Ripken Select Tournament coming to Aurora area July 10-15
Ripken Baseball is bringing their Ripken Select Tournaments to Stuart Sports Complex in Montgomery from July 10-15.
Ripken Baseball will host the six-day event as part of their first multicity tour, allowing players from more regions of the United States to easily access their tournaments. The event will feature a special appearance by former MLB Hall of Famer Jim Thome.
Ripken Select Tournaments aim to make every ballplayer feel like a Big Leaguer with professional facilities and experiences.
The week will include an opening ceremony, skills competitions, player announcements, and walk-up music.
The tournament at Stuart Sports Complex, which features eight fields, will replicate the Ripken experience that over 5,000 teams and 250,000 guests enjoy annually at Ripken Baseball's permanent facilities in Maryland, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
"As a premier destination for youth sports, we look forward to welcoming all athletes and spectators to the Aurora Area and Stuart Sports Complex," said Cort Carlson, executive director with the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "In addition to our family-friendly attractions and abundant recreational opportunities, we are easily accessible to the city of Chicago and all the visitor amenities of the greater metro region."
Ripken Select Tournaments were first introduced in 2021 at a single location in Round Rock, Texas, through a 60-plus team event in partnership with Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment.
Based on demand, it has expanded in 2022 to Florida, Illinois, and an additional stop in Texas.
The full schedule of Ripken Select Tournament dates is:
• June 5-10: Panama City Beach, Florida; Publix Sports Park (10 fields)
• June 19-24: Frisco, Harold Bacchus Community Park (9 fields)
• July 10-15: Montgomery, Illinois; Stuart Sports Complex (8 fields)
• July 17-22: Round Rock, Texas; Old Settlers Park (20 fields)
To learn more about 2022 Ripken Select Tournaments, visit www.ripkenbaseball.com or call (410) 306-7575. For facilities that have an interest in hosting a Ripken Select Tournament in 2023, contact hraburn@ripkenbaseball.com.