Cal Ripken Program - Minors  

Minor Leagues  Ages: Under 10 with Birthdate cutoff defined by national rules.

Philosophy:  The  Cal Ripken Jr Minor League Program is a developmental and competitive program that plays in a Dane County league and has both state and national affiliations.  This program requires a major commitment by players, coaches and parents.  Middleton may assemble up to four  teams depending on interest.  The teams play 20-25 games including weekend tournaments.

Season:  The season begins in mid May.  Games are on Tuesday and Friday evenings beginning at 6:00 PM.  Game times are tentative and may change after the scheduling meeting.  The Dane County league is completed around the 2^nd weekend in July. There is a State Tournament for 10 (and under) year olds and for 9 (and under) year olds that takes place after the season. Middleton generally sends a team to both tournaments.

Team Composition:  Teams are selected through a tryout process.  Players who are not selected are automatically put into the Little Bucks program.  The tryouts are held in early April in order to meet state and national deadlines for submitting rosters.  This early tryout date will also help facilitate our draft in the Little Buck program. Teams will have a maximum of 15 players and are typically comprised of 12-14 players. Teams are organized based on the results of the tryouts. League teams are divided equally with a similar number of 9 and 10 year olds on each team. This approach promotes the development of all players better than if one team was stacked for a “win it all” approach. Team composition will be determined by the Commission and the League Director. During the season the coaches and the League Director will select the most talented 10 year old group and the most talented 9 year old group. These teams will play in the end of year State tournament. The rest of the players will form another team(s) that can play in local weekend tournaments.