News

Congratulations to First National Bank for winning the 2008 Regular Season Championship

Kiwanis wins the league tournament championship.

Rhett Farmer of Gaines Photo is the winner of the 2008 Sportmanship Award

Daniel Ferguson of First National Bank is the winner of the Most Improved 11-year old Award for 2008

Mitch Godden of SoldRush wins the 2008 League Batting Championship

Babe Ruth Coaching Certification Program
Beginning in 2008, Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth coaches must take an on-line coaching certification course, offered by Babe Ruth baseball.  The course costs $19.95 and once it’s completed, the certification is valid for your entire coaching career. The certification course is particularly important for the coaches of league tournament teams in post-season play.  Beginning in 2008, coaches will be required to show their certification card as part of the team’s tournament documents.  Therefore, you must complete the certification course to be eligible to be a head coach or assistant coach of a Mattoon Babe Ruth or Cal Ripken tournament team.  In order to encourage local coaches to compete the certification course, the Mattoon Babe Ruth board will reimburse you $10 if you finish the course.  To collect reimbursement, you need to print out the certificate of course completion and bring it to your league commissioner.  More information about the Babe Ruth coaching certification program is available at their web site: http://www.baberuthcoaching.org

Mattoon Cal Ripken Changing to a Larger Diamond in 2009
Beginning in 2009, Mattoon Cal Ripken baseball will be played on a larger diamond.  The new diamond will have 70 feet between the bases, and 50 feet from the pitcher's rubber to home plate.  It's significantly larger than the current diamond, which has 60 feet between the bases and 45 feet from the rubber to home plate.  In 2009, base runners will also be allowed to lead off base prior to the pitch being delivered.  The larger diamond and new lead-off rule will bring Mattoon into line with most other Cal Ripken leagues in the U.S.  Work to enlarge the infield at Lawson Park will begin in August of 2008 and be complete in time for the 2009 league season.  There is no change in the Cal Ripken bat rule, so the outfield fence at Lawson Park will remain in its current location. 

Sign up Now for Electronic Notification of Rain Outs
You can receive an email as soon as the decision is made that games are rained out.  If you received messages last year, you need to sign-up again to participate in the service this year.  Click here to sign-up.

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