With the Cal Ripken World Series currently in the playoff stage in Aberdeen, the country has another chance to view what is quickly becoming a baseball empire encompassing nearly every aspect of America?s pastime.
Minor league teams, stadium design and management, instructional camps, DVDs, books and charitable programs are just part of the ever-growing Ripken Baseball business. Ripken Baseball spokesman Jay Moskowitz said the business generates about $15 million and turns a profit of around $2 million annually.
While Ripken Baseball?s centerpiece remains the Aberdeen complex ? which includes Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen Ironbirds, and the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy ? the business has taken a number of steps toward growing baseball worldwide “the Ripken Way.”
“It is a lofty goal growing baseball worldwide the Ripken Way,” said Cal Ripken Jr., the company?s president and CEO. “I think it has been pretty remarkable what we have been able to accomplish in a short time.”
Despite all of the various entities in Ripken Baseball, its main focus remains youth baseball. The Aberdeen complex will eventually have replica versions of Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Memorial Stadium and Camden Yards, also known as Cal Sr.?s Yard. The latter will also have a mini-version of the Camden Yard warehouse, which will be a hotel set to open in October.
“[With Ripken Stadium] we are appealing to families and kids the model of being able to dream what it is like to be a professional player,” Ripken said. “…Then, of course, you can go over and play next door and kind of fulfill that dream.”
Co-owner and executive vice president Bill Ripken said the overall philosophy of Ripken Baseball centers on making sure young baseball players of all ability levels have the opportunity to experience the sport at the highest level.
“We know that only about 17,500 people have ever made it to the major leagues,” Bill Ripken said. “But there are so many other people out there that still love to play the game. We?ve designed our complexes to give everyone who wants to the chance to experience what it is like to play baseball as a big leaguer.”
