Why Players Choose the Cal Ripken Sr. League

By Jackson Lynch

Every summer, college baseball players face a decision.

After a long spring season, what’s next? They can head home. They can stay on campus and train. They can take a summer job. Or they can choose from dozens of summer collegiate leagues spread across the country.

Year after year, players from all corners of the United States pack their bags and spend their summers in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League.

Some leave home for the first time. Many move in with host families and arrive knowing nobody on their team. For many players, the summer means spending nearly two months in a new environment surrounded by new teammates, coaches and communities.

So why do players select the Ripken Sr. League from all the options available to them?

The answer goes beyond any one reason.

A review of all eight 2026 Cal Ripken Sr. League rosters shows that 135 of the league's 309 players neither come from Washington D.C., Maryland, or Virginia nor attend college in the region. Nearly 44% of the league's players have no hometown or college connection to the DMV.

Still, they came. 

Since 2005, the CRSCBL has built a reputation as one of the nation's premier summer collegiate leagues. The league has produced hundreds of MLB Draft picks, more than three dozen major leaguers, and multiple MLB All-Stars and first-round selections.

Ask the players why they spend their summers in the Ripken Sr. League, and a few themes quickly emerge.

For many players, competition and development go hand in hand.

Bethesda Big Train outfielder Ryan Foscolo (University of Kentucky), a sophomore from Oviedo, Florida, said the opportunity to compete against outstanding talent while continuing to improve his own game made the league an easy choice.

"I chose the Cal Ripken League because of the elite level of competition year in and year out," Foscolo said. "This summer, I'm hoping to win a championship while also developing as a better player."

The CRSCBL’s wooden-bat format gives players a chance to compete in an environment that more closely resembles professional baseball and face talent from programs across the country.

Gaithersburg Giants catcher Ryan Strnad (Seton Hall), a sophomore from Katonah, New York, said the league's reputation weighed heavily in his decision.

"I chose the Ripken League because of the great competition and tradition," Strnad said. "This summer, I'm looking forward to competing for a championship while continuing to develop as a player."

Southern Maryland Senators infielder Jack Euart (Wofford College), a sophomore from Atlanta, pointed to both the level of play and the overall quality of the league.

"I would say just the competitive aspect of it as well as the camaraderie of the Senators and the Cal Ripken League itself," Euart said.

Metro South County Braves infielder Alejandro Vazquez (Bryant University), a junior from Coral Springs, Florida, echoed that sentiment.

"I was looking for a competitive league," Vazquez said. "I'm looking forward to meeting new guys, playing against good competition and having a successful summer."

While on-field opportunities may draw players to the Ripken Sr. League, many say the relationships are what leave the biggest impact.

Players spend nearly every day together throughout the summer. They share dugouts, batting cages and long nights at the ballpark. Many build friendships that last long after the season ends.

Few players understand that better than Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts outfielder Caleb Sturtevant (Millersville University), a senior from Denver, Pennsylvania. Sturtevant played in the league last summer and enjoyed the experience enough to return for another season.

"I came here last year, had a great time with the team and coaches, made a bunch of friends that I stayed in touch with throughout my season," Sturtevant said. "When asked if I wanted to come back, I said yes knowing about how great of a time I had."

Sturtevant's experience was not unique. Several players pointed to the spirit of the league and the people as a major reason they chose to spend their summer in the CRSCBL.

Beyond the field, players also become part of the communities they represent through youth baseball events, volunteer opportunities and other community outreach efforts during the summer.

Bethesda Big Train catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic), a junior from Boca Raton, Florida, said he heard about both the program and the community before arriving in Bethesda.

"I chose the Ripken League because of the amazing things I heard about coach Sal [Colangelo] and the community in Bethesda," Gramesty said. "I really hope to just mature as a person up here and become a better human and leader for when I get back to school."

Thunderbolts infielder Nolan Kutney (UMBC), a senior from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, said the Thunderbolts' coaching staff played a major role in his decision to return for another summer.

"I came back to the Thunderbolts because I knew it was a place where I could get my work in and continue developing as a player," Kutney said. "The coaches are willing to show up two hours early to throw extra batting practice or hit ground balls. They genuinely want to see players succeed and develop."

Many players echoed the sentiment that the decision comes down to the people involved. For some, a trusted coach or a strong recommendation can make all the difference.

Alexandria Aces outfielder Elijah Grant (Presbyterian College), a junior from Laurens, South Carolina, already knew exactly who he wanted to play for.

"The reason I came to the Cal Ripken League is because I was looking for a place where I could have some real fun playing summer ball," Grant said. "I knew [Aces head coach Brian Wirth] before he was the coach here. I loved playing under him and knew he was someone I could trust when it came to the way I play the game."

When Wirth called Grant and offered him the opportunity to play in Alexandria, the decision was easy.

"So when he called me and asked about playing under him, I was more than ready to come play," Grant said. "And so far I have enjoyed everything about being in the Cal Ripken League."

Stories like Grant's and Kutney’s show how much coaches and community can factor into a player's summer ball decision.

For many players, a summer in the Ripken Sr. League means living in a new area, meeting people from different backgrounds and experiencing life away from home. They spend months immersed in baseball while exploring the Washington-Baltimore region and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Every player has his own reason for selecting the Ripken Sr. League. For some, it is the elite competition. For others, it is the coaches, relationships and sense of community that come with spending a summer in the league. Whatever the reason, the CRSCBL continues to draw excellent players from around the country.