Local Cal Ripken team heads to regionals – again

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

OFF TO REGIONALS – AGAIN! The Central Ozarks Cal Ripken League team from Ballparks of America are state champs for the second year in a row.

Special to Branson Globe

A local baseball team has been named state champions for the second year in a row.

The Central Ozarks team got its start last year as a group of 10-year-old boys who would represent the upstart Cal Ripken League at Ballparks of America.

Under the direction of Coach Scott Miller, the team quickly hit their stride and won the 2021 Missouri State Cal Ripken Championship. A few weeks later, they traveled to North Dakota, where they were named regional champs, which they won in the Midwest Plains Championships.

Fast forward one year, and the same group of now 11-year-old boys were victorious in the Missouri State Cal Ripken Championship. They will be traveling to Denver, Colorado, to defend their regional championship title.

“I am really proud of what these kids have accomplished,” said Head Coach Scott Miller. “To do it once is special, but twice is uncommon. Our pitchers have been very efficient. We’ve had timely hitting, and our defense is steady, for the most part. This group is very resilient. We were down 15-4 to Booneville in pool play, but we kept extending the game and chipping away at their lead. Two hours later, Ethan Johnson hits a single to win the game.”

Coach Miller shared his thoughts about the upcoming regional competition.

“Going to Denver is going to be really tough, as we will see every team’s best pitcher and playing up in the altitude will be an adjustment,” said Miller. “If we win it in Denver, we will get to play in our backyard at Ballparks of America in the 12-yearold World Series next year, in front of a lot of family and friends. Hopefully, we get that opportunity.”

The Central Ozarks team begins pool play on Saturday, July 30, against the host team and Colorado State Champions, Southeast Denver.

You can follow the team’s progress on the Central Ozarks Cal Ripken page on Facebook.