| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Riders Coach |
Posted - 10/17/2008 : 13:45:27
I would like to hear from anyone whose team has been to a Ripken summer tournament at Myrtle Beach. We can't make a trip to Cooperstown this year, but are considering going to Ripken. I would like to hear about your experience, how you liked the facilities, the competition, any positives or negatives, etc. |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| psindians14 |
Posted - 11/16/2008 : 20:55:35
I agree with bb baseball
I have taken Teams to both Cooperstown and Ripken Love both but if your son loves baseball it's a must for a 12 year old to play at cooperstown dreams park go to cooperstown at 12 and go to ripken at 14 he will love both but you need to be at cooperstown at age 12. |
| rjrousseau1 |
Posted - 11/11/2008 : 20:52:35
Ripken does have weekend only tournaments up until June 1 which is when the weeklong events start. The weekend fees are about $550 per TEAM, not per kid. Not a bad drivedepending on what side of town you are on.
Omaha is a great trip. Liked it almost as much as Cooperstown. I would recommend the Triple Crown event over the USSSA event. USSSA cancelled their championship Sunday games while Triple Crown played after getting the fields ready. Triple Crown Division 1 in the 13s had several of the top teams in the country playing and I think something like 26 states were represented. Very competitive field from top to bottom (over 40 teams). Different experience of course than Cooperstown. The College World Series is much different in person than on TV and made the trip a great experience. Most of the kids on our team went to 3 CWS games. Flights to Omaha are not cheap, but you can fly into Kansas City and drive 2 hours to Omaha or Council Bluffs, IA. Team fee, not a per kid fee. Only drawback is the 4 game minimum. But if you mix in 3 CWS games its still a great experience.
Isn't it great to be growing up playing baseball today? Disney, Cooperstown, Omaha, Myrtle Beach, Ripken... |
| greglomax |
Posted - 11/09/2008 : 00:10:11
I just think the whole concept of having each player pay $650+ each to attend a tournament is a racket. We went to Cooperstown last year and had a great time. It was something we were glad we did but no one can convince me it was worth all the money the families paid. The coaches had to pay as well, along with the parents having to pay for somewhere to stay outside the park. It was not as if the cost was offset by savings somewhere else.
I guess it is not any different than going to Disney World and staying at a hotel in the part to experience the whole theme park aspect. The hotels are overpriced, the food is overpriced, and the lines are long, but as with Cooperstown, people still flock there year after year by the droves.
I think you have to be realistic and call it like it is. It is more about the experience than getting your money's worth as a tournament. There is probably 20% good competition, 20% horrible competition, and 60% something inbetween.
I would suggest if you are looking for a great experience, go out to one of the tournaments in Omaha during the College World Series. The tournaments are price relatively normal and the boys stay with they parents in the hotel as normal. You are on your own schedule to go to College World Series games when you are not playing. We did that at 11U and it was great. I can't wait to do it again, whenever that might be. |
| bb baseball |
Posted - 11/07/2008 : 01:03:23
I've taken teams to cooperstown, ripken and fletcher in charleston. Would not recommend fletcher. very average competition and the fields for the 14U are all over the place and of average quality. Scott Fletcher is a great guy and the staff is good but there are just better options. In my opinion Cooperstown is the best youth tournament hands down. the number of teams, facilities and experience are second to none. It's a must do for baseball folks. As for Ripken, while it is a little more expensive, lodging costs for out of town travel are going to be there either way and the fields at ripken are very cool. the kids really enjoyed themselves and most people made it kind of a family vacation so the cost is not quite as bad. the staff at ripken was probably the best tournament staff I've ever been involved with. very well organized, professional and had the kids interests at heart. Myrtle is within driving distance and there is a lot to do down there. Would love to go back and would recommend it to anyone, just not at the 12U age group as that's cooperstown. |
| sptrojans |
Posted - 10/27/2008 : 13:53:13
I know it is expensive but we took a vote from the parents and they wanted to go back. I can only speak for the week we were there and the teams that were there were very good. I think there was only one week team out of seventeen that got run ruled. There was also only one game not at the Cal Ripken Fields and you play on a high school field which is as good as a turf field. They are in the process of building the third field which will keep you there for all your games.
I looked into the Fletcher World Series and it does sound like fun, But I saw that the Wildcats run ruled every team they played except for the Effingham Team and team in the finals. I heard you have to travel twenty to thirty minutes to get to each field. Not to take anything away from the Wildcats they are a very good team but it doesn't sound like a very competive tournament.
I've gone to Pannama City, Cooperstown, & Cal Ripken. My goal is to make lasting memories for the boys and compete at a high level. It is very expensive but well worth it (both Cooperstown & Cal Ripken).
