Babe Ruth League: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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The '''Babe Ruth League''' is an international youth baseball and softball league based in [[Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey|Hamilton]], [[New Jersey]], US named after [[Babe Ruth|George Herman "Babe" Ruth]]. (~~1895-1948~~1895–1948), world famous American professional baseball player, from 1914- to 1933,. He played beginning at age 19 in his hometown of [[Baltimore]] in 1914 at the minor league level of the [[International League]] ~~[[American~~with ~~League|of his hometown]]~~the legendary [[Baltimore Orioles (minor league)|Baltimore Orioles]], then traded up to the major leagues as first a pitcher to the [[Boston Red Sox]] in the [[American League]]. Then he went on to his greatest career during the 1920s and 30s as an outfielder / slugger with the previously lack-luster [[New York Yankees]] becoming the nicknamed "Sultan of ~~Seat~~Swat" and transforming them with additional talented players into the feared "Bronx Bombers" for their first of several decades-long ~~dynasty~~dynasties. In his later declining years, he served briefly as player / manager with the old [[Boston Braves]] of the competing [[National League (baseball)|National League]]

The parent program, beof the "Babe Ruth League, Incorporated," is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization.<ref name="vabr">[http://vababeruth.com/organization/history.php "History of Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia"]. ''vababeruth.com''. Accessed August 4, 2012.</ref>

The Babe Ruth League programs of youth baseball sports has increased steadily from its first 10-team league in [[Hamilton, New Jersey]] / [[Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey]], to its present combined size of well over one million youngsters / boys players on some 60,000+ youth teams in more than 11,000 leagues and over 1.9 million ~~volunteers.~~ ~~The~~additional Babe Ruth League consists of five divisions: Cal Ripken Baseball (ages 4–12), Babe Ruth Baseball (ages 13–18), Babe Ruth Softball (ages 4–18), Bambino Buddy Ball (ages 5–20), and Xtreme Fastpitch (ages 6–18)volunteers.~~<ref name="About Babe Ruth League">Babe Ruth League, Inc. [http://www.baberuthleague.org/about-babe-ruth-league.aspx "About Babe Ruth League"]</ref>~~

The Babe Ruth League programs consists of five age divisions: Cal Ripken Baseball (ages 4–12), Babe Ruth Baseball (ages 13–18), Babe Ruth Softball (ages 4–18), Bambino Buddy Ball (ages 5–20), and Xtreme Fastpitch (ages 6–18).<ref name="About Babe Ruth League">Babe Ruth League, Inc. [http://www.baberuthleague.org/about-babe-ruth-league.aspx "About Babe Ruth League"]</ref>

[[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] inductees who played Babe Ruth League include [[Carl Yastrzemski]], [[Joe Morgan]], [[Jim Palmer]], [[Rod Carew]], [[George Brett]], [[Nolan Ryan]], [[Cal Ripken Jr.]], [[Frank Thomas (designated hitter)|Frank Thomas]], [[Randy Johnson]], [[John Smoltz]], and [[Mike Piazza]].<ref name="2010kit">Babe Ruth League, Inc. [http://s4.parature.com/ics/support/DLRedirect.asp?fileID=58535 "2010 League Inquiry Kit"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216174434/http://s4.parature.com/ics/support/DLRedirect.asp?fileID=58535 |date=2016-02-16 }} pdf download. Accessed August 3, 2012.</ref>

