The Ripken Way

Cal Ripken, Jr., Cal Ripken, Sr., and Bill Ripken

The Foundation employs "The Ripken Way" teaching principles in all camps, clinics, and character education programming.  Cal and Bill Ripken worked to develop this methodology, based on their father’s teachings, which stresses four fundamental principles:

Keep It Simple
The Ripkens believe that the only way to reach young players is to meet them at their own level.  Simple, basic lessons are crucial in building a foundation that will last.  When teaching gets too complicated, it is difficult to remember and becomes frustrating.

Explain Why
It isn’t enough to instruct; you have to explain.  Young players have an innate need to understand the reason behind the teaching.  When lessons make sense to them, they will build confidence and stick to them.

Make It Fun
In order to succeed in baseball or softball, you have to learn the fundamentals.  In order to learn the fundamentals, young players need to have fun when they are starting out.  Lessons and skills that must be practiced over and over will grow boring unless they are made entertaining, both in baseball and in life.

Celebrate the Individual
No two players are alike, so why should they be treated as if they are?  Cal Ripken, Jr.’s career was a testament to the fact that each player has his or her own comfort zones, strengths, and style that may change over time.  There is no one right way.  This is true beyond baseball, too.  When kids feel comfortable with their own unique style, they build confidence and are more likely to succeed.