2024 Updates

ND Regional Hosts 2024

11YO - Grand Forks 
12YO - Watford City
13YO - Williston

Reminder of our Spring Meeting 2024

When: Sunday April 21st
Where: Radisson Inn, New York Room 1&2 Bismarck, ND
Time: 11am-2pm
Bonus:) Lunch will be served, Please RSVP - follow the link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffR1eopwLPnnsjdt7BWp6JmeH0iZQKRS371Va7v4oaoGlsLA/viewform?usp=sf_link

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Regional Tournament Entry Submittal

Regional tournaments are qualified invitational, Register your teams EARLY! Conference play or tournament standings will dictate how many ND teams may be selected to participate. We would like to  have 10-12 teams in each division(hoping for 5 states to play). Each team may submit an entry by following the link below. Participants of the Regional Tournaments are required to play in their specific age groups State Tournament. 

*Regional Entry ~ You are pledging a non refundable $250 tournament entry fee by agreeing to this tournament

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdk8tec79_bB3PsjPlV4HnbnSGFQoUPeLYTOktAeo4zE_mGsg/viewform?usp=sf_link

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Posting Local Tournaments

Some have asked about Local Tournaments to be posted on the website. Please follow this link and fill out the form for us to post your tournament on the State website. Please Follow the link below.  

Post your Tournament here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeE8al_yU3_5Wq4AkfIOErCT91vg9O9-CntsRqa83Jcw4iC_A/viewform?usp=sharing

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GAMEPLAY:

Age Division State Tourney Gameplay

9YO (AAA) - {Division Declaration April 15th} - Williston

• Pool play to single elimination

• Teams drawn from a hat

 10YO (AAA, AA, B) {Division Declaration April 15th} - Fargo

• **East/West Conference Play will be decided very soon. 
• Double Elimination( max 10 teams)
• AA (Pool Play to single elim bracket)

10U-BDivision {Division Declaration June 15th} - Park River

• Based on amount of teams (Double Elim or Pool Play)

11YO (AAA, AA) {Division Declaration April 15th} - West Fargo

• AAA Double Elimination (10 teams: 5 East, 5 West)

• AA (Pool Play to single elim bracket)

12YO (AAA, AA, B) {Division Declaration April 15th} - Grand Forks

• AAA Double Elimination 8 teams (4 East, 4 West)

• AA (Pool Play to single elim bracket)

12U-B Division {Division Declaration June15th} - Velva

• Based on amount of teams (Double Elim or Pool Play)

Babe Ruth Divisions {Division Declaration March 15th}

• 12 teams or more; potential of a AA division
• Hosted tournaments in the same location. 

13YO (AAA, AA) {Division Declaration April 15th} - Minot

• Could have 2 divisions

14YO (AAA, AA) {Division Declaration April 15th} - Bismarck

• Could have 2 divisions

15/16U(Any Division) Want 12 or 14 teams

All conference counter games AAA must be completed by:

10YO = July 19th
11YO = July 12th *Seeding to dictate Regional Tourney Entry*
12YO = July 19th
13 YO = July 19th
14 YO = July 19th
15/16 YO = TBD

The 15/16 YO group can be composed of any age athlete, 13-16 years old. Hosted in Devils Lake{Preferably your 15s and 16s play each other. Dates Soon!!

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Game Changer Conference Scoring

Also we will be sending out Game Changer links so your teams can stay connected for an easy conference scoring process in your specific age group, 

• Age groups 10-16s
• AAA divisions 
• Class B Districts

ND COMMISSIONER NEWS~ {Click on Newsletter to the Right for more detailed information of the upcoming season}

Thank you all to those who showed up to support ND Baseball & the crucial decision making our leaders delicately impose to improve the program~

Elections:
•District 1 ~ Larry Grondahl
•District 2 ~ Andrew Feist (Newly Elected)
•District 3 ~ Terry Wallace
•District 4 ~ Ryan Ingeman (Elected and Umpire in Chief)
•District 5 ~ Dan Frei
•District 6 ~ Dan Haugen
•District 7 ~ Jeff Gould

Assistant Class B Commissioner~ Jeremy Ludlum & Lance Selzler
Assistant Class A Babe Ruth Commissioner Larry Grondahl
Assistant Class B Cal Ripken Commissioner Shane Weinmann 
East & Cal Ripken State Commissioner Jerod Seaver
West & Babe Ruth State Commissioner TJ Stewart

Class B

•Continue the same gameplay as years prior. 15 YO is the oldest age a player can play!

