For the Black Hills Youth Baseball 11U All Stars, earning a spot at the Cal Ripken World Series is a dream come true. Throughout the season, the team has worked to improve their craft and build sportsmanship skills, patiently preparing for an opportunity to represent their hometown on a regional and national stage. The Cal Ripken World Series takes place in Crown Point, Indiana, from August 6 to August 16, 2026, where the Black Hills 11U All Stars are competing with teams from across the United States, Curacao and Mexico.
Black Hills Baseball 11U All Stars Win Regional Championship and Advance to World Series
The Black Hills 11 U All Stars are a part of the Black Hills Youth Baseball organization, where young athletes from Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater ages 6 to 15 can hone their baseball skills, stay active and make new friends. The Black Hills 11U All Stars season spanned the spring and summer, where the team competed in a number of weekend baseball tournaments. Because the All Star lineup may vary from year to year, these tournaments have been instrumental for players to get to know one another and bond as a team.
In early July, the Black Hills 11U All Stars attended the Northwest Washington Cal Ripken State Tournament in Port Angeles. The 11U All Stars ultimately took home second place, remaining competitive until the final inning of the championship game. Due to their strong showing at the state tournament, the 11U All Stars were granted an at-large bid to the Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament in Meridian, Idaho, in late July, primarily playing against teams from Idaho and Oregon.
The initial phase of the tournament involved a handful of nail-biting finishes. In one game, the 11U All Stars won on a walk-off two run home run. In another, the team’s victory came down to the final strike. The Black Hills 11U All Stars then advanced to the quarter finals, where they defeated the Kennewick Americans team. In the semifinals, the 11U All Stars defeated Meridian. In the championship game, the Black Hills 11U All Stars had a breakout performance, winning the game ten to three against East Boise.
“They saved their best baseball for the last day,” says Justin Mears, head coach for the Black Hills Youth Baseball 11U All Stars.
Black Hills Youth Baseball 11U All Stars Look Forward to World Series Experience
The young athletes that make up the Black Hills 11U All Stars are thrilled that they met their initial goal of reaching the regional tournament, and as the World Series approaches, the team is looking forward to playing on this elevated stage. As head coach, Mears has brought a balanced approach to World Series preparation, acknowledging the strength of the team and their ability to compete at this elite level of baseball. Mears also hopes that the young athletes are able to enjoy this unique moment, meet fellow youth baseball players from across the continent and make lifelong memories.
“I want to make sure that all 13 boys on the team have the best experience possible in what is a once in a lifetime moment,” says Mears.
This season, Mears selected a well-rounded staff of assistant coaches, Jeff Brooks, Josh Deck and Sam Martin, who have not only helped with game management and technical skills, but have also prioritized the mental-well being of the athletes. And the team’s emphasis on emotional wellbeing has paid off as the season progressed, with players demonstrating sportsmanship and care for their fellow teammates.
Community Rallies to Support Black Hills Baseball 11U All Stars During World Series Bid
At the Cal Ripken World Series, the Black Hills 11U All Stars are representing the Pacific Northwest region, and initial games of the series include play against a smaller grouping of teams. The Black Hills 11U All Stars will begin the World Series in Pool C, alongside teams from South Lexington, Kentucky, Valparaiso, Indiana, Manoa, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The top teams from each pool will advance to the World Series Bracket, and the other teams will move on to the Ironman Bracket.
In preparation for the Cal Ripken World Series, the Black Hills 11U American All Stars have received support from many different facets of the community. The head coach of Olympia High School baseball, Derek Weldon, loaned practice space to the team in the weeks leading up to the World Series. A GoFundMe was also established to help athletes and their families with travel expenses to Crown Point, Indiana, and has raised almost $14,000 to date. There have also been generous donations from individual business and community members in support of the team’s travels.
As Mears looks forward to being in the dugout for the 11U All Stars at the Cal Ripken World Series, he is also proud of the talent across all of Black Hills Youth Baseball, with many teams and age groups showing up strong in tournament play this season.
“It’s been really impressive what Black Hills Youth Baseball has done as a whole organization this year,” says Mears. “And so we’re thankful to be able to represent them on the national stage of the World Series, but it’s definitely worth pointing out all the success the other teams have had, too.”
To learn more about teams from the Black Hills Youth Baseball, visit the Black Hills Youth Baseball website. To follow the Black Hills Youth Baseball 11U All Stars on their journey at the Cal Ripken World Series, visit the Babe Ruth League website.
