South Shore CVA and Crown Point knock it out of the park with Cal Ripken 11U World Series

The Jerry Ross Sports Complex was electric as 20 11U baseball teams from across the globe took the field for the Cal Ripken World Series on August 7. Teams representing four different countries and 12 states will spend the next week in Crown Point competing to see who will take home the championship.

The tournament began on August 7 with a skills competition followed shortly after by an opening ceremony in Bulldog Park introducing each team to the crowd of spectators. The Cal Ripken World Series always attracts large crowds to the City of Crown Point, something the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority is happy to see.

“This is our third year hosting the Cal Ripken World Series,” Adam Whitehouse, tournament director, said. “We absolutely love having all the teams come in. It’s a great opportunity for Crown Point to get put on the map.”

On top of the opportunity to show how far their hard work will take them, the children participating in the tournament have a chance to meet new friends and experience new cultures. Plenty of teams mingled with others from out of the state or country during the pin exchange that has become a tradition for the Crown Point games.

This year, the 11U World Series included national teams from Indiana, Missouri, Alabama, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Virginia, New Hampshire, Washington, Kentucky, and North Dakota. International teams competing this year hail from Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Curaçao.

“We do a pins initiative each year, encouraging all the teams to bring pins to swap,” Whitehouse said. “It really serves as a springboard for these 11-year-old boys to interact with kids who maybe aren’t from their area or country and really branch out.”

Since hosting its first 10U World Series tournament in 2023, Crown Point has become a familiar venue for players in the Babe Ruth League. Having a consistent venue helps tournament organizers host a stronger event and lets visitors become familiar with some of Crown Point’s favorite hotels, restaurants, and amenities.

“When the teams come in, the first thing we do is tell them about the Crown Point Square and how iconic it is,” Whitehouse said. “The Gary RailCats are doing a promotion right now where all the boys can throw on the field at U.S. Steelyard before a game. There’s a lot of really cool stuff that we try to push the teams towards enjoying so they can get the most out of the Region.”

The Cal Ripken 11U World Series will run from August 7-16. Games will be streamed live by Region Sports, and tickets can be purchased online while supplies last. Gather the family and get out to Jerry Ross Park to see the best that youth baseball has to offer!

“It’s a different brand of baseball. These kids have to win and win and win against the best competition in the country to get here. We’re talking about some of the best 11-year-old baseball players you could ever witness,” Whitehouse said. “We want the kids to feel like they’re a professional baseball player for the week. We want to put them on stage, and we want them to show the world what they can do.”

Looking to extend your stay? Visit southshorecva.com to learn more about everything Northwest Indiana has to offer, including hotels, restaurants, activities, and attractions.