Since 2003, the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series has brought together some of the best youth baseball players from all over the world to Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri.
The Major/70 World Series event has a rich history dating back to 1976. It was first called the Bambino World Series, and the tournament was only open to teams from the U.S. In 2000, the championship was renamed the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series in honor of the legendary baseball player.
The Major/70 level is 12U players. Tournament teams are from various countries worldwide and the United States. These teams must go through state and regional tournaments to qualify for the World Series in Branson, where the tournament has been since 2017.
Related: Adopt-A-Team for the 2023 Cal Ripken Major 70 World Series
How the Tournament Works
The tournament breaks down into several rounds, with teams competing in pool play, elimination play, and, ultimately, the championship game. During pool play, teams are divided into groups and play a round-robin format against the other teams in their group. The top teams from each group then advance to elimination play, competing in single-elimination games until the championship game.
2023 Cal Ripken Major 70/World Series Schedule
Full Schedule and Group Standings
August 3: Opening Ceremonies & Home Run Derby
August 4-8: Pool Play
August 9-10: Bracket Play
August 11: U.S. and International Finals
August 12: World Championship, 4:30 pm at St. Louis Stadium
2023 Cal Ripken Major 70/World Series U.S. Groups
Group A: Waipahu, HI (Pacific Southwest); Florence, AL (Southwest); Yardley, PA; Chicago, IL; Glen Allen, VA; Branson, MO (Host).
Group B: Lutz, FL (Southeast); Southeast Denver, CO (Midwest Plains); Honolulu, HI; Marlboro, NJ; Bryant, AR (Arkansas); Twin Falls, ID.
Group C: Easton, MA (New England); Southeast Lexington, KY (Ohio Valley); West Fargo, ND; Kennewick, WA; Hot Springs, AR; Cherry Hill, NJ.
Group D: Flood City, PA (Middle Atlantic); Black Hills, WA (Pacific Northwest); Dover, NH; West Raleigh, NC; Boonville, MO (Missouri); Windsor, CA.
2023 Cal Ripken Major 70/World Series International Groups
Group E: Sydney, Australia; San Nicholas, Aruba; Seoul, South Korea; Nuevo Leon, Mexico; Yilan, Taiwan.
Group F: Calgary, Canada; Kansai, Japan; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Guayama, Puerto Rico; San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Historic Cal Ripken Major 70/World Series Champions
2023: Ohio Valley (Lexington, Kentucky) def. Taiwan
2022: Jeffersontown Strike (Kentucky) def. Mexico
2021: Branson (Missouri) def. Puerto Rico
2020: none [COVID-19]
2019: Oahu (Hawai’i)
2018: Glen Allen (Virginia)
2017: Atlantic Beach (Florida)
2016: Kennewick (Washington)
2015: West Raleigh (North Carolina)
2014: West Raleigh (North Carolina)
2013: West Raleigh (North Carolina)
2012: Montgomery (Maryland)
2011: Lexington (Kentucky)
2010: Ocala (Florida)
2009: Forest Hills (Florida)
2008: Jupiter (Florida
2007: Tampa (Florida)
Don’t Miss the Cal Ripken Major 70/World Series at Ballparks of America
Ballparks of America, currently the largest youth sports facility in the USA, hosts the 2023 Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series—showcasing some of the most talented youth athletes worldwide.
Is your team ready to compete in a world-class stay-and-play tournament? Check out our schedule of tournaments for the summer of 2024, and contact us for more information.
Ballparks of America Names Kelly Ahrens General Manager
(Branson, MO) September 7, 2023– Ballparks of America is proud to announce the selection of Kelly Ahrens as General Manager. With the depth and breadth of Ahrens’ baseball and softball background combined with his impressive entrepreneurial spirit, Kelly will lead the Ballparks of America team, striving to take the best travel baseball experience in the country to even greater heights.
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