The boys of summer have arrived in Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset this month to settle the score as the top regional youth baseball team. The two Lincoln County towns hosted District 4 Cal Ripken championships for 10 and Under and 12 Under divisions. Cal Ripken Jr. is a Hall of Fame baseball player known for setting the all-time Major League Baseball record for 2,632 consecutive games played. This year, Midcoast Baseball, which includes players for the Boothbay region, Wiscasset and Richmond, hosted both local tournaments. “We had two venues with lights so we thought why not host the tournament,” said John Splaine of Boothbay Harbor.

Splaine served as the tournament’s vice chairman during the June 14-18 tournament. Both Midcoast teams, 12 and Under and 10 Under, were eliminated early. On June 18, Ararat of Topsham defeated Brunswick at the Boothbay Region High School junior diamond for the 12 and Under title. Ararat also won the 10 and Under tournament played at the Wiscasset Recreation Department Field. 

Splaine believes the decision to join a Cal Ripken Youth League  several years ago benefitted the local baseball program. “We didn’t like how Little League had teams with 9-year-olds playing with 12-year-olds. We think the 10 and Under and 12 Under format serves our players better,” Splaine said. 

The two Ararat teams moved on to the state tournament on June 26-29. The 12 and Under tournament is in Auburn. The 10 and Under tournament is in Oakland. On June 24, Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset host another District 4 Cal Ripken tournament. The 11 and Under tournament is in Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset will host the 9 and Under tournament. 

District 4 teams include Midcoast, Brunswick, Ararat, Auburn, Lisbon and Bath.