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| srcannonball |
Posted - 10/25/2008 : 12:18:15
The cost to the Ripken is $695 per kid which includes the following:
*a $300 grocery card
*Unlimited go-cart rides & water park
*plus three 2BR condo's & 6 games guaranteed to play baseball.
My question to Ripken--what if my parents want to stay at the beach and not take your 3 condos--what would be the price? Then the quote comes to $495 per kid which would be $7500 (includes 12 players & 3 coaches) The bottom line is that you are paying $7500 for 6 games & Unlimited Go-cart rides & water park. The fee at RIPKEN is entirely to expensive for what little you get. I grew up going to Myrtle Beach and it is very nice, however, be a better steward of your money and pay $995 to go to the FLETCHER and stay where you want to--then pay another $1000 for Go-Carts & Water park and you are way ahead of the game. Ultimately, without the condo's, you are paying $7500 for 6 games of baseball guaranteed with Unlimted water park & go-cart rides. I realize the fields are nice, however, you will play some games at the local colleges and other fields at 14u. It seems after talking to several teams that have visited Ripken that the competition is hit and miss like Cooperstown. Our team went to Fletcher last year and the competition overall was very competitive which included a Puerta Rican team that was 66-3. I am not being critical of the class operation that the Ripken experience is, however, I feel responsible to be a better steward of our teams money to maximize our opportunity. |
| jr63 |
Posted - 10/24/2008 : 15:25:20
So Riders Coach, what's the verdict? Good luck either way.... |
| sptrojans |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 13:17:38
I have taken my team to both Cooperstown and Cal Ripken. We will be returning to Cal Ripken this season. I would not change anything we have done. Cooperstown was worth the trip and something me and the boys will remember for ever. You will be cutting yourself short if you pass up the chance to go to Cooperstown. You can always go to Cal Ripken and will only have one chance to go to Cooperstown. I think Cal Ripken is a great experience and great for all the families but if I would do it all over again I would still go to Cooperstown at 12 and then go to Cal Ripken at 13 & 14.
Good luck
Joe P.
Sandy Plains Trojans |
| Mike Corbin |
Posted - 10/21/2008 : 21:04:28
I still think that Cooperstown is the best in youth baseball. It is in the birth place of the game and there are not as many distractions as a lot of places. Yes there is the HOF. But besides that there are not a ton of other things that the families might try to drag little Johny off to. Sometimes I think that can become a MAJOR problem with a trip like that. Just my opinion but I would rather go on a baseball trip with the team instead of a vacation. |
| Outlaw |
Posted - 10/21/2008 : 14:10:17
I have taken my teams to both tournaments. Cooperstown is a once in a lifetime experience. As a coach, Ripken was the total package. First class facilities, well run, great competition as well as so many things to do outside of the games for the other family members. Our families were able to make it a true vacation. Not to mention good food, A/C and no pep talks under the BIG WHITE TENT! |
| SportsDad |
Posted - 10/20/2008 : 01:12:10
Ripkin is very nice, but nothing can compare with the memory of taking your son to the Hall of Fame, it's a memory that will last both of your lifetimes. Cooperstown was the best tournament we ever went to..I'd do everything posible, if I were you to make that tournament. I too agree with Mike, I don't see how anything in youth baseball can top Cooperstown, and that no 12 year old should miss the chance to play at Cooperstown. If your talking 10U go to Ripken, but make it a team goal at 12U to go to Cooperstown.. |
| Mike Corbin |
Posted - 10/18/2008 : 10:53:02
I don't see how anything in youth baseball can top Cooperstown! That was absolutly the best event I have ever been to. I have not been to the Ripken events. But I have always said that no 12 year old should miss the chance to play at Cooperstown. Once you miss it you can never go back, while Ripken offers the same event at other ages. |
| DoubleD |
Posted - 10/17/2008 : 18:13:07
I've been to both.
My son did not actually participate in the Ripken tournament...just visited and watched a few games.
Absolutely NO COMPARISON.
Cooperstown Dreams Park HANDS DOWN.
I agree w/ jr63 "you can do Ripken another year/age".
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| Infinity |
Posted - 10/17/2008 : 16:14:21
Spoke with a parent earlier this summer and he went to both with his son and preferred the Ripken over Cooperstown. Both were excellent however Ripken was an overall better experience.
I don't remember word for word so I'll paraphrase here a little:
Closer, 6 hour drive time
Fields are turf, kids loved playing on it,every field is a different dimension
Both were very well run tournaments, the Ripken facility is brand new and extremely nice
Only 8 to 12 team at Ripken
Myrtle Beach has more for the kids to do (and parents)
Generally only two games per day, guaranteed 6 (i think)
I'm sure I'll think of more later......as mentioned both were good in his opinion but Ripken was a "tad" more enjoyable. |
| jr63 |
Posted - 10/17/2008 : 15:37:21
Go to Cooperstown, you can do Ripken another year/age. |
