Upper Makefield Youth Baseball League

 Tournament Dates: Saturday, June 16th

Location: Ripken Baseball Academy - Aberdeen, MD - 873 Long Dr., Aberdeen MD 21001

Imagine hitting a ball over the Green Monster at Fenway, or digging a ball out of the ivy at Wrigley, or hitting a towering homer off the warehouse at Camden Yards. This can be turned into reality when your tournament team plays a weekend at our beautiful Ripken Baseball Academy. All fields at the academy are scaled down versions of these timeless classics, including Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Camden Yards (Cal Sr.'s Yard), and Old Memorial Stadium. With the addition of Citizens Bank and Nationals Park, both which include FieldTurf infields and natural grass outfields, the total now comes to 6 signature youth fields. The Academy is complete with numerous batting cages, two FieldTurf training areas, and many other amenities that make it a first class tournament destination for teams across the nation.

All games for the tournament will be played at the Academy. Tournament format may vary, but in most cases this includes three pool play games, semifinals, and championship games. Teams will have two pool play games Saturday and one pool play game on Sunday. All Semifinals and Championships will be held on Sunday following the remaining pool play games.

Many restaurants and activities surround the complex, including Ripken Stadium where you can enjoy a great night of minor league baseball for an even better price. Also, Aberdeen is a 30 minute drive from Baltimore where you can take in all the sights and sounds that the Charm City has to offer.

1. Proper hand techniques
2. Correct Footwork for throwing to all bases
3. Correct fundamentals for making a force play at second base
4. The throw home.
5. Glove fundamentals
6. Preparedness and Anticipation
7. Holding runners on

1. The fundamentals of hitting. What makes great hitters
2. The Charlie Lau method
3. The Epstien Rotational Method
4. Other hitting techniques
5. Posture, hands, feet, head positions
6. A powerful swing starts with a positive mental approach

1. Tom House pitcher drills and techniques
2. Rocker Drill
3. Towel Drill
4. The stride
5. Learning the science of the changeup
6. Pitching downhill and mental strengths
7. Pickoff moves

1. Outfield drills and techniques
2. Hitting the cutoff
3. Anticipation off of the pitch thrown

1. Pickoffs
2. Double Plays
3. Bunts/Sacrifices
4. The art of Base Stealing

Let me play well but fairly.
Let competition make me strong but never hostile.
In this and in all things, guide me to the virtuous path.
If I know victory, grant me happiness;
If I am denied, keep me from envy.
See me not when I am cheered,
but when I bend to help my opponent up.
Seal it in my heart that everyone who takes the field with me
becomes my brother.
Remind me that sports are just games.
Teach me something that will matter once the games are over.
And through athletics I set an example - let it be a good one.

 "I Have Missed More Than 9,000 Shots in My Career.  I Have Lost Almost 300 Games.  26 Times, I Have Been Trusted to Take the Game Winning Shot and Missed.  I Have Failed Over and Over and Over Again in My Life.  And That Is Why I Succeed."  -Michael Jordan, All-Time NBA Great