HEADQUARTERS HINTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SEASON ...

VOLUNTEERS KEY TO BABE RUTH SUCCESS – I want to begin this message by wishing every volunteer in Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball my sincere, best wishes for an enjoyable and successful 2006 season. The bottom line to a successful season is making sure every participant has fun playing the great games of baseball or softball. It is important that your league make sure every player participates in the game.

A FEW WISE WORDS FOR LEAGUE PRESIDENTS – Use your District Commissioner when you have a problem within your league. They have been well educated to understand the interpretations of all our Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball Rules and Regulations. If for some reason your District Commissioner is unavailable, contact your State Commissioner. If you State Commissioner is unavailable, by all means, do not hesitate to contact your Regional Commissioner. Of course, you can certainly use your respective toll-free number to contact your Service Representative at Babe Ruth Headquarters and speak with one of the Commissioners.

Keep in mind there is no one in Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball more important than the local league officers, managers, coaches and above all the players. If for some reason you do not receive the proper results, you may always feel free to appeal any decision to myself as President/CEO of Babe Ruth League, Inc.

EMBLEMS SHOW PRIDE – As you know, the wearing of the shoulder emblem is mandatory for both local league and tournament competition. Babe Ruth League, Inc. adopted this mandatory regulation because we feel strongly that every child who plays in the Babe Ruth League program (Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball and Babe Ruth Softball) program deserves the right to wear the official emblem. They deserve the right to show their pride for participating in a national youth program. Every child deserves this honor, not just those players who make a tournament team.

It means a lot to the Babe Ruth player when a family member, friend or neighbor notices the official Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball or Babe Ruth Softball shoulder emblem. Such an acknowledgement reassures our players’ sense of accomplishment and pride.

Speaking of emblems, make sure your league shows its colors by providing your teams with the Stars and Stripes to wear on their uniforms. The American flag is a symbol of the freedom we Americans enjoy and the symbol of the allegiance we have to our country. It is important we teach our players the importance of showing pride for their country and patriotism in the values many Americans have fought for and transformed over the course of history. American flag emblems are available through Babe Ruth League, Inc. Also available are pins that are designed incorporating Old Glory and the Babe Ruth League Logo. For more information or to place an order, just use your respective toll-free number to reach your Headquarters Service Representative.

Make sure your players receive the honor of wearing the official shoulder emblem and the flag emblem.

I.D. CARDS SAVE TIME – How many times have local League Presidents or Secretaries been faced with the problem of registration and found that several youngsters have no proper proof of identification, or parents will not allow valuable birth documents to be retained by local officials. These headaches can be eliminated when leagues take advantage of the Babe Ruth League, Inc. “Player I.D. Card.” The I.D. Cards are simple, convenient and time saving in the registration process. The ID Card is simple, convenient and timesaving – type or print the information on the player ID cards, have the League President sign them, forward the cards to Babe Ruth Headquarters, along with $1.25 for each card and let us do the rest. (The cards will be processed and laminated, then returned.) Remember, only the cards laminated by Babe Ruth Headquarters are considered valid. The completed and validated cards are then given to the players who keep them for the remainder of his/her Babe Ruth career. Babe Ruth league, Inc., keeps a record of all cards issued.

At future registrations, the card is presented rather than the valuable birth document and no further checking is required.

Saved time now! Join the many leagues who have simplified their registrations process by using the I.D. Cards. If you need additional cards or need the cards prior to receiving your President’s and Secretary’s kits, contact your Service Representative at Headquarters.

COACHES AND PLAYERS – Baseball and softball are great games backed by a rich history. Respect the games and their traditions by doing your best at every opportunity to play. Play the game with energy and a positive attitude to do your best at all times.

EVERYONE NEEDS A CHANCE – We realize that sometimes fields, finances and volunteer help can be a problem for leagues. However, when holding your tryouts or scheduling your games, please make a concerted effort not to cause any undue disappointment to the youngsters and give each one the opportunity to participate and have fun. Remember, no one can determine a young player’s capabilities and how quickly that player will improve unless they are assigned to a team and given the chance to play.