•To keep State Tournaments as competitive as possible, some districted teams may be re-aligned

•Roster Max 15 Players, Dress No Limit, Non-Rostered Players Cannot Play!

Division Declarations:
•Teams may petition for classification, Deadlines: BR/CR(9&10s)=June15th / March 15th

•District/State Commissioners will make the final decision.

Declaration for AAA must be communicated by:
February 15th, 2024(Ages 11 & 12)

**ALL STATE SELECTION TEAM{13-16YO}**Postpone for 2024**

*The Commissioners would like to entertain the idea of selecting a North Dakota All State team to represent ND in an out of state tournament. Players will be selected based upon criteria set forth: Age, Position, Willingness to travel, skill of each position. Players will be selected from AAA, AA & B divisions. {We will select 12-15 athletes in the Tryout process, to be determined later}.

It would be an honor for North Dakota to compete in a best of the best tournament, and for our athletes to represent our State for a shot at the title of Champion.

This is a pilot program and experimenting with the idea. If any athletes or coaches are interested, please contact any District or State Commissioner.*

MIDWEST PLAINS REPORT:
Regional Tournament host locations
Congratulations, we know you will do an excellent job!
11 YO Host ~ Grand Forks
13 YO Host ~ Williston

**All Regional Tournaments are optional. Teams may
contact the host and potentially reserve a spot in the
Regional Tournaments.**

!! Teams must play in the North Dakota State
Tournament to avoid future Disqualification !!

2023 Awards

Rookie of the Year ~ Valley City

King of the Diamond "B" - Velva

King of the Diamond "A" - West Fargo

Most Chartered Teams in ND Baseball - Bismarck{46}

Fall Iron Man Award - Terry Wallace{Devils Lake}

Please see the Newsletter for Final Dates and more information!

Our annual North Dakota fall meeting will be held in Bismarck at the 1603 Building on East Main South:

When: Sunday October 8th, 2023

Time: 11am-2pm

Where: 1603 East Main Street S; Bismarck, ND

Cost to Enter: Free50 {Goodwill Donations will be kindly accepted}

Tentative Agenda:(No particular Order) 

- District Commissioner Election year

- State Tournament Dates for 2024: AAA, AA, B

- Potential 11 and 13s MWP Host (Sites Interested should come with a PRESENTATION) {STAY TUNED!  Tournaments are NOT official yet.}

- 8YO State Tournament 1st Annual

- Split 10YO into AAA, and AA 

- Extend State "B" Tournament the last weekend of July! 

- 13-16YO BabeRuth Gameplay

! Please reach out to your District Commissioner to add an item to the agenda.!

2024 Season Gameplay Form

Here is a link to cast an honorable mention of next season's gameplay. We want to hear from everyone and get a consensus on gameplay for the 2024 season. So please fill out the form, one cast per person not organization. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCGukXmgUbkDjWCM6xZIoEdNn7ld4Yr9wkGZ5VgX0RDP7K8A/viewform?usp=sharing

IF you have memorabilia leftover from your organization or State Hosted Tournament, please bring it and we will randomly draw winners throughout the meeting.

Thank you everyone for all you do and we will see you soon. 

2023 ND State Tournament Season is over! 

Big Shout to all: Volunteers, Staff, Officials, Coaches, Fans, & Players. 

Thank you all for another successful year. Please send pics of athletes, fans,  or state tournament experience, to our Facebook page for recognition. 

I would like to say we had a huge success of compliments for moving our State Tournaments back another week or 2 from previous years. YOUR INPUT MATTERS! So Thank you! 

