“We’re in the process of bringing the existing facilities up to a higher level. It’s a pretty amazing facility to start out with. The dorms are an incredible experience for the kids. We’re putting in some more food options by adding a restaurant and a sit-down, air-conditioned area inside for folks to get out of the sun for a bit. We’re going to enhance some of the experiences on campus and add some parties in the evenings. We’re partnering with the best local event businesses in Branson to put on co-branded and exciting events to create a tourna-cation experience for kids and families. We want it to be seven days of lifelong memories. You might not remember the scores of the games but you’ll remember the memories you created with your child, your teammates and your family. That’s the goal, and that’s what we’re working hard at.”

With COVID-19 pause on play, what’s happening right now?

“We’re working with health officials and our government to understand what’s safe, but we’re continuing to move forward with an intention to play this summer. We’re taking a week-by-week approach on this and we’re not acting too quickly to cancel future events. We’re actually adding teams who lost their spring season and are looking to expand their summer experience. We’re going to try to give a month’s lead time on summer events so teams traveling from further out will have time to make a determinations. We’re communicating regularly with the teams. We’re going to look at what other opportunities are available and hope to expand our late summer and fall opportunities to maximize use of the facility.” 

Since our call with Paul, they’ve added four tournaments in August to help meet the growing summer demand for play. Teams from more than 30 states are signed up for tournaments from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

“With the Cal Ripken World Series in August, we typically have ten international teams, but due to COVID-19, international teams will not attend this year. We’ll still have 20 national teams coming for the tournament August 6-15.”

How are you and your team working through this challenging time?

“I think it’s a great time for players to study the game, to watch older baseball games, watch people they see as heroes and see how they play. I think it’s a great time to work out. My own 13-year old son is making me jealous by the amount of time he’s been able to put in with his work outs, and I think he’s going to be in the best shape of his life by the time this ends. It’s a great time to get out and play catch with your dad or your sister in the back yard. Set up your tee and your nets, or your tennis ball in the garage. 

For coaches, I’m encouraging regular communication with your team. For us, most of that is happening through the Band app where we communicate through messaging and video to have a team experience there. Our club is putting out a video every other day to the kids with a work-out routine so they are all getting something that pushes them.”

Words of encouragement for ballplayers everywhere?

“Baseball is a game that we play that is a microcosm of life. Of all the sports that I’ve been involved in throughout my life, baseball is the quickest to take you to the top and take you to the bottom all at the same time. You can be the hero in one inning and the goat in the next. There are great life lessons to be learned from the game of baseball. And what we’re dealing with right now is just a period of adversity. It’s a challenge. We’re missing baseball because it’s become a central part of our life, but it will be back. Use this time to get closer to your family. If you are a person of faith, use this time to focus on that to help you see this as a opportunity to rise above the challenge.”

Photos provided by Paul Satterwhite and Springfield Mavericks

Catch the Cal Ripken Major70 World Series Semi-Finals Today & Tomorrow!

See and hear from folks at the Cal Ripken Major70 World Series at Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri. Runtime: < 3 mins.

It's been an exciting week across America and around the world for 24 teams battling it out in the Cal Ripken Major70 (12U) World Series Championship at Ballparks of America. Join us!

Get the entire schedule here, or use this cheat sheet to find live Semi-Final and Championship Games in our HiCast Sports Network so you can save and share the Moments That Matter™ using our HiCast Sports App. Local game times are CDT.

Friday, Aug 10 - Iron Bracket Semi-Finals

10:00am Canada vs. Southwest - Boston Field
12:30pm Australia vs. California - Boston Field
3:00pm New England vs. Bracket Winner B45 - Boston Field
5:30pm Dominican Republic vs. Bracket Winner B46 - Boston Field

Friday, Aug 10 - Championship Bracket Semi-Finals

4:30pm Korea vs. Japan - St. Louis Field
7:00pm Virginia vs. Middle Atlantic - St. Louis Field

Saturday, Aug 11 - Finals

10:00am Iron Bracket Championship - St. Louis Field
7:00pm Championship Game - St. Louis Field

HiCast Sports Network to Cover the Cal Ripken Major 70 World Series at Ballparks of America

We're thrilled to be covering and sponsoring the 2018 Cal Ripken Major70 World Series (12U) at Ballparks of America beginning August 3rd through the 11th in Branson, Missouri where teams from around the world will come together to compete and enjoy the experience of a lifetime. In honor of this global event and our shared love for America's Favorite Pastime, we're extending a special invitation for new users to join our HiCast Sports Network Aug 3-11 and enjoy a FREE 7-Day Pass to watch the Cal Ripken World Series and games across our entire HiCast Sports Network.

You can reference the CRWS Tourney Schedule on Tourney Machine. Use their app to follow teams and find out game days, times and fields, then watch the games live or anytime on-demand in our HiCast Sports Network and use our mobile app to save and share the Moments That Matter™ from the games as they happen. We'll also integrate the produced televised feed within our HiCast Sports mobile app so you've got the power to save and share highlights from the televised games too, offering you more views beyond our standard wide-angle view from behind home plate at each field at Ballparks of America.

