The Outdoor Life Network and the Cal Ripken Senior Foundation, part of Ripken Baseball, have inked a deal to televise the Cal Ripken World Series ? marking the first time the youth tournament has aired nationally.
The deal will run through at least the 2007 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“We really like the fact that OLN has a national platform,” said Jay Moskowitz, a spokesman with Ripken Baseball. “As a network, they?re looking to grow their sports offerings and this certainly fits in with that.”
In previous years, the championship had been televised regionally on Comcast?s Fox Sports Network. Now in its seventh year, the 2006 Cal Ripken World Series will feature 15 teams ? 10 from the U.S. and five international teams from Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico and South Korea.
The games will be held at Cal Sr.?s Yard at the Ripken Youth Academy in Aberdeen Aug. 18 to 20. The televised games will be available to cable and DirectTV subscribers.
“It certainly is our hope and our aim [to increase exposure] for the Cal Ripken World Series and OLN is very committed to publicizing this event,” Moskowitz said. “It?s pure and it?s about the kids and about baseball at the youth level. With OLN, we really think we?ll be able to grow the game.”
Meanwhile, Alison Eshelman, a spokeswoman for OLN, which will change its name to Versus in September, said bringing the Ripken World Series to the network will further its reputation for providing in-depth sports coverage.
The network is home to the National Hockey League and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as best-in-class events like the Tour de France, the America?s Cup, the Professional Bull Riders and professional boxing.
“As we move forward and transition as a network, we try to look for those tent-pole events that audiences look for and can?t find elsewhere,” Eshelman said. “Hopefully the whole weekend of coverage will grow the exposure for the sport of youth baseball. The kids are playing for the love of the game and this really brings viewers closer to that.”
World Series line-up
» Friday, August 18
12:00 p.m. – 3rd International vs. 2nd International
2:30 p.m. – 2nd American vs. 1st National
5:00 p.m. – 4th International vs. 1st International
7:30 p.m. – 2nd National vs. 1st American
» Saturday, August 19
4:00 p.m. – International Championship Game
6:30 p.m. – U.S. Championship Game
» Sunday, August 20
5:00 p.m. – World Series Championship Game