If you have items to be discussed at any of the meetings. Please reach out to your District Commissioner.

click here for all the State Champions. 

~~~ We will have our Annual Fall Meeting very soon(October), dates will be announced ASAP. ~~~

Topics of concern: 
1. National has changed the 13-15 to 13-16YO, we will restructure as necessary to accommodate more kids in the program at the "B" and "A" divisions. 

2. Regional Hosts 11s and 13s age groups are up for bid for 2024. (All bids to be presented at the Fall & Spring meetings). 

3. State Dates for "B" Babe Ruth(13-15YO) looking to extend 1 more week into July{ More Baseball}

4. District Commissioner Election Year. 

State Tournament Gameplay

AAA and AA tourneys will be in the same location with 2 different divisions for ages 11 & 12. Deadline to sign up for the AA state team is July 1st. 

We are encouraging clubs to promote a AA division if you do not already have one in place. AA does not compete in weekend tourneys but may, and is not required to meet a required threshold of conference games. 

We want your clubs to promote more kids to play and families to be a part of the State tournament atmosphere. As Club leaders your goal should be to promote more baseball and provide more opportunities to play for all skill levels. 

ND Iron Man Award

An award for a High Valued Community Baseball Leader in ND. 

Someone who is committed to excellence in his/her program and/or ND Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken. 

The First Annual 2022 Spring Iron Man award was awarded to Wayne Beyer {Wahepton}. 

His volunteer work to ND Babe Ruth has created this much needed award to represent his Commitment, Integrity, and Longevity to the program. 

Thank you Wayne, we appreciate all you have done for ND Baseball!

2022  Fall Iron Man Award was awarded to Larry Grondahl {Williston}, 

For many years as District 1 Commissioner and Assistant State Commissioner, Larry’s persistence and dedicated volunteerism has not gone unnoticed, we appreciate all you have done for this program Larry.

2023 Spring Iron Man Award  was awarded to Pete Dobitz {Dickinson}

Over 20 years of coaching, Pete's tireless efforts and persistence, on and off the field have earned him this honor. Longevity, Character and passion to our great sport. 

Thanks Pete, we appreciate you very much! 

Thank you all and  keep up the good work!

Congrats to these North Dakota teams and athletes representing  our fine State in Regional gameplay. These teams will be moving onto their respective age group  "World Series".

 14U ~(Host Williston, ND)
State Champion Winner~ West Fargo Rattlers
MidWest Plains Winner ~ Fargo 61's Blues

13U 
MidWest Plains Winner ~ Fargo 61's Blues

12U
MidWest Plains Winner ~West Fargo Rattlers

11U
MidWest Plains Winner ~West Fargo Rattlers

10U
MidWest Plains Winner ~ Fargo 61's Blues

Congratulations to the Finalists and Champions for 2022 ND State

15YO

Champions ~Devils Lake Firebirds*

Runner Up ~Fargo 61s Blue*

14YO

Champions ~West Fargo Rattlers**

Runner Up ~Fargo 61s Blue**

13YO

Champions ~Fargo 61s Blue**

Runner Up ~ Dickinson Calvary*

Regional Qualifier~ Bismarck Capitals*

13-15 BabeRuth "B"

Champions ~ Thompson

Runner up ~ Lisbon

12YO AAA

Champions ~ West Fargo Rattlers**

Runner up ~ Bismarck Americans*

12YO AA

Champions ~ Wahpeton

Runner up ~ Fargo 61' Reds

12 YO "B"

Champions ~ Park River Pirates

Runner Up ~ Casselton 28ers'

11YO AAA

Champions ~West Fargo Rattlers**

Runner Up ~Fargo 61s Blue*

11YO AA

Champions ~ Fargo 61s Reds

Runner Up ~ Hazen/Beulah

10YO 

Champions ~ Fargo 61s Blues**

Runner up ~ Minot Aces*

10 YO "B"

Champions ~ Wahpeton

Runner Up ~ Carrington 

9 YO 

Champions ~ Minot Aces *

Runner up ~ West Fargo Rattlers*

*Teams will Represent ND in the Midwest Plains Regional Tournament. 

** Teams will Represent ND in a World Series Tournament. 

Scheels

A Proud Partner of North Dakota Baseball.

They have graciously donated all the awards for all of our State Tournaments for the 2022 season. 

Athletes: while visiting any of  their stores in North Dakota. Please give a high-five or a simple "Thank You" to show our appreciation of what they do for the baseball community! 

Good luck to all on your season! 

Exciting news for the upcoming 2022 season! 

This year we will be implementing AAA, and AA leagues for Cal Ripken 11/12U. 

All teams will have until April 15th, 2022 to declare league status to enter for the upcoming 2022 season.

State Fees

State Tournament fees will increase this season from $150/per team to $300/per Team due to the rising costs of hosting tournaments. Below is the breakdown of State Tournament Fees

Class A, AA ,AAA

Host = $150/team 

State = $150

Class B

Host = $200/team

State = $100

