Town Hosts Cal Ripken New England Regional Final

The Newtown Thunder 12U baseball team has some big plans this coming weekend. The team, which plays on Cal Ripken Baseball’s bigger field with 50 foot pitching mounds and 70 foot base paths, has a history of some great success. The three-time state champs traveled to Ocala, Florida for the 10-year old Cal Ripken World Series two years ago.

This year they have a chance to earn the opportunity to advance to the World Series in the New England Regional finals right here in Newtown.

Newtown was awarded the New England Regional Tournament among three other bidders, mainly because of the quality of the town and field they play on (Glander Field), as well as the success the Thunder has had throughout the years.

There will be seven other teams coming to play in Newtown from all over New England. All of them will be vying to have their ticket punched to the 2012 Cal Ripken International World Series in Aberdeen, Maryland. It will include the ten best 12U teams from the US, joined by the top six teams from around the world. The participants this weekend will have four teams from Massachusetts: Upton and Sutton from Western Mass, Quincy and New Bedford from Eastern Mass. Exeter and Keene will represent New Hampshire, and New Canaan and Newtown are the Connecticut representatives.

Friday night July 20 will feature opening ceremonies which will include a skills competition based on four events: Speed, Around the Horn, Outfield Throw, and Homerun Derby.

All Newtown baseball fans are welcome to come watch the talent at 4:30 pm at Glander field. There will be four games Saturday and four games Sunday. For more details, check out the New England Regional Web site at www.eteamz.com/crbnewenglandregional.