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- From Humble Beginnings…
- To The Cutting Edge of The
- Youth Sports Arena
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- Over a half century ago, a group of men dedicated to the youth of
America met in a suburb of Trenton, New Jersey and formed what became
the very first Babe Ruth League.
Babe Ruth Baseball caught on nationally, then internationally. It now ranks as the premier amateur
baseball and softball program in the world.
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- Babe Ruth League, Inc. recognizes Marius E. Bonacci as the Founding
Father of the program, along with the contribution of the following nine
men, Samuel Welch, Ferdinand J. Wagner, Ed Jones, Ted Jasek, Cliff
Fovour, Boots Snyder, William Dombrowski, Maskill Paxson and Willard
Carson, Jr.
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- These ten men formed the Hamilton Township Little Bigger Baseball
League, the forerunner of Babe Ruth Baseball. On May 14, 1951, the first ever Little
Bigger League game was played between the Homedell Civic Association and
the White Horse Fire Company at Switllik Park.
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- From that game on, Babe Ruth League, Inc. grew from its first 10-team
league in Hamilton Township, New Jersey to its present combined size of
over 986,000 players on some 52,000 teams in more than 8,600 leagues and
over 1.9 million volunteers.
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- The Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball Program, using regulation competitive
baseball and softball rules, teaches skills, mental and physical
development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of
sportsmanship and fair play. In
all aspects, Babe Ruth League, Inc. is committed to providing our
participants the very best educational, sports experience possible. It is our fundamental belief that every
child with a desire to play baseball or softball be afforded that
opportunity.
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- Develop a strong, clean, healthy body, mind and soul.
- Develop a strong urge for sportsmanlike conduct.
- Develop understanding of and respect for the RULES.
- Develop courage in defeat, tolerance and modesty in victory.
- Develop control over emotions and speech.
- Develop spirit of cooperation and team play.
- Develop into real, true CITIZENS.
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- There’s a certain amount of “bragging rights” that come along with
being around since 1951…with being a top organized baseball and softball
program for kids as young as four years old…with being the world’s
largest program for teenagers…with being a proven, educational,
non-profit program!
- While we’ve earned the right to brag a little, we’d prefer our pitch to
hit the strike zone fair and square.
So…
- H-e-e-e-r-r-r-e-e-e’s the pitch…
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- Above all else, Babe Ruth Baseball, Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth
Softball are for the kids! In
adopting rules, in establishing standards, and in ALL planning, our
primary consideration is what is best for our participants and keeping
the game fun!
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- The Cal Ripken Baseball Division (4-12 years of age) is comprised of
major, minor, rookie and t-ball divisions.
- The t-ball division, recommended for 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds, teaches the
fundamentals of hitting and fielding, while learning to bat from a tee.
- The rookie league, 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 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, played on
either a 60- or 70-foot diamond, with respective pitching distances of
46 feet and 50 feet, plays by the Official Baseball Rules, but
implements some special rules as necessary for the development and
welfare of this young age group.
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- Beginning with the 2007 season, Babe Ruth League, Inc. will be debuting
another exciting dimension to its program, the Cal Ripken Major League
70’Division.
- There will be NO CHANGE to the current Cal Ripken program. This new division, which has a 50’
pitching distance and 70’ base paths, is being offered as an additional
option to the current league set-up.
- This new division has a tournament trail from district competition
through the World Series. Whether
a league charters a Cal Ripken League or a Cal Ripken Major 70’ program,
their rookie and minor teams will still use the 46’ pitching distance
and 60’ base paths.
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- With today’s advanced baseball and bat technology, there is a common
perception that today’s players are stronger and developing at a faster
rate than ten to twenty years ago.
For this reason, coupled with the new age determination date of
April 30th making players up to three months older, the 70’
program provides a great option.
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- The foundation of the Babe Ruth program is the 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
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.
