Balt Sun: Ripken foundation set to break ground on stadium

[Stinky The Clown]

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation will break ground on phase two of Cal Sr.'s Yard at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Ripken Stadium complex in Aberdeen.

The facility will be a miniature version of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. It is designed for youth baseball and is expected to hold competitions by youth groups, with an emphasis on serving young people from disadvantaged circumstances, the foundation said in a statement.

In 2003 the foundation completed the first phase of the project, which includes a playing field, drainage system, dugouts and padded outfield walls.

The current work will add the stadium superstructure - including the concourse, press box and dugout-to-dugout seating. With the completion of this work, the site will hold this year's Cal Ripken World Series, the culmination of the season for Babe Ruth League 12 and younger players.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.digest03apr03,1,4801646.story?coll=bal-local-harford&ctrack=1&cset=true

The Ripken family is one class act. It was such a thrill when Cal Sr. was manager of the Orioles and Cal Jr. and brother Billy were on second and at short. Not a hint of scandal when they played or managed. Nothing but honesty and an obvious love for the game. Dad died a few years ago, but Cal, Billy and Mom, Vi, continue to tend the family business .... a youth baseball complex that is run to the highest standards. All this in the hometown of the Ripkens, Aberdeen, MD (a former All American <small> City) ...... not New York or LA or even Baltimore. And an emphasis on serving kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The hell with the steroid users and the druggies, and the huge salaries, and the paid endorsements. The Ripkens do it quietly and with class. Cal Ripken is exactly the kind of guy the Hall of Fame was built for.

Go Cal!
Go Billy!
Go Vi!