Cal Ripken tournament begins Thursday
Tournament play will begin at noon Thursday at Marion Sports Complex for the 12-and-under Cal Ripken State Tournament of Champions.
Teams include District 1 champions, Lakin; District 2, Cimarron All Stars; District 3, Rose Hill Patriots; District 4, Council Grove; District 5, Independence All Stars; District 6, Neosho Valley; District 7, Louisburg Astros; District 8 (and host team), CVL All Stars.
Teams will check in from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Marion Chamber of Commerce.
Players are invited to swim free at Marion Municipal Swimming Pool from 4 to 5 p.m.
A picnic for players and host families will begin at 6 p.m. at the sports complex followed by a home run derby.
Managers, coaches, umpires, and tournament officials will gather at 9 a.m. Thursday for breakfast at tournament headquarters.
Game one will begin at noon.
Opening ceremonies will be held at 6:15 p.m.
Games will continue Friday, beginning at 9 a.m. with the final game at 8 p.m.
Saturday's games will begin at 1 p.m. with the final game at 5:30 p.m.
The tournament will wrap-up Sunday with a 1 p.m. game between the winner of game 11 and winner of game 13. A 3:30 game will be scheduled if needed.
Awards and closing ceremonies will take place immediately following the last tournament game.
The winning team has the opportunity to advance to the Midwest Regional Tournament at Waite Park, Minn.
Admission is on a daily basis — $4 for adults, $2 for children ages six to 12. Children under five are admitted free.
Concessions are available during each tournament game. Tournament T-shirts and souvenir programs also will be available throughout the weekend.
Bleacher seating is available but spectators may bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Schedule
Thursday
Game 1 — Noon. Lakin vs. Rose Hill Patriots.
Game 2 — 2 p.m. Louisburg Astros vs. Council Grove.
Game 3 — 4 p.m. Neosho Valley vs. Independence All Stars.
Game 4 — 7 p.m. Cimarron All Stars vs. CVL All Stars.
Tournament brackets will be posted at the sports complex.
