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.