What does it take to win a state championship? Among many things, it takes dedication, teamwork, talent, hard work, a good attitude, coaches who know the game and how to coach it, supportive family members, sometimes a little luck and everyone buying into the vision established by the league and coaching staff. The Berlin-Gorham 12-and-under Cal Ripken all-star baseball team must have had those things going for them as they captured the championship in the recently held N.H. State Cal Ripken Baseball Tournament in Epping.
To add to the complications of winning a title, there were a few rain-outs, lots of travel — 2½ hours from Berlin — pitching counts and work schedules for coaches and parents. Finally, since this was a double-elimination tournament, a team does not want to lose the first game early as it becomes a long road to the finals if a team even gets that far.
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