For the first time, the Cal Ripken World Series will feature two Harford County teams among the 18-team event.
The Hickory Hornets and Bel Air Braves will represent Harford County and Team Maryland, respectively, at the 17th annual Cal Ripken World Series. Ripken Baseball serves as host for the Babe Ruth League's Major/70 premier event, featuring elite 11- and 12-year-old youth baseball players from around the world at The Ripken Experience Aberdeen Powered By Under Armour youth baseball complex. The series begins Friday, July 29 and culminates with the World Championship game on Saturday, Aug. 6.
"Congratulations to both Harford County teams for qualifying for the 17th annual tournament," Baseball Hall of Famer and Ripken Baseball chairman and founder Cal Ripken Jr. said. "Growing up in Harford County, it means a great deal to me to have two teams from this area represented. We look forward hosting the Hickory Hornets and Bel Air Braves and giving them a big league experience we hope they'll never forget."
The Hickory Hornets and Bel Air Braves matched up for a best two-out-of-three Harford County tournament over Memorial Day Weekend with the winner earning the Harford County berth. The two teams fought, with the Hornets winning a first-game pitching duel, 2-1, and the next, an extra innings game, 17-11.
More recently, the Braves competed last weekend against seven other teams for the state bid in the Maryland State Tournament.
The Bel Air Braves were led by pitcher Gabriel Rosica, who allowed four hits without issuing a walk and striking out five. Rosica also went 3-for-3 with a single, double and home run in the semifinal, for an impressive 4-1 win over Prince George's County Select Blue Socks, last year's Team Maryland representative and the favorite to win this year's tournament. The Braves beat Mt. Airy, 5-2, in the championship game, pitched by Brady Manara, who went 1-for-2, allowed eight hits, struck out three and didn't walk a batter.
"The Cal Ripken World Series is an amazing opportunity for the kids in Harford County," Hornets Coach Joe McIlhenney, who helped coach a Hornets team in 2014 that reached the United States championship game, said. "We're looking forward to them creating lasting memories from meeting other players around the world. We're also excited that two Harford County teams will be participating in this year's World Series. The level of baseball and talent coming out of such a small area is pretty impressive."
The Cal Ripken World Series is where the world comes to play, the Ripken Way, and serves as the culminating tournament of the Babe Ruth League's 12U Cal Ripken Division. The World Series unites the 10 best teams from across the United States and eight international teams. Games will be played on the innovative fields at The Ripken Experience Aberdeen Powered By Under Armour complex, including Cal Sr.'s Yard, a two-thirds replica of Camden Yards.
"Our team has been working for years to get to this tournament," Braves manager Darrell Barrett said. "After five years with these boys, we finally made it to the Cal Ripken World Series, and I think our win and Harford County's wins last year help solidify spots for Team Maryland and Team Harford County for years to come."
"I think it just goes to show you how strong Harford County is in baseball," Cal Ripken World Series Manager Lauren Morris said. "We're really excited to have two teams for the first time ever in the history just shows you it gets the community excited to rally behind both of these teams, rooting on Harford County and obviously the State of Maryland. We're beyond excited and beyond thrilled to show everyone what Harford County is all about, so we're excited for the World Series to start."
For those who are unable to attend the free championship games, fans around the world will have the opportunity to watch free live streams of those games on Fox Sports 2 and MLB.com. The championship games on Aug. 5 and 6 will also include live commentary from MLB veteran and Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Bill Ripken.
Opening ceremonies will begin on Friday, July 29, at 5 p.m., followed by the first game of the tournament as the yet unknown Middle Atlantic champ takes on Hickory at 8 p.m. at Cal Sr.'s Yard. Bel Air's first game is set for 3 p.m., Saturday, July 30 at Cal Sr.'s Yard versus the Southwest region champ.
Pool play competition will take place from July 30 through Aug. 3 with up to eight games played each day, beginning at 10 a.m. daily. The series will move into single elimination playoffs on Thursday, Aug. 4 with play beginning at 12:30 p.m. to determine the participants of the International Championship and U.S. Championship games, set for Friday, Aug. 5 at 5 and 7:30 p.m.
The World Series title game will be played Saturday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m.