Charles County, Maryland champion coaches Mark Calvert and JD Kirby along with athletes Clark Burroughs and Seth White are enthusiastic to be playing baseball in their home state of Maryland where their journey began with the support from all the local fans in the 12u Cal Ripken World Series.

    The event will be held at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland from Friday, August 9th until Sunday, August 18th where the final game will occur for the world championship title. Ten national and six international teams compete including Japan, Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, and so many more U.S. states and countries.

    “Will we have backing [fans]? Yes. Is there more pressure? I don’t know, but I think we are up to it,” said Calvert.

    The team’s dedication comes from pure enjoyment and thrill for the sport. According to Burroughs and White, they rather play baseball constantly with friends and if they had the choice of another activity, it would be wiffle ball. Baseball is a lifestyle for these young athletes and it never stops their momentum.

    “It’s a team sport so I get to meet a lot of new people through it and yeah, I get to hang out with my friends,” said White.

    The most difficult challenge for the team is being secure and staying relaxed throughout the games and not getting overwhelmed by the experience.

    “We have plenty of talent, we have big bats, good arms…but it all depends on how they handle bright lights and all of the surroundings of the World Series,” said Calvert.

    Calvert has been at the Cal Ripken World Series before with his son who was twelve at the time, but is now is seventeen.

    “We got comfortable quick and finished third in the country and in our pool, we were ranked second,” said Calvert. “We are trying to share some wisdom and experience and if they get comfortable early, we can really do well. It’s just a matter of getting comfortable.”

    The toughest competition for Maryland is Japan because they scrimmaged the team a day before opening ceremonies on Thursday, August 8th, but the game did not turn out as well as planned.

    “We’re getting well once we get the nerves out,” said Calvert.

    The team’s goal is to just stay “comfortable” and that is the key to their success, but the coaches know their team bond is there well enough to get them past that hurdle.

    “…we’ve been coaching this team for five years with a core of eight or nine kids and you really get to know them; spending a lot of time with them,” said Calvert.

    Furthermore, it takes awhile for the children to realize that they are playing with champion athletes from all over the world who may not even speak the same language as them and traveled thousands of miles to arrive, while it took Maryland a few hours.

    White jokingly stated at the press conference, “I met Korea in the bathroom…It was a little awkward…he tried to talk to me.”

    Additionally, the Charles County champions have many superstitions that help them perform successfully in a game such as carrying around a baseball printed as the American flag.

    “I use Monkey Butt,” said Burroughs laughingly. “It’s baby powder.”

    Calvert interrupted Burroughs. “We found that out in Cooperstown. We found out a lot of things in Cooperstown,” said Calvert.

    The whole team spent a week in Cooperstown together playing baseball and they truly had a “blast,” according to Calvert. The players and coaches gained a stronger relationship and even acquired knowledge about each other that was unknown such as using Monkey Butt baby powder as a good-luck charm.

    “I am so excited to go watch the Cal Ripken World Series,” said senior Becky Burgess. “Right now, I have an exchange student from Japan at my house for a few weeks and it’s going to be interesting if Maryland has to play Japan in a real game. I do not know who I will root for, but I know we are taking her to the game against Dominican Republic.”

    Kirby, Calvert, Burroughs, White, and team Maryland State are all prepared for their game against Southwest on Saturday, May 10th at 8pm. According to the team, they are unsure of the outcome, but are just going to stick to staying “comfortable,” using that baby powder, and keeping that American baseball close by for another triumphant win.