NOTHING COMPARES TO THE GAME

I looked at my calendar this morning and I couldn’t believe it. It is the first of May! The heart of baseball and softball seasons! Where did the time go?

Playing, coaching, watching, listening and reading about the game has been part of my every day life since I was a young boy. Even in the dead of winter when baseball is on the