With the increase the host has the ability to help offset expenses which otherwise may be a burden. 

The State increase of monies will go into our new World Series Fund.

This fund will start with $1,000 as a minimum balance. All extra monies above the minimum will be given to any ND team that wins a Regional tournament and moves on to the World Series. Teams to receive additional funding will be allocated based on criteria set forth by the (7) District Commissioners at the Fall Meeting. 

ND Babe Ruth wants to help organizations with travel expenses for teams who qualify for World Series.

Gameplay

Cal Ripken

ND has declared to send the top 2 teams to regionals for ages 9-12U. 

Babe Ruth

We will send the winning team to the regional tournament. IF necessary as requested by MWP, possibly top 2 or 3 to fill vacant spots at the regional tournament. For instance 13U, 2 ND teams (State winner and Dickinson as the host) are invited, to fill a vacant spot, 3rd place team , may be invited because the tournament is held within our own State.

Information Reach Out

Please email me any changes of leadership with the league primary contact(email) info. We will post that information on our website so folks can reach out to other communities for season league planning. 

Please visit our website: to view all State Hosted Tournaments and regional locations. www.ndakbaberuth.com/state

Rule Changes

~A player MAY pitch 3 or more days in a row, as long as they do NOT exceed their maximum daily pitch count. 

~A player may REPLACE another rostered player if their season has ended, and if a team from another age group would need a player to fill a roster spot.  (Example: 14u team season has ended, 15U team has a player, who is injured or sick, 14U player can fill that roster spot).

New to the Crew

~Scott Fritz

Has been elected as our new treasurer of finance. Scott is highly recommended and has aided in the Lamoure area baseball program for over 20 years.

~Kerry Andre

She has agreed to volunteer her time to help with the social media aspects, Instagram, Facebook and our website.  

Welcome aboard and we really appreciate your commitment of time and volunteering to help.

Hall of Fame Inductees:

We have inducted 2 of the nominations to the 2022 Babe Ruth Hall Of Fame.(HOF)

Ryan Nelson ~ Dickinson, ND

Chad Omdahl ~ Hatton, ND

This is an honor to all nominations to be selected amongst all of the individuals who apply. If you know of these gentlemen, please give them a well deserved hand shake, high-five, and/or just a Thank you for all the work they have done to keep the vision of ND baseball possible. 

Thank you Gentlemen!

~Also please email any nominations to jerod.seaver@gmail.com

ND Iron Man Award

An award for a High Valued Community Baseball Leader in ND. 

Someone who is committed to excellence in his/her program and/or ND Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken. 

The First Annual 2022 Iron Man award was awarded to Wayne Beyer from Wahpeton. 

His volunteer work to ND Babe Ruth has created this much needed award to represent his Commitment, Integrity, and Longevity to the program. 

Thank you Wayne, we appreciate all you have done for ND BabeRuth and CalRipken. 

Sign Off

All of the ND Commissioners would like to extend our best wishes upon all North Dakota Baseball Athletes. Best of luck to all teams participating in ND baseball. 

So Good Luck and we will see you at the park! 

Jerod Seaver and TJ Stewart 

~[ND State Commissioners]~

Spring Meeting for ND Baseball 

The ND State Baberuth Commissioners would like to invite all community leaders, club administrators, HECK! anyone who loves baseball to come to our annual ND BabeRuth/CalRipken Spring Meeting. 

Sooo We Want you!

When: Friday April 8th

Where: Ramkota Hotel (Bismarck)

Time: 6-9pm~ 2022 ND BabeRuth/Cal Ripken Spring Meeting

Social to follow

We Commissioners would like to meet and get to know the hard working, passionate community leaders in ND. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Any questions please reach out to Jerod or I.

RSVP: ndakbaseball@gmail.com

P.S. Bring your favorite new club LID to the social. 

Also ALL in attendance will receive a FREE high-five, knucks, or handshake, from a Commish of your choice ; >). 

Thank You! ~ We look forward to meeting you!

Supports the Mission of Babe Ruth League, Inc:

The Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball program, using regulation competitive baseball and softball rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. In all aspects, Babe Ruth League, Inc. is committed to providing our participants the very best educational, sports experience possible. It is our fundamental belief that every child with a desire to play baseball or softball be afforded that opportunity.

North Dakota is Babe Ruth & Cal Ripken Baseball Country!