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- The 16-18 baseball division is designed to provide organized regulation
baseball competition for 16-, 17- and 18-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 of Babe Ruth League, Inc.
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- The Babe Ruth Softball Program is designed for girls ages 4 through 18
and provides a great deal of flexibility. Babe Ruth League, Inc. believes that a
league must be able to structure itself according to the needs of the
community. The official age
divisions for softball include 12U (with an optional 10U level), 16U
(with an optional 14U level) and 18U.
The Softball 12U division offers the major, minor, rookie and
t-ball divisions as described under the Cal Ripken Division.
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- 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 that
encompasses only challenged players ages 5-20 who are either physically
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 5-20 and sometimes older.
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- In order to keep the game fun, Babe Ruth League, Inc. has adopted the
following two options:
- 12-Year-Old Swing Player Option – The Cal Ripken League President may
elect to permit a 12-year-old player to play in a Cal Ripken and/or
13-15 league.
- 15-Year-Old Swing Player Option – The 13-15 League President may elect
to permit a 15-year-old player to play in a 13-15 and/or 16-18 leagues.
- For the tournament season, the Cal Ripken League President and the
13-15 League President will
decide on which tournament team the 12-year-old player and 15-year-old
player (respectively) participates.
- A player can only participate on one tournament team in any given year
and must meet all eligibility requirements for the respective division
in which he participates.
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- Babe Ruth League, Inc. has secured a team accident insurance program
which is administered by K&K Insurance and placed with an A rated
carrier to assure member teams are adequately protected for
accidents. Basically, the plan
provides all the teams in your league with an affordable and
comprehensive coverage at a reasonable cost.
- The accident policy provides primary coverage for all league personnel,
managers, coaches, umpires, Board Members, etc.
- Coverage is effective the day after the premium is mailed to Babe Ruth
League, Inc.
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- Accident insurance can be “bound to be effective” without premium for a
short period by calling Babe Ruth Headquarters.
- Allows you to play teams other than Babe Ruth teams.
- Coverage for participating in non-Babe Ruth tournaments provided if it
is sanctioned by the local Babe Ruth League, Inc.
- Provides coverage for injuries up to one full year from the date of the
injury.
- Provides dental coverage to natural teeth.
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- After a deductible of $100, reimburses all covered expenses up to
$250,000.
- Provides up to $10,000 for accidental death or dismemberment.
- Policy period is February 1st to February 1st
(provided coverage is obtained by February 1st).
- Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules and Regulations require all member leagues
to carry a group accident insurance policy.
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- Babe Ruth League, Inc. has secured a league liability insurance plan,
administered by K&K Insurance Group and placed with an A rated
carrier.
- This plan provides a choice of either a $1 Million or $2 Million plan.
- The coverage is effective the day after the premium is mailed to Babe
Ruth Headquarters.
- This plan has no deductible.
- Provides participant legal liability.
- Participant vs. participant claims are not excluded.
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- Provides legal protection for all league personnel while they are
acting within the scope of their duties.
- Written on an “occurrence” form as opposed to a “claims made” form.
- Limits of coverage chosen ($1 or $2 million) are provided for each
incident (has no general aggregate).
- Covers hosting of Babe Ruth tournaments.
- Provides $1 Million of hired and non-owned automobile insurance
coverage (in excess of personal automobile insurance).
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- Covers additional insures at no additional cost.
- Policy period is February 1st to February 1st
(provided coverage is obtained by February 1st).
- Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules and Regulations require all member leagues
to carry a liability insurance policy.
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- The Directors and Officers insurance plan, administered by K&K
Insurance and placed with an A rated carrier, is available only to those
leagues which have purchased both the accident and liability insurance
plans.
- Coverage is provided for Boards of Directors rather than individual
chartered leagues.
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- Coverage is provided for “Wrongful Acts” or “Errors and Omissions” that
result in law suits as a result (some examples):
- Discrimination (age, race, sex, handicap)
- Wrongful dismissal, rejection or suspension of league
personnel or players.
