Nashua’s three existing Cal Ripken programs will merge into one starting with the 2013 season and become Nashua Cal Ripken, according to the president of the new comprehensive league.

“We’re very excited about the opportunities that this merger will bring for our players and families,” Frank McNally said. “This has been a long time coming and will allow us to simplify the registration process, create a uniform player development program across the city, and even allow us to be more competitive in post season play.”

The merger will bring together the former Nashua North, Nashua South and Nashua Central Cal Ripken programs. Nashua Central was formed in 2012 when two of the then-four leagues, Nashua Northwest and Nashua West Cal Ripken, merged. 

“We started the ball rolling in 2012 when West and Northwest came together to take two great programs and made them one. This success, combined with the high caliber of the South and North programs makes the league even stronger and that much better,” McNally said. “The North and South programs have always been outstanding, well run, competitive organizations for years. I’m excited about the opportunity for all of us to be on the same side of the field rather than playing across for each other.”

Cal Ripken Baseball is the younger level of the national Babe Ruth program for children ages 41?2-12 years old. The organization offers T-Ball, Rookie, Minor, AAA and Major levels.

“In addition to the extensive experience that our coaches offer, we bring in local athletes and instructors from the high school levels and professionals throughout New England to supplement our program through specialized clinics,” McNally said. “The level of instruction that our Cal Ripken program offers is second to none.”

All three league presidents and their boards of directors worked on the merger, including David Deane, former president of Nashua North, and Ken Kozyra, former president of Nashua South. McNally, originally the president of the Nashua Northwest program, took over as president of Nashua Central in 2012 before being elected as the first president of the new Nashua Cal Ripken program.

Both Deane and Kozyra will continue their service on the new board of directors comprised of volunteers from all three leagues.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for David and Ken and the work that they have done in conjunction with their Boards of Directors in building such solid programs,’’ McNally said. “Our focus this season will include preserving the history of these great programs starting with dedicating a section of our website to their history and successes. We collectively felt that it was time to bring the city under one umbrella to allow all players to play on the same teams as their classmates and neighbors.’’

McNally said many of the players in the program have moved on to achieve great successes on the playing field, most recently Brad Zapenas, who started at shortstop for Boston College as a freshman and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2012.

Registration fees for the 2013 spring season are $50 per player, with a $60 maximum fee per family.

More information is available at www.nashuacalripken.org.

Questions may be directed to
info@nashuacalripken.org.