Q - Can my child play if we don't live in Long Beach?
 
A - Yes, our boundaries are wide open.  We welcome all families from Long Beach (north of Wardlow) as well as Cerritos, Lakewood, Bellflower, Paramount and Norwalk.

 
Q - I want to help with the new league.  How do I volunteer?
 
A - Please contact one of our board members and they will be able to give you information as to the best way to volunteer your time. If you click on the board members link there will be contact information listed.

 
Q - When will the league start?
 
A - The league will start in January. For further updates on the league keep checking at www.heartwellbaseball.com.

 
Q - Will the teams be balanced?
 
A - All players must go through try outs to be available for the draft. Only the manager's child and coach's child will be a given in the draft.  All other children must be drafted.  This is to better balance the teams.
 
 
Q - How do I contact a representative or someone who can answer a question for me?
 
A - Below are the best ways to contact the League or to get up-to-date information.  Call the Youth Baseball Hotline @ (562) 425-6783 for updates.  You may also send us an email at [email protected]
 
 
Q - My child has never played before, will he be able to play in the league?
 
A - Yes, we welcome all players and their families. We will evaluate your child's skills and place him or her in the proper division based on that evaluation. We have some great coaches that will help your child develop.
 
 
Q - What field changes can we expect from this league?
 
A - In our Cal Ripken majors division (11 & 12 years) the major field dimensions will change from a 60' base path to a 70' base path and rules (i.e. lead-offs, balks, pick-offs, dropped third strike rule) will be the same as regular baseball.
 
 
Q - Are the Cal Ripken coaches qualified to teach my child to play baseball?
 
A - Yes, we have a certified manager and coach training program.  All coaches and managers must be certified by Babe Ruth-Cal Ripken baseball to be able to manage or coach a team.  We will help any parent wanting to manage or coach a team to become certified.
 

Q - I would like to be a manager or coach.  How do I apply?
 
A -  All Coaching Staff members MUST be approved by the Board of the Heartwell Cal Ripken-Babe Ruth league. To be considered for any coaching position, you must fill out a Coaching Application (for Manager or Coach).  Please contact our Director of Managers and Coaches - or league President for a application.  If you do not currently have your coaching certification, we have members of our staff available to assist you in acquiring your certification.

 
Q - Can you give me more information about the Cal Ripken mandatory requirement regarding the coaching certification process?  Why is it important to the national organization?
 
A - (From the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken National website -  http://www.baberuthleague.org)  There is no one single factor that can have more of a positive impact on our players than improving the quality and knowledge of our managers and coaches.  It is a fact that managers and coaches are the ones who spend the most time interacting with our participants and the ones who can make a child’s experience in youth sports fun and memorable.  Therefore, it is very important for youth coaches to be properly trained to focus more on the child’s baseball experience and less on winning games.
With this in mind, the Babe Ruth League/Cal Ripken Baseball Coaching Certification Program was developed. Under the program, all baseball and softball coaches must complete coaching education before the beginning of the season.
The Babe Ruth League/Ripken Baseball Coaching Certification Program consists of the Level 1 coaching certification online courses Coaching Youth Baseball: The Ripken Way for Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball Coaches; The Ripken Way for Babe Ruth Softball Coaches. Babe Ruth League, Inc. and Ripken Baseball, Inc. exclusively endorse these online courses, which are being developed by the American Sport Education Program. The courses are available now, so you have ample time to complete certification requirements prior to the beginning of the season.
 
Coaches who complete the Level 1 course with a score of 80% or better will receive the Babe Ruth League/Ripken Baseball Coaching Certification Program Level 1 certification for baseball and will be able to print a certificate of completion and wallet card from the Web site. 

 
Q - How long has the Babe Ruth League been around?
 
A - The Babe Ruth League has been around since 1951. Babe Ruth League, Inc. has increased steadily from its first 10-team league in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, to its present combined size of over 986,000 players, on some 52,000 teams, in more than 8,600 leagues.

 
Q - How long has the Cal Ripken baseball division been around?
 
A - In 1999, Babe Ruth League, Inc. honored Cal by changing the name of its largest division from "Bambino" to "Cal Ripken Baseball."  Over 650,000 youth athletes currently play Cal Ripken Baseball worldwide.  Today, the 12-year old division of the Cal Ripken League competes in the Cal Ripken World Series, held annually at our complex in Aberdeen, MD.

 
Q - How much will the enrollment fees be?
 
A - The fees for the regular season will be posted on the home page of the web site. This will cover enrollment, hat & jersey and your photos and trophy.

 
Q - When is the deadline for enrollment?
 
A - Tryouts are in January but we will fill up by around the previous Thanksgiving Day to the first week of December. We will allow continued enrollment until we fill our capacity. Do not end up on the waiting list! 

 
Q - What are the age ranges?
 
A - Baseball ages 4-18 years of age. Please click on baseball divisions link and it will explain the different age groups.