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THE TOTAL BABE RUTH LEAGUE EXPERIENCE!
Community provides a base
where one grows up and plays an integral part in the way
one will continue through life and how one will react to
the world. A community’s main focus should always be for
the betterment of our future citizens, our children. A
community’s role is to provide opportunities for our
youth so that they are encouraged to learn and to
eventually become responsible contributing adults who,
in turn, will help and guide the next generation.
A sense of community is an important aspect for parents
to participate in fostering positive development through
direct involvement with their kids. It is necessary for
children to develop respect for their neighbors and for
all their fellow human beings. In order for the next
generation to prosper and be happy, it is necessary to
have the strong symbol of unity in its crest. This is
forged through good, loving parenting and sprinkled with
a good dose of community togetherness.
The best way to accomplish such a goal is for a
community to offer fun activities where families can
spend time together. What could ever be more enjoyable
than a wholesome season playing baseball or softball?
The total Babe Ruth League package is the answer to
every community’s quest to bring its residents together.
It is a great way for everyone to get to know their
neighbors. The total Babe Ruth League package offers
something for everyone, young and old, from
participating to volunteering.
Many communities throughout the country do not realize
that the Babe Ruth program offers an excellent package.
This community-based package is dedicated to developing
better citizens by providing properly supervised
baseball and softball competition for players 5 through
18 years of age. The baseball and softball programs
offer the same great benefits and the same exhilarating
tournament trail.
Keeping baseball fun, especially in the early stages of
youth baseball, is the primary concern of Babe Ruth
League, Inc.’s Cal Ripken Baseball Division (5-12 years
of age), which is comprised of Major, Minor, Rookie and
T-Ball divisions. The T-Ball league is recommended for
5- and 6-year-olds to teach the fundamentals of hitting
and fielding, while learning to bat from a tee. The
Rookie league division, recommended for 7-, 8- and
9-year-olds, uses a pitching machine concept, which
results in more action at the plate and in the field,
while avoiding the fear of being hit by a pitched ball.
The Minor league division, recommended for 9- and 10-
year-olds, helps players to continue to build and refine
their fundamental skills and gain a better understanding
of the game. The Major division, recommended for 11- and
12-year-olds, is played on a 60-foot diamond with a
pitching distance of 46 feet. This division plays by the
Official Baseball Rules, but implements some special
rules as is necessary for the development and welfare of
this young age group.
The foundation of the program is our 13-15 Baseball
Division, which was founded in 1951. Each local league
organization charters as a member league but with
authority to administer its own program within the
framework of the Rules and Regulations and guidance of
Babe Ruth League, Inc.
A unique part of the 13-15 Division is the 13-Year-Old
Prep league. Studies have shown that many young players
lose interest in the game of baseball when they do not
get ample playing time in games once selected for an
organized team. In addition, it has been found that
players have expressed fear of competing with 14- and
15-year-old players who have already experienced one to
two years on the regulation size 90-foot diamond. With
the 13-Year-Old Prep League, the 13-year-old player has
a chance to play with his peers, thus avoiding the
possibility of losing interest in playing baseball.
The 16-18 Baseball Division is designed to provide
organized regulation baseball competition for 16-, 17-
18- and 19-year-olds as a development plateau where they
can continue to learn and practice those principles
which will help carry them through to a satisfactory and
productive adulthood.
Based on the success and the same philosophies of the
13-Year-Old Prep League, the 16-Year-Old Prep league was
organized to provide an ongoing learning process for its
players. A 15-Year-Old Swing Player Option allows for
participation of 15’s and 16’s playing together under
the rules and regulations of Babe Ruth League, Inc.
The primary emphasis of the total Babe Ruth League
package is on the local league season, education, skill
development, participation for ALL players at ALL levels
of athletic ability and to ensure the participants have
FUN. It is our fundamental belief that every child with
a desire to play baseball or softball be afforded that
opportunity.
Babe Ruth League, Inc. has always encouraged its member
leagues to accept all players regardless of their
physical or mental ability. The Bambino Buddy-Ball
Division was established for organizations who wish to
charter a league which encompasses only challenged
players ages 5-19 who are either physically and/or
mentally challenged. This division makes allowance for a
“buddy” to help the player swing a bat, round the bases,
catch a ball, etc. There are no restrictions to the age
of the “buddy”. A Bambino Buddy-Ball team may be
comprised of players ages 5-19 and sometimes older. Babe
Ruth League, Inc. is designed so that everyone has the
opportunity to have FUN.
A special highlight for the more advanced players is an
annual tournament trail which commences with league
playoffs and the selection of a tournament team for
District competition, with the winner advancing on to
the State and Regional tournaments. The eight Regional
winners, within each division for which there is World
Series competition, will go on to compete in a World
Series. The eight regions are territories from across
the United States and Canada. Babe Ruth League, Inc.
currently offers nine World Series: Cal Ripken
10-Year-Old Baseball World Series; Cal Ripken
12-Year-Old Baseball World Series; 13-Year-Old Baseball
World Series; 14-Year-Old Baseball World Series; 13-15
Baseball World Series; 16-Year-Old Baseball World
Series; 16-18 Baseball World Series; Softball 12U World
Series and a Softball 16U World Series. The Softball 14U
teams compete in an annual national invitational
tournament.
A community’s role is to develop the potential of all
its citizens by providing entertaining opportunities for
personal growth for both young and old. A community and
its residents need to help develop its youth for the
present and beyond. A community must help to fulfill and
strengthen its families’ potentials through social and
enjoyable involvement. Most important, a community needs
to be a good example to its youth via providing
excellent role models and demonstrating sportsmanship so
our youth can learn to become productive members of
society. Our youth should be able to see good morals,
goals and standards being set so they are able to learn
from example from those around them.
Get to know your neighbors and enjoy getting involved in
your community. The Babe Ruth League "total package" is
the route to take. It’s an avenue by which you have the
opportunity to involve everyone in your community.
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