==History==

In 1951, ten men who believed that the future of their ~~community~~communities depended upon the proper development of ~~the~~ young people met at the historic Yardville Hotel in [[Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey|Hamilton]], [[New Jersey]], for the purpose of developing a baseball program for young men between 13 and 15 years of age. Babe Ruth League, Inc. recognizes Marius D. Bonacci as the Founding Father of the program, along with the contribution of the following nine men, Samuel M. Welch, Ferdinand J. Wagner, Ed Jones, Ted Jasek, Cliff Fovour, Boots Snyder, William Dombrowski, Maskill Paxson and Willard Carson Jr.<ref name="About Babe Ruth League" /> Originally organized under the name Little Bigger League, [[Claire Merritt Ruth]], the widow of the lamented deceased George Herman[[Babe Ruth|"Babe Ruth]]," (1895–1948), met with the league's organizers six years later in 1954 and authorized them to rename the league in Ruth's memory and honor.<ref>Johnson, Gary. [http://www.t-g.com/story/1111887.html "All-star team heading south for regional"]. Shelbyville (TN) ''Times-Gazette'', July 29, 2005, retrieved August 3, 2012.</ref>

In 1974, the 13-Year-Old Prep League level was added. The Prep League allows 13-year-old players to make the transition to the regulation size diamond, while competing with peers their own age.

In 1982, the Babe Ruth ~~Baseball~~League baseball organization added yet another division to its program, the Bambino division for players ages 4–12.

InAgain in 1984, Babe Ruth League, Inc. added another dimension to its program, with Babe Ruth Softball. The Softball Division aimed at girls and young women encompasses players 4 to 18 years of age. The program was organized because Babe Ruth League, Inc. saw a need for a quality national softball program promoting the slightly different game of [[Softball]], with its adjusted dimensions and measurements plus equipment. The softball program was designed to focus on all ability levels of young female athletes, providing them with the same enriching pleasurable athletic experience as much as the longtime boy's baseball divisions.

July 6, 1999 was the beginning of a new era for Babe Ruth League, Inc. The Bambino Division was renamed "Cal Ripken Baseball, a Division of Babe Ruth League, Inc. Famous "Ironman" player for the legendary [[Baltimore Orioles]][[Cal Ripken Jr.|. Cal Ripken Jr.]]' s visions and philosophies, molded by his father, longtime Oriole coach and manager [[Cal Ripken Sr.]], (1935–1999), directly parallel those of Babe Ruth League, Inc. Now two of the most prolific legends and heroes in baseball inspire in our youth participants their knowledge, spirit and pure passion for the game.

In 2000 the Buddy-Ball Division for players ages 5–20 who are physically and/or mentally challenged was renamed the Bambino BuddyBall Division. A "buddy" helps the player swing a bat, round the bases, catch a ball.

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==== Major/70 ====

Features a 50' pitching distance and 70' base paths, this division is offered as an option to the major division format, and includes a tournament trail from District competition through the World Series in [[Branson, Missouri]] featuring eight International Champions.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Cal Ripken Baseball - A Division of Babe Ruth League, Inc.|url = http://www.baberuthleague.org/cal-ripken-baseball.aspx|website = Babe Ruth League, Inc.|~~accessdate~~access-date = 2015-09-28}}</ref>

==== Major/60 ====

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=== Babe Ruth Baseball ===

==== 13–15 ====

Also known as Senior Babe Ruth Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball was created for ballplayers ages 13–15 who wished to continue their baseball playing experience beyond the age of 12. This is where players get their baseball cleats muddy for the first time on standard 90' diamonds under Official Baseball Rules used by Major League Baseball. In this division, teams are eligible to enter tournament competition and move along the tournament trail, culminating in a World Series. Three World Series are held in this division: one for 13 year-old players, one for 13 and 14 year-old players, and the 13–15 World Series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Babe Ruth Baseball|url=http://www.baberuthleague.org/babe-ruth-baseball.aspx|publisher=Babe Ruth League, Inc.|~~accessdate~~access-date=2015-09-28}}</ref> In 2019, the 13–15 World Series was held in Bismarck, ND and was attended by several former participants from the 1969 winning team, including [[Scott McGregor (left-handed pitcher)|Scott MacGregor]].

