UMYBL announces Cal Ripken tourney sponsors
The League also released information on the attractions that will be a part of the event. Admission to the Tournament and Fan Fest will be free to all spectators and fans.
The sponsorships and partnerships are a big part of the Fan Fest event that is planned to help draw interest to the championship tournament. “From the beginning, we wanted the Tournament to be something special,” said Jay Pomeroy of Newtown, a UMYBL Board Member and Tournament Director.
“Teams and families are coming a long way to be a part of this tournament, and we wanted to make sure it is a memorable experience for both the players and their families and fans. Our sponsors and partners are helping to make that a reality through their generous donations and willingness to help put on the event,” said Pomeroy.
“We expect the Fan Fest will draw additional fans from around the area to see championship baseball and join in the family fun.”
The headline sponsor of the Tournament and Fan Fest is TD Bank. Blue Flame Gas of Dublin, is the supporting sponsor. Additionally, Rita’s of Newtown, Colonial Farms, The Fancy Fig, and Gabriel’s Pizza, all of Washington Crossing are Tournament Partners and will be providing all food and refreshments for the event, including breakfast foods and beverages, a full lunch menu, and Rita’s famous water ice.
ERG Photography Game Action Shots is the official photographer for the tournament, and Star Bright Amusements will be supplying the non-baseball entertainment at the Fan Fest. Fine Designs will provide a wide variety of Tournament logoed merchandise for purchase, and Airbrush Underground will be on hand to do customized painting of batting helmets—a big hit with players of all ages.
UMYBL officials also obtained a one of a kind No. 8 Orioles jersey, autographed by the tournament namesake, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., and personalized with the words “2009 Pennsylvania Championship.” The jersey will be on display at the tournament and sold via silent auction.
“In addition to elite baseball, we are going to have great food and fun games like Moon Bounce for siblings and non-players to enjoy,” said Pomeroy. None of this would have been possible without businesses like TD Bank and Blue Flame Gas and all our Tournament Partners stepping up to support us.” Pomeroy said that the event expects to draw some 3000 spectators over the five days tournament.
The Tournament itself will consist of eight teams from who will have advanced through District competition. As the host team, Upper Makefield, coached by Rich Brunetti, Chuck Charlton, and Matt Glenn, will have a bye and receive and automatic bid to the tournament.
On Friday night, things will kick off with opening ceremonies and a skills competition for the players that will be highlighted by a home run derby. Pool play begins on Saturday and continues Sunday and will have all 8 teams participating with each team playing 3 games (2 on one day, one on the other; no team will be eliminated until the completion of the games Sunday).
Four teams will reach the semifinals on Monday, and the Championship game will be played on Tuesday night. The Pennsylvania State champ will then move on to a Regional tournament in Bridgewater, NJ on August 5 and the potentially to the National tournament at the Cal Ripken Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, MD on August 15.
Cal Ripken Baseball is a competing organization to the more well known Little League baseball. Lead and by managed by its major league and Hall of Famer namesake, the organization has a challenging set of criteria for players 11 and above. Field dimensions are greater (bases are 70 feet apart versus 60 feet for Little League, and the pitcher’s mound is 50 feet from home plate, versus 46 feet), and base runners are allowed to steal at anytime—not just after the ball crosses the plate. Upper Makefield will begin its third season of Cal Ripken play in 2009.
Upper Makefield Youth Baseball League is a registered 501c-3 non-profit, led by a dedicated group of volunteers who proudly serve the boys and girls of community, ages 5-18, by promoting good health, good sportsmanship and leadership skills through the opportunity to play organized baseball and softball in a safe, supportive environment. For more information regarding the 2009 Cal Ripken Baseball Championship Tournament and Fan Fest, contact Jay Pomeroy at jaypom1@gmail.com.