The Cal Ripken World Series brings together the best 11 and 12 year old baseball players from around the world. Ten teams from the United States earn their way into the event by traversing their respective tournament trails, and six international teams are invited to the event by the Babe Ruth League.
Australia has participated in the Cal Ripken World Series since 2002. As there are no national championships that directly relate to this international event, players are nominated by their State/Territory Associations following local trial days to identify those athletes that meet bench mark performance guidelines.
To be eligible to play in the 2012 Cal Ripken World Series, athletes must be born on or after 1 May 1999 and players who are part of the winning National Little League Championship roster going to the Asia Pacific Championships do not qualify for selection.
In 2011 Australia won the prestigious Cal Ripken World Series Skills Competition. As part of the opening ceremony a Pre-Tournament Skills Competition is conducted demonstrating a range of skills; Home Run Derby, Turn Two (ground ball doubles), Golden Spike (base running) and Bean Bob (throwing accuracy). This was the first time an Australian team had won this competition.
This year Australia will compete against Canada, Dominicana, Harford, Japan, Maryland, Mexico, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest Plains, New England, Ohio Valley, Pacific NW, Pacific SW, Korea, Southeast, Southwest.
