U.S. Embassy Events

Ripken Baseball Hits Another Home Run 

WUXI, China - Six months after their first visit to China, Cal Ripken Baseball is back and today, May 5th, wrapped up an intensive seven day program of coaching and youth clinics at the Wuxi professional baseball stadium in Wuxi, China.  Like the program of six months ago, which was headed by American Public Diplomacy Envoy and Baseball Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr., this baseball diplomacy effort is sponsored by the Sports United Program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with close collaboration of Cal Ripken Baseball.  Over the last week more than 30 coaches and 25 young players from across China received specially designed clinics and expert instruction from a team of four Cal Ripken Baseball coaches, including 12 year MLB veteran player Billy Ripken, and the MLB director of baseball development in Asia, Rick Dell.  The week included 12 clinics, typically split between coaches and players, focusing on a full range of baseball fundamentals.  And most importantly, the week embodied the Cal Ripken Baseball philosophy of combining learning with "making it fun." 

Four of the most talented junior player participants, from a school for orphans and disadvantaged youth in Beijing, were flown down to Wuxi with their coach and school director, Li Wei.  Previously, Mr. Li visited the Cal Ripken Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, Maryland on a coaches exchange organized last year.  On the last day of clinics, Mr. Li said, "I am so glad to see baseball developing into more of a game in China.  Thanks to this program, these kids are getting an opportunity no one could have possibly dreamed about when I was young."  Appreciation for the Ripken instructors and program was widespread among all the Chinese coach participants, one adding, "We can't thank Ripken Baseball and America enough for what they are doing for baseball in China.  We are learning a lot."  From the smiles on the players it was easy to read their impression of the week.  The boys scrambled to thank the American coaches at the end of each day to express their gratitude.  A number of them explained that often times their baseball practices before were dull but this week they learned to get more out of each practice and to have fun.  One boy spoke for the group at the end of the last clinic, "This week went by way too fast. I love these coaches and hope they'll come back to China soon."

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