In only its second year of existence, the Wilton Youth Baseball Program has grown to include nearly 400 players within five levels of play, and this summer achieved the ultimate success of qualifying four all-star teams for the state playoffs.   

All-star teams from each of the 9, 10, 11, and 12 age groups recently participated in the

Cal Ripken New York State tournament, with the age nine team continuing on to the semifinals this week playing for a bid to the mid-atlantic regional tournament.

This is believed to be the first time an area league has qualified a total of four youth baseball teams for the state playoffs; quite a feat for the second-year Wilton program.

“Hopefully in the end you can qualify four teams for state tournaments like we did this year,” said Wilton Youth Baseball President Tom Coons. “That is the ultimate goal, if you can do that you are pretty successful.”

The Wilton Program is about much more than wins and losses, however, and its success is also gauged by the players’ overall experience, a sentiment shared by the Cal Ripken Baseball Program Wilton participates in.

A subdivision of Babe Ruth baseball, the Cal Ripken program encourages the teaching of fundamentals of the game while emphasizing sportsmanship and the total experience of youth baseball, without focusing solely on wins and losses.

“We hope the kids learn more about baseball, we teach them the fundamentals and about good sportsmanship,” said Coons. “We want it to not only be a baseball lesson, but a place where they can meet new people and make new friends while playing baseball.”

The divisions range from T-ball, Rookie, Minor league, Major league, and the newly added Rebel teams for 13 year-olds. Boys between the ages of five and thirteen living in Wilton are eligible to play baseball in the program

In addition to a full summer schedule, Wilton offers a less competitive fall ball season where coaches have the opportunity to spend more time developing skills with players.

Adding to the success of the Wilton program is the tremendous parental support and

excellent coaching staff, all of whom must pass an on-line coaching certification course before stepping onto the field.

“We have quality coaches and a great support network from people who are very supportive of what we do,” added Coons.

Coons has also reached out into the community to garner additional support. Wilton recently partnered with Saratoga National Bank to form the Wilton Youth Baseball Scholarship program, and will hold it’s annual golf outing Saturday, September 15th at Airway Meadows.

More information on teams, schedules, and registration can be found at www.wiltonyouthbaseball.org.