Participating dealership groups (LMAs) will provide one or more 1/2-day instructional clinics in their area.  These clinics give participants from sponsored Chevy Youth Baseball leagues the exclusive opportunity to receive FREE fundamental training from experienced instructors.

Clinic instruction will be provided by current or former MLB/MiLB players and coaches or the Ripken Baseball professional staff.  Information on signing up for the clinics is sent to participating dealerships and leagues, and the schedule will be posted online.  Clinic spots will fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

For Dealerships and Leagues Associated with a Major or Minor League Team, your clinics will be held at the team’s park and instruction may be provided by current or former players and coaches.

For Dealerships and Leagues Associated with Ripken Baseball, your clinics will be held in a central-LMA location at a community park and instruction will be provided by professionals trained in “The Ripken Way”.

The Ripken Way™

Ripken Baseball instructional programs combine the wisdom of Cal Ripken, Sr., and his teachings with the 33 years of major league experience accumulated by both Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripken, creating memorable baseball experiences for youth players and coaches alike.

Keep it Simple
Young baseball players must crawl before they can walk and walk before they can run. Teaching that is too complicated is difficult to remember and can result in frustration.

Make it Fun
Learning doesn't have to be tedious. Drills and instruction are structured so players enjoy themselves while learning.

Celebrate the Individual
No two players are alike, so why should they be treated as if they are? Each player has his or her own comfort zones, strengths and style.  Individualism is promoted as long as certain fundamental approaches are followed.

Explain Why
"Why" is a young person's favorite question. Young players have an innate need to understand the reason behind the teaching. Lessons that make sense will stick with them.

Ripken Way™ camps are designed to introduce campers to all facets of the game of baseball. Learning all of the skills required to play all of the positions on a baseball field not only helps make for a better all-around player, but also adds to a player's overall understanding of the game. Every player needs to understand proper throwing mechanics, which are discussed in the pitching station. Every player will catch a ground ball at some point; the fundamentals of fielding ground balls are covered in the infield station. Every player needs to be able to catch a fly ball, which is taught in the outfield station. And every player should learn the fundamentals of hitting.

We are not affiliated with a Cal Ripken Baseball League; may we still attend the Ripken clinic?
Of course!  Anyone interested in learning how to be a better baseball player may attend the Chevy Youth Baseball Instructional Clinics.  But, for the curious, here is a little history on Cal Ripken Leagues and Ripken Baseball.

Babe Ruth Baseball – Cal Ripken League:

The Babe Ruth league, a non-profit, educational organization, named after one of the greatest baseball players of all time – George Herman “Babe” Ruth - has come a long way since its modest start 55 years ago.  In the Summer of 1999, the Babe Ruth League, Inc. changed its largest baseball division from “Bambino” to “Cal Ripken Baseball.”  As a result, the Babe Ruth League adopted Cal Ripken Jr.’s visions and philosophies – The Ripken Way.  Since the name change, the league has grown by an average of 7% each year and is the only youth baseball league that has shown growth over that time.  Currently, over 700,000 kids, ages 5-12 years old, play Cal Ripken Baseball.

Ripken Baseball, Inc.:

Ripken Baseball, Inc. is Cal and Bill Ripken’s privately held company that focuses on growing the great game of baseball worldwide The Ripken Way.  The Ripken Baseball group oversees four divisions: Ripken Amateur Baseball, Ripken Professional Baseball, The Cal Sr. Foundation, and Ripken Management and Design.  In 2003, the first of two youth baseball complexes was completed in Aberdeen, Maryland – Cal and Bill Ripken’s hometown.  In 2009 the complex will see more than 1,100 tournament teams and 1,500 campers compete and take instruction at this facility.  These athletes will represent forty-three states and nine foreign countries.  Due to the success of the Ripken Academy in Aberdeen, MD, the Ripken’s opened a second youth baseball complex in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2006.  The Ripken Experience showcases training facilities and seven themed baseball fields that have been individually modeled to the dimensions and character of historic American ballparks. 

Should the campers bring their own equipment?

Each Major and Minor League Baseball camp is different.  Some teams allow campers to wear cleats on their fields while others do not.  Some teams ask campers to bring bats in addition to gloves, while others require only gloves.  Please review the information for your camp online or contact Chevy Youth Baseball with questions.

Ripken Baseball provides all necessary equipment for each player except for a glove and cleats. The group will provide bats, helmets, baseballs, and catching gear at all of the instructional stations. Ripken Baseball strongly discourages campers from bringing their own equipment in hopes of avoiding situations where equipment is lost or stolen, and strongly recommends that each camper puts their name on everything prior to arriving to camp.

How early should I arrive at the clinic?

Typically, clinic check-in begins one hour before the scheduled clinic start time. You will not need to arrive prior to this time as many facilities do not have the gates open until the scheduled check-in time.

Will water/refreshments be provided during the clinic?

Many clinic dates occur during the late spring and summer months, so it can get hot out there! However, water will provided for all participants at each clinic site. “Water breaks” are scheduled into each clinic.

Even though water will be provided for the participants, parents and spectators are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks along!

Will a meal be available for parents and spectators?

A post-clinic snack will be provided free of charge at clinic sites for clinic participants. Depending on the clinic site and turnout, parents may be able to purchase meals and/or other concessions for themselves, if desired.

What is a typical clinic menu?

At most MiLB/MLB clinic sites, ball park fare (hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, etc.) is served. Meals at Ripken Baseball clinics are typically donated by local restaurants, and usually consist of pizza, sandwiches/subs, etc.

What is your rainout policy?

Unfortunately, no clinics will be re-scheduled due to rain-outs. Some clinic facilities, especially MiLB/MLB parks, have sheltered batting cages/pitching areas where instructors are able to continue a modified version of the clinic.

Many minor league clinics occur on game-day mornings as well. Instructors and groundskeepers at MiLB/MLB parks reserve the right to move the clinic off the field if they feel it may be damaged due to wet conditions.