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Babe Ruth League, Inc., comprised of Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, and Babe Ruth Softball, was just granted the largest gift it has ever received in its 51-year history.

At a press conference in Newark, Ohio, the Moundbuilders Babe Ruth League announced that it has turned over ownership of Don Edwards Park to Babe Ruth League, Inc., the international non-profit youth sports organization headquartered in Trenton, N.J. The move gained full support of city and county officials, and was initiated by the man after whom the complex is named - Donald L. Edwards.

Built in 1963, the nearly 30-acre complex is home to four regulation-sized diamonds, two of which are lighted. One of the fields is the focal point of a 3,000 seat stadium. In addition to the four ball fields are a large concession stand, office building, permanent restrooms, maintenance garages fully equipped with the tools and machinery necessary to maintain the property, and a ticket sales booth. The gift is valued at well over $1,000,000.

Babe Ruth League, Inc. President/CEO Ron Tellefsen spoke of his future vision for the park. "The changes to the facility will only be positive, improving on an already beautiful facility. We plan to add both Softball and Cal Ripken Baseball diamonds to the complex. We want to be partners with Newark and all of Licking County's communities." Tellefsen continued, "We are grateful for this generous gift, and even more grateful to have had the privilege of having Don Edwards volunteer his time and talents to the Babe Ruth program. Everything he has done here has obviously been a labor of love." Edwards was inducted to the Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame in 1997 and received the Vernon "Lefty" Gomez Volunteer of the Year award in 1992.

The Moundbuilders Babe Ruth League will continue to play its local season games at the complex. Licking County Sheriff Gerry Billy, spokesperson for Don Edwards Park said, "It's wonderful for our community. Our youth will continue to play in one of the premier parks in the United States." Edwards will serve as a consultant to Babe Ruth League, Inc. on matters involving the complex.

Additional future plans for Don Edwards Park include rules and grounds research, training, baseball and softball camps, clinics, tournaments, showcases, and World Series.

Babe Ruth League, Inc. is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to developing better citizens by providing properly supervised baseball and fastpitch softball competition for youth aged 5-18. Established in 1951, there are now over 7,600 leagues, more than 47,000 teams, and nearly 1,000,000 participants in the United States and internationally.