For the first time since the late 1940s, the Newberry Little League will not have a Little League charter. The league recently announced that starting this year there will be a Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth Softball League.
Last year, Newberry celebrated its 75th anniversary as a Little League program. A message requesting comment from the Newberry Cal Ripken League was not returned.
According to the Newberry Cal Ripken League Facebook page, there are no border restrictions like there are in Little League. That means everyone in Lycoming County is eligible to play for the Newberry Cal Ripken League.
“Little League International is disappointed with the Newberry Little League Board’s decision to move away from our program but remains committed to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to participate in a Little League program.” Little League International said in a statement to the Sun Gazette. “Little League district and regional officials have been made aware of current families in the Newberry community who wish to continue participating in an affiliated Little League program and will work with them to ensure they have the opportunity to do so.”
Those Newberry players who are still interested in playing Little League are eligible to play for either the Williamsport Area Little League or the South Williamsport Little League, according to District 12.
Players living on the north side of the Susquehanna River can play for WALL. Players who live on the south side of the Susquehanna River can play for South Williamsport.
Newberry has had a lot of success in District 12 when it comes to the offseason. In major baseball, the Newberry Little League won a total of 17 District 12 championships and competed in the 1947 National Little League Tournament and the 1969 Little League World Series. In 1969 Newberry lost in the quarterfinals and played through in the consolation class against Germany (4-1) and Puerto Rico (2-1). Newberry remains the last Lycoming County team to reach the Little League World Series in the Major Baseball division.
Newberry won the District 12 Major Baseball titles in 2012, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1978, 1976, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1959, 1959 and 1959.
In softball, Newberry won 10 district titles, the last coming in 1996. Newberry won titles in 1996, 1995, 1989, 1987, 1982, 1981 and a streak of four consecutive titles from 1975-78. District 12’s first major softball tournament was in 1974.