- Acts beyond authority granted in bylaws.
- Failure to enforce rules or bylaws.
- Violation of State and Federal Laws (Anti-Trust, IRS, EEOC)
- Suppression of First Amendment Rights (speech, expression).
- Failure to properly manage league financial affairs.
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- $1,000,000 aggregate.
- Deductible of only $500 per claim.
- NOTE: Directors & Officers
insurance is optional coverage.
It is available only to those leagues which have purchased the Babe
Ruth group accident and commercial general liability insurance plans.
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- The insurance coverage offered through Babe Ruth League, Inc. for the
chartered leagues is superior in that it is all-inclusive and allows for
more freedom of activities while covering everyone involved with the
league, not just the teams. Above
all, the cost is extremely reasonable!
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- A special highlight for the more advanced players is an exciting and
challenging post-season tournament trail for all age divisions.
- The tournament trail 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.
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- Babe Ruth League, Inc. currently offers ten World Series:
- Cal Ripken 10-Year-Old
- Cal Ripken Major 60’
- Cal Ripken Major 70’
- 13-Year-Old
- 14-Year-Old
- 13-15
- 16-Year-Old
- 16-18
- Softball 12U
- Softball 16U
- The Softball 14U teams compete in an annual national invitational
tournament.
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- There is NO participation fee to play in official Babe Ruth tournament
trail tournaments. We count on
our local leagues to play host to all levels of tournament play,
including the World Series.
- By hosting a tournament, the local league benefits in numerous
ways: by bringing in revenue, by
uniting their community and by joining the tournament as “host team”.
- When post-season tournament play requires overnight accommodations, our
highly-successful Host Family Program welcomes the teams, while
providing a unique cultural and social exchange.
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- Many leagues take the opportunity to offer the players in their league
a “fall” program. Fall programs
may begin immediately following the regular season or some may begin in
the autumn.
- BRL, Inc. will allow a 13-15 baseball league or a 16U softball league
to include new players or graduating 12-year-olds that will be new to
the 13-15 division or 16U division for the season, provided they reside
within the established geographical boundaries of the league. The 16-18 baseball division and the
18U softball division would follow suit.
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- Fall ball is a great time to introduce players to trying new field
positions. It also offers an
opportunity for more skills training and, in general, provides a fun
atmosphere for the players to participate.
- As for insurance, if the league has the coverage offered through Babe
Ruth League, Inc., there is no additional charge as long as the number
of teams participating in the fall or post-season program is not greater
than the number which participated in the regular season.
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- If a league decides they are interested in a fall program, they need to
put their request in writing to Babe Ruth League Headquarters providing
the details of the planned activities that will take place in the fall
program.
- Upon review, they will be sent a letter advising them if their program
is approved.
- If approved, they will be asked to submit a new set of Official Babe
Ruth team rosters making a notation they are for the “FALL PROGRAM”.
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- In 1982, Babe Ruth League, Inc. inaugurated the National Umpires
Associations for baseball and softball to assist its local leagues in
educating the men and women on the rules and mechanics of the game to
improve the quality of umpiring in their games. It was and is the intent of Babe Ruth
League, Inc. to improve the quality of umpiring in youth leagues through
innovative teaching and educational programs, as well as through
superior educational resources.
- We strongly recommend that each league’s umpires join the Babe Ruth
National Umpire Association.
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- By having your umpires join the Babe Ruth National Umpires Association,
your league can be assured they will have a thorough knowledge of the
rules and how to apply them on the field.
- Babe Ruth Headquarters continually educates all NUA members through
instructional clinics, videos and our periodic newsletter – UMPIREGRAM –
which contains well-informed articles and offers great tips and advice
for the amateur umpire.
- Babe Ruth League, Inc. is proud to provide a national organization and
network where individual umpires and local associations can promote
professionalism, integrity and a love of the game.
