WILLIAMSTOWN CAL RIPKEN DIVISIONS

Rookie League

The minor league has been renamed to the Rookie League and, for the first time, first graders are eligible to play.

Rookie League, the name used by other Cal Ripken leagues, is designed primarily for children in Grades 1-3 (7, 8, and 9 year olds) to teach the fundamentals of the game and build player confidence.

Please also note that the T-Shirt program has been discontinued by the Youth Center.

AAA League

The AAA League is a new division for Williamstown. AAA is an entry-level player-pitch league. AAA League players will learn to pitch, catch, and play infield positions with players of similar experience.

We project that this year's AAA League will include many children in Grades 3-6 who played coach-pitch minors last year, some newcomers, and a few children from last year's majors division who wish to play in the AAA League. Placements for 2003 minors players and newcomers will depend on the skills assessment.

Major League

The Major League continues to provide baseball to our most experienced players. Major League players will refine their skills to higher levels using so-called tournament rules against players of similar experience.

Current majors players from Countryside, Champions, Police, and Rotary may remain in the new Majors League without a skills assessment. Experienced newcomers who wish to play in the new Majors League must attend the skills assessment.

In summary, the goal of this program, with these three divisions, is to provide kids from Grades 1 through 6 (or age 12 before August 1) with a fun, appropriately challenging, and - above all things - safe level of competition, taking into account the wide variations in their levels of skill, size, strength, knowledge of the game, and maturity.