The 14th Ward Youth Baseball Association is proud to partner with the Cal Ripken Baseball program! (Cal Ripken is a Division of the nationally renowned Babe Ruth League.) Cal Ripken Baseball focuses on children ages 4-12 years-old and provides training and resources for our coaches so we can continue to provide the best youth baseball program in the city of Pittsburgh. Cal Ripken is all about teaching baseball fundamentals and keeping the game FUN!
In addition, as members of Cal Ripken, 14th Ward summer All Star tournament teams are eligible for the unique opportunity to be part of the Ripken "Tournament Trail", where they can qualify to compete against teams across Pennsylvania in the PA State Baseball Tournament, and then possibly advance to the National Championship Tournament!
The tournament trail is a progressive tournament, which starts at the District level, then States, Regionals, and finally World Series. You must qualify for each round by earning a bid from the previous round. Typically, the district champion and runner-up will get a bid to the state tournament. Additional at-large and/or host bids will also be issued at the discretion of the state commissioner staff. The state champion will get a bid to the regional tournament, and that champion to the World Series.
Special bids are also issued. For example, the PA State Champion at the Cal Ripken 8U, 9U, and 11U will get an automatic bid to their respective World Series Invitational in Jensen Beach, Florida.
14th Ward East End Baseball program is one of the few Pittsburgh/Western PA programs to have a chance to play in the Pennsylvania State Tournament (and possibly National World Series). Be sure to keep an eye on our social media to see how our 14th Ward tourney teams fare this June!
Come be part of the fun!
