Collegiate Summer Leagues question (Ripken)

Welcome to the HSBBW,
I would think that with Ripkens name on it.
It would be an up and coming college summer league.
Freshmen play in the smaller summer league's usually.
My players going to the Northwoods this summer.
And he lives in Cali.
EH

Thanks. I keep looking for info. It looks like it may have been a "break away" from the Clark Griffith League. And, they are expanding by two teams next year. I don't recognize many names, but probably more a reflection on me than them. lol

Any board members have any knowledge as parents, players or fans as to what he/we should expect?

Any parental advice on how to prepare him (you know, being in someone's house compared to being away in a dorm)?

How about not getting to come home after first year away at school? Burnout?

1. Coaches do try to send players to match their level of play. Obviously they're not gonna send their worst players to the Cape Cod league which is the best league every year. They will send their players somewhere where they will play a lot and continue to improve.
2. It is based on where coaches have contacts usually, but not always.
3. Coaches dont usually watch summer games, but they do get reports.

As far as the ripken league itself, its probably middle of the road in terms of competition, maybe a tad under.

I just checked attendance at Ripken, and compared it to Northwoods, NECBL, NYCBL, Valley, Coastal Plains, etc. Ripken attendance was generally in double digits, compared to triple digits in most other leagues (Northwoods had teams well into four digits).

I'm kind of disappointed by the empty stands. I did notice the Clark Griffith League was about the same at 50-60 per game. So, it may be that part of the country just not going to the ball park. I hope it's not a reflection of the on-field product.

My son played in the Ripken league in the past 2 summers. The DC based teams tend to have better attendance than the Baltimore teams. 3 years ago the MD based teams in Clark Griffith broke away and started the CR league. Clark Griffith League has since dissolved. How else may I help you?

Well, i guess I'm thinking of two different aspects.

The league itself: If he was there two summers, it sounds like it was a positive experience. At what level would you gauge the on-field play (older, more experienced, starters or younger guys who had some playing time, but not frontline starters?).


Non-baseball: Did the team/league have work opportunity (baseball or non-baseball) to assist in affording living away from home? How were the living arrangements? Travel to and from games by bus? Was there personal time to lift weights? If there were 3 or 4 days without games, are they able to catch flight home, or are they involved there in other league actvities?

After being away at school for the first time, how did not coming home sit with him? I would think living in a home not their own would be a little confining compared to home or college dorm. Thoughts?

quote:

Originally posted by cheeseattheknees:
.....

Any parental advice on how to prepare him (you know, being in someone's house compared to being away in a dorm)?

How about not getting to come home after first year away at school? Burnout?

He'll prefer the house over the dorm. Be respectful, don't abuse the host family opportunity, or he may find himself coming home early and blowing an opportunity for next years players. i.e. not letting the host family know that you went out of town for a few days....

My son enjoyed his stay with a host family and didn't seem to upset about being home for only a week! How it works out for your son will depend alot upon the host family and what your son tries to make of his opportunity. My son went went fishing, watersking, visited musuems, got to meet the neighbors and even went on a 2 day vacation with his host family to the beach...

quote:

My son went went fishing, watersking, visited musuems, got to meet the neighbors and even went on a 2 day vacation with his host family to the beach...

Hey, I've had a pretty tough year at work. Maybe he should stay home and I should go away with a host family.

dbg-fan.....the Clark Griffith League is alive and well and there are talks of adding 4 new teams. The CGL has not dissolved and the level of play is improving each year. Here is a link for more info:

Clark Griffith League

quote:

Originally posted by j2h6:
dbg-fan.....the Clark Griffith League is alive and well and there are talks of adding 4 new teams. The CGL has not dissolved and the level of play is improving each year. Here is a link for more info:

Clark Griffith League

Thanks for the link j2h6. According to their website, they have been around for 60 years. They need some publicity. I have lived in the DC area on and off for many years and this league is news to me.

"More than 50 league alumni have reached the major leagues, including active players Mark Teixeira (Texas Rangers), Jon Papelbon (Boston Red Sox) and Mike O’Connor (Washington Nationals), while more than 250 other players have gone on to play in the minor leagues."

quote:

Originally posted by dbg_fan:
Clark Griffith League has since dissolved.

May I assure you the CGL is very much alive and well and has NOT dissolved.

My son played in the Clark Griffith League and the Northwoods League. The CGL sends a representative to Johnstown PA every year for the AAABA. I also played in the Clark Griffith League, when many considered teams in the league were semi-pro.
Not sure if I can readily identify a father & son who won the CGL Championship 35 years a part.

Neither today's CGL nor tomorrows CRL can be considered by any sense of the imagination as semi-pro league nor equivalent to independent pro teams. Attendance records in the Northwoods League out number any team in the Cape Cod League that many more are wondering if the players in the NWL are having a better time over the summer than the players at the Cape. There is another Summer Catch story coming out, yet based on NWL! (Stay tuned for exciting detail for the movie!)

There may be one team to play for in the CGL, just as the Big Train may be considered the flagship of the CRL, as Madison Mallards can be considered on the Top Shelf as far as family entertainment as well as "the way the amateur game should be played".

As far as amateur ball for the summer college players, the top summer leagues w/r to projectable talent includes:

1. Cape Cod
2. Northwoods
3. Alaska
4. Jayhawks
5-9. Coastal/Valley/NECBL/NYCBL/Kansas others
11-12. tie
13. Cal Ripken Sr
14-15 Clark Griffith /MCBL (former Eddie Brooks)
16-17. tie
others

With regards to guys currently in the Big Leagues, 'left out' left off P John Maine (who played in the CGL w/ Big Train).

IMHO, The CRL was formed when an adult grown man from Bethesda Maryland, who loves baseball (from an administration view point), and just so happen to have a growing son who would need a place to play (when he was a HS Junior), could not get along with the quality Virginia baseball men (and were on the field) and also loved the game. Haven't we heard this before?

cheers
Bear

quote:

Originally posted by Bear:
May I assure you the CGL is very much alive and well and has NOT dissolved.

That's good. My bad. I was relying on comments from my son (his former team Fauquier left CGL & he assumed... We all know what happens to assumers. )

Son enjoyed the Ripken league - for the most part. I think probably the league has less to do w/ quality of experience than the team has. i.e. Is it better to be in Cape League on worst team than in the Northwoods on best team?

Games are scheduled 5-6 days a week. Usually a double header on a weekend. Kids can get a job if they want. Coaches on son's team tried to help land summer jobs. I assume (there's that word again) that most organizations try to help w/ that.

Very good idea to have a car at your disposal while playing in this league. CGL Fauquier team traveled as team by bus everywhere. CRL Redbirds team players traveled independently in cars.

Host families typically house the students. There are good & bad host families everywhere. CRL is no exception.

quote:

After being away at school for the first time, how did not coming home sit with him?

He didn't care. He is a young adult now and makes his own decisions. I tried to recruit him to play in TCL so I might see him play. He chose other playing opportunities.