==== 13 Year-Old Prep ====

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=== Babe Ruth Softball ===

[[File:Babe Ruth Softball logo.svg|thumb|right|Logo for Babe Ruth Softball]]

Designed for girls ages 4–18, age divisions offered include: 6 & Under, 8 & Under, 10 & Under, 12 & Under, 14 & Under, 16 & Under and 18 & Under. The primary emphasis of Babe Ruth Softball is on education, skill development, participation for all levels of ability and of course, having fun.<ref name="Babe Ruth Softball">{{Cite web|title = Babe Ruth Softball|url = http://www.baberuthleague.org/babe-ruth-softball.aspx|website = Babe Ruth League, Inc.|~~accessdate~~access-date = 2015-09-28}}</ref>

A special highlight of Babe Ruth Softball is its annual tournament trail. Tournament teams from each local league are eligible to participate in District competition with winners advancing to the State and Regional levels. Entry to the official Babe Ruth Softball tournament trail is free. 12 & Under and 16 & Under Divisions advance to a World Series. Babe Ruth Softball also offers an invitational World Series for the 8 & Under, 10 & Under, and 14 & Under divisions.<ref name="Babe Ruth Softball"/>

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=== Bambino Buddy-Ball ===

[[File:Bambino Buddy-Ball logo.svg|thumb|left|Logo for Bambino Buddy Ball]]

The Bambino Buddy-Ball Division was established for organizations who wish to charter a league that encompasses players ages 5–20 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 composed of players ages 5–20 and sometimes older. The Bambino Buddy-Ball division is designed so that everyone has the opportunity to have fun.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Bambino Buddy-Ball|url = http://www.baberuthleague.org/bambino-buddy-ball.aspx|website = Babe Ruth League, Inc.|~~accessdate~~access-date = 2015-09-28}}</ref>

The Bambino Buddy-Ball Division allows our challenged or special needs athletes to develop confidence and positive self-esteem. It allows them to be part of organized sports and assists with physical fitness as well as their social skills. The joy and emotion you experience when you put on that first baseball uniform or cap on a challenged ~~child’s~~child's head is like no other. As you can see, the Bambino Buddy-Ball Division is an emotionally rewarding experience for everyone as it also allows the “buddies” to feel good about helping their challenged friends, while at the same time making it a fun and memorable time for all.

=== Xtreme Fastpitch ===

[[File:Xtreme Fastpitch logo.svg|thumb|right|Logo for Xtreme Fastpitch]]

There are no geographical boundaries limiting where the players who sign up for an Xtreme team come from. Participating leagues can sign up a group of players from any geographical make-up and form a team to play other Xtreme teams in special games or tournaments throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Xtreme Fastpitch|url = http://www.baberuthleague.org/xtreme-fastpitch.aspx|website = Babe Ruth League, Inc.|~~accessdate~~access-date = 2015-09-28}}</ref>

Xtreme teams are eligible to play at their own facility or in local tournaments. Playing rules match High School and College playing rules to better prepare players for the next level of competition.

== Regions ==

Babe Ruth League consists of 8 Regions.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Babe Ruth League Regions|url = http://www.baberuthleague.org/regions.aspx|website = Babe Ruth League, Inc.|~~accessdate~~access-date = 2015-09-28}}</ref>

* Ohio Valley – ([[Kentucky]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Ohio]], [[Michigan]], [[Wisconsin]], and [[West Virginia]])

* Middle Atlantic – ([[New Jersey]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[Delaware]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Maryland]], and [[Ontario]])

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Babe Ruth League offers 12 World Series to its leagues to compete in.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 2015 Babe Ruth League World Series|url = http://www.baberuthworldseries.org|website = Babe Ruth League, Inc.|~~accessdate~~access-date = 2015-09-28}}</ref> The Babe Ruth World Series follows the tournament trail of Districts, States, Regionals, and the World Series. At the World Series, 8 Regional Champions along with the Host League and State Champion compete for the World Series Title. The World Series can be hosted by any chartered league which in turn gets an automatic bid into the World Series.

The Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series is hosted annually at Ballparks of America in [[Branson, MO]]. 8 International Teams compete for the International Championship with the winner playing the US Champion for the World Championship.