Robbinsdale and Crystal Little Leagues Merge
The Crystal and Robbinsdale little leagues will play as one association beginning this year.
The two local youth baseball leagues are combining forces due to a decline in participation.
Crystal Little League president John Ripka said four years ago there were about 170 players. That’s 20 more than last season.
“A lot of it has to do with the age of our community here,” explained Ripka. “Crystal and Robbinsdale are slightly older as far as the demographics and there aren’t a lot of young people coming in having families, so I think that’s part of why the trend is continuing downward.”
Ripka added that Crystal is land locked and has no way to expand their boundaries. He said the Robbinsdale Little League expanded this year to Minneapolis. Ripka hopes the expansion will recruit some players from Minnepolis to the Crystal and Robbinsdale little leagues.
The Little League International will have to approve the merge before both leagues can play together for the post-season.
Opening day is May 2nd.
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