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- It is always our goal to help our leagues offer well-structured youth
baseball and softball programs offering numerous benefits to their
participants. We realize that
leagues need to find ways on a yearly basis to generate funds to
administer a successful youth program in their local community.
- As an affiliated member of BRL, Inc., you will be able to select from
several, successful fund raising campaigns that not only help your
league raise those necessary dollars, but also offer fun activities for
your participants.
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- Babe Ruth League, Inc. is proud to partner with the American Sport
Education Program (ASEP) to provide online training and certification
for the organization’s baseball and softball coaches.
- Today, more than ever, children need positive role models and a
wholesome outlet such as organized sports for the betterment of their
physical and social well being.
Today, more than ever, coaches need to go beyond teaching the
rules of the game.
- The American Sport Education Program is the leading provider of youth
sport education programs in the United States. It is a division of Human Kinetics and
is one of the premier coaching education programs in the market today.
- This course is totally self-instructional; self-paced and offered
online for convenience. The cost
is minimal and the certification is good for three years.
- It is Babe Ruth League’s goal to have all of its coaches become the coach
that makes a difference in a youngster’s life and become the best role
model they can be! Visit www.BabeRuthCoaching.org
today!
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- Babe Ruth League, Inc. realizes that coaching is a difficult job. It’s a volunteer activity that
requires a lot of time, effort and knowledge.
- In order to keep the game fun, participants need to learn the basic
fundamentals of the game. Babe
Ruth League, Inc. is proud to offer its coaches some of the best
training tools on the market today.
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- “Baseball The Ripken Way” DVD Series is unlike any instructional videos
currently on the market. This set
includes three DVD’s showing the fundamentals of defense, hitting and
pitching. Each DVD offers 60
minutes of instruction geared toward player age groups.
- “The Ripken Way” CD-ROM is the first instructional CD-ROM offered by
Cal Ripken, Jr. in conjunction with his brother Bill. This excellent tool is like having a
coach’s encyclopedia at your fingertips.
- Margie Wright Softball Coaches’ Series Video Collection is an excellent
video collection which offers pitching fundamentals, defensive practice
organization and hitting strategies, mechanics and techniques. Margie Wright is the winningest coach
in NCAA Division 1 history and her videos are the perfect aid for
softball coaches everywhere.
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- Babe Ruth League, Inc. is happy to provide excellent customer
service. The youth of our program
are our highest priority.
Therefore providing exceptional service to our leagues is of
paramount importance. This is the
reason we established toll-free numbers for any league officer or
commissioner to contact Headquarters.
It is also the reason why we at “home plate” believe our Service
Representatives are second to none.
- Our Service Representatives are more than just a voice on the
phone. They are very
knowledgeable about the program and each has a strong desire to help
you.
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- The Babe Ruth Network is an online league management tool to help our
leagues communicate with their players, fans and staff. Designed specifically with Babe Ruth
Leagues in mind, this expansive communication tool enables the leagues
to register players online, display printable game schedules, save
printable rosters to your computer, list league events, list news,
notices and announcements, showcase league sponsors and even features
“photo albums”.
- The newest addition to the Babe Ruth Network is the Online Roster Tool,
which gives leagues the ability to easily add players’ data, assign
players to teams and print or digitally submit to Babe Ruth
Headquarters.
- No programming knowledge is required as the Babe Ruth Network offers
design flexibility and easy to use administration tools.
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- Babe Ruth League, Inc. recognizes that the youth are the future of our
nation and recognize the significance of ensuring our next generation’s
continuing scholastic needs as well as the rising cots associated with
education.
- It is for those reasons that we established the Babe Ruth League
College Scholarship Program for players who participated in the Babe
Ruth Baseball and Softball Divisions.
- Funds for the scholarship are generated from our Annual Golf Outing
along with donations from our good friends at K&K Insurance Group,
Rawlings and MBNA America.
- To be eligible for the scholarship program, you can download and print
the application from our website.
Fill out the application and mail to:
- Babe Ruth Headquarters
- 1770 Brunswick Pike
- Trenton, New Jersey 08638
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- In 2002, Babe Ruth League, Inc. assumed ownership of the former Don
Edwards Park in Newark, Ohio, a 30-acre complex. After many renovations being made to
an already beautiful facility (through the generosity of The Baseball
Tomorrow Fund, several of the program’s corporate sponsors and many
businesses and organizations in Licking County, Ohio), the Babe Ruth
Complex has become the Babe Ruth League, Inc. “Field of Dreams”.
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- “Happenings” at The Babe Ruth Complex:
- Training facility
- Baseball and softball camps and clinics
- BRL District, State and Regional Tournaments
- Use by local league and outside groups, such as local high schools
- Invitational and Showcase tournaments
- Permanent home of Babe Ruth League 16-18 World Series
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- We tell it like it is! From our
FREE quarterly newspaper, BULLPEN, to our internet sites, www.baberuthleague.org,
to our weekly “Message from the President”, we strive to keep you
informed.
- The BULLPEN is the official publication of Babe Ruth League, Inc.. And
is published quarterly – January, March, June and September. Established
in 1958, the BULLPEN is mailed from Trenton, New Jersey to news media,
park and recreation administrators, Babe Ruth team sponsors, managers
and coaches, league officials, umpires, professional baseball management
and high school and college athletic directors and coaches. Additional distribution is conducted
at various Babe Ruth clinics, Regional, State and District Meetings,
sports equipment trade shows and athletic functions. It has a controlled
international circulation of +38,000 and is also available online.
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- Our right to vote is a huge benefit that comes with living in a
democratic society. It is a right
that was purchased with much difficulty and the bloodshed of our
forefathers. It is not a matter
to be taken lightly.
- Babe Ruth League, Inc. is proud of its many policies in effect for the
betterment of the program. We
value the vote of our membership and base our future actions on a group
consensus. This is the reason we
continually survey our membership to seek their advice and guidance on
all future activities.
- Teamwork has led us to the success we enjoy today, and teamwork will
help us achieve our dreams and goals for tomorrow.
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- There’s a place for EVERYONE!
Babe Ruth League, Inc. promotes participation in the games of
baseball and softball regardless of physical ability, gender, race,
religion, national origin, or
creed. BRL, Inc. high
encourages and promotes participation by minority groups. For many years, we have been a strong
advocate of inner-city baseball and softball programs.
- We let YOU make the call! Our
local leagues operate with the spirit of democracy and with much
autonomy. The Babe Ruth Rules and
Regulations place no undue restrictions on affiliates.
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- More focus is placed on the local league season. Participation allows a child to grow
and excel at their own pace and ability while learning individual
skills, sportsmanship and teamwork.
- We aim to recapture the good old-fashioned values and traditions of the
past – promoting excellence in academics, athletics and the arts;
nurturing character development; fostering an understanding and an
appreciation for others; offering a wholesome outlet for children to
engage in group activities; guiding children to take responsibility for
their actions; and fostering a sense for family and community.
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- Honesty, respect, caring and commitment are stressed to our children.
- Believing that childhood is a crucial time of our lives that molds the
kind of adult we will become is what sets BRL head and shoulders above
the rest.
- Using youth baseball and softball as an avenue to teach how to play well
the game of life is detailed utmost in our policies.
- We promote youth baseball and softball as venues to foster fair play and
honest competition instead of a win-at-all-costs attitude.
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- Last, but certainly not least, WE PLAY BY THE RULES and strongly
emphasize respect for the rules by ALL participants.
- Our motto is “When you’re part of Babe Ruth, you’re family!”
- Get to know your neighbors and get involved with your community. Hit a Grand Slam with the Babe Ruth
League Total Package.
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Notes