Good luck to all teams: Alabama, Australia, Bahamas, California, Canada, Connecticut, Dominican Republic, Idaho, Japan, Kentucky, Republic of Korea, Middle Atlantic, Midwest Plains, Missouri, New England, New York, New Zealand, Ohio Valley, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Puerto Rico, Southeast, Southwest, and Virginia.

Share your 4th of July Week Highlights for a chance to win a FREE 1-Year PASS!

Just tag and share your Moments That Matter™ in our HiCast Feed within the app starting Sunday, July 1st through Sunday, July 8th and you're automatically entered to win. 

We'll pick 1 Hot Highlight of the Day each day and you'll win a free 1-Year Pass to watch all the games live and on-demand in our HiCast Sports Network for the next 365 days.

Catch the winners right here and in our Facebook and Instagram feeds so give us a follow and bring your best game this week!

Here's your 4th of July Week Lineup of Tourneys Across our Network

Ballparks of America – Nations Hometown Heroes Salute & Stars & Stripes Showdown

Baseball Heaven – Independence Weekend Championship, All American Invitational and Girls Fast Pitch All American Invitational

Baseball USA Powered by Marucci – Rawlings Summer Championships & Fireworks Festival

Diamond Nation – Garden State Invitational 16U, Finch's Aces Stars & Stripes,  Independence Weekend Firecrackers & DN Youth World Series 9U-11U

East Cobb Baseball Complex – Auburn University Showcase, Perfect Game 17U & 16U WWBA, Training Legends World Series, CABA World Series 12U

Shipyard Park – Showcase Tourney

Sports at the Beach – Firecracker Four-Day Classic, Clash of the Titans

Tyger River Sports Complex – TCS/SC Bandits Hot Times Classic Showcase

Ballparks of America Joins HiCast Sports Network

We're proud to announce Ballparks of America has joined the HiCast Sports Network, a game-changing, subscription-based social broadcast company which allows youth athletes, their coaches, families and friends to view sporting events at top venues across the nation anywhere, anytime, on any device.

HiCast offers an automated, turnkey video technology solution for venue owners and managers who want to provide the ultimate player and fan experience, reach more viewers, engage with fans beyond their stands through shared game highlights via social media, support coaching and player development, and better manage their facility. The HiCast Sports Network installs and maintains a fixed, remote-monitored video camera solution that delivers games live and on-demand. Users get to experience game content not covered by traditional media outlets, and delivered through the HiCast Sports mobile app or web viewer. The app makes it easy for users to not only see the whole game, but to save, trim, zoom and share their Moments That Matter™ in the form of clips or highlight reels in the HiCast youth sports social network and beyond. 

“We are proud to partner with HiCast -- the industry leader in providing parents, grandparents and fans back home live stream coverage of big games at Ballparks of America,” said Ballparks of America Chief Executive Officer Hamilton Chang. 

Ballparks of America takes the travel ball "stay and play" national experience to new levels as teams and their families enjoy a memorable week-long tournament experience, enjoying over 250 family-friendly attractions, amusement & water parks, live shows, shopping, and dining.  HiCast will cover more than 20 tournaments that will bring players from around the world together on new artificial turf fields, each 2/3 scale replicas of five iconic ballparks from Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, Detroit, and New York. Players and their families stay together in Major League-style suites during all summer events. Comfortable stadium seats are located at every field along with concessions and retail, all centered around America’s favorite past-time.

“We’re thrilled that Ballparks of America is now part of the HiCast Sports Network. We’ve appreciated HiCast’s complete coverage at Baseball Heaven (Yaphank, NY) as a valuable add-on to our televised coverage for select games during our National Youth Baseball Championship finals, but it’s really exciting to see that important qualifier tournaments will now have live and on-demand coverage and we’ll be able to share game highlights with our social media followers,” said Nathan Clinkenbeard, Communications Manager, National Youth Baseball Championships.  

 “We’re bringing families and friends together around sporting events no matter where they are located. With HiCast, no one has to miss that great catch or grand slam and we now have a platform to build up our young athletes and celebrate these Moments That Matter™ together,” said Stephanie Calabrese, HiCast co-founder and chief brand officer. 

HiCast Sports Network operates with a robust network of partners (venues) and promoters (sporting leagues and event organizers) with which they cultivate win-win relationships. Currently, the HiCast Sports Network covers hundreds of thousands of youth athletes playing on more than 100 baseball and softball fields at premier venues in Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina and Texas.

2018 } Are you ready?

We're proud to partner with America's top ballparks to cover your games live and on-demand, and we can't wait to see you share your Moments That Matter™ in 2018. We've been busy all winter long making plans to expand our coverage to more venues and to give you an even better HiCast Sports Network experience. Spring 2018 will be here before we know it, and we're getting ready!