The idea of The Aberdeen Project probably started on September 6, 1995, the night that Cal Ripken, Jr. became baseball’s all-time “Ironman” when he played in his 2,131st consecutive game. That evening Cal received a $75,000 gift from the Major League Baseball Player’s Association to build a “Field of Dreams” in the Ripken hometown of Aberdeen, MD. Cal, Bill and the entire Ripken family liked the idea, but started to think much bigger. Why refurbish one field in Aberdeen when they could do something on a much grander scale? The Aberdeen Project consists of several phases: Phase 1 The first phase of the project was construction of Ripken Stadium, a state-of-the-art, family oriented minor league ballpark, which opened to rave reviews in June of 2002. The IronBirds enjoyed sellout crowds for each of its 38 home dates and finished second in the NY-Penn League in attendance. Ripken Stadium is home to the Aberdeen IronBirds, the Baltimore Orioles Class A affiliate in the NY-Penn League. The $18 Million ballpark has been packed throughout its inaugural season. In January, 2002, Ripken Professional Baseball purchased the Utica Blue Sox in the NY-Penn League and moved them to Aberdeen. With the generous assistance of Peter Angelos and the Orioles organization, the team fittingly became an Orioles affiliate, the team’s 7th minor league team, most among big league franchises.
Next Phases The next phase of The Aberdeen Project will be construction of the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy. Grading has already begun for several youth fields that will be ready for play in 2003. Ripken Baseball wants to get several useable fields in place as soon as possible so their mission of growing the game of baseball can be taken to the next level. The ballpark structure around the fields will follow in due time after the fields are constructed and ready for use next year. In 2003 the Cal Ripken World Series moves to its permanent home in Aberdeen. The 2003 CRWS will be played at Ripken Stadium. The minor league park will be retro-fitted to accommodate the 12 year-old athletes in the tournament. Cal, Sr's Yard, a state of the art youth-sized version of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, will be the future permanent home of the Cal Ripken World Series. It is being built by the Cal Ripken, Sr Foundation and will be completed as the necessary funds are raised. For more information on the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and its goals log onto www.ripkenfoundation.org and for more information on the Cal Ripken Division of Babe Ruth log onto www.baberuthleague.org
Final Phase The fourth phase of the Aberdeen Project will consist of future development. Ripken Baseball, the City of Aberdeen, Harford County and the State of Maryland will work together to assure that the land in and around the complex will fit the theme of baseball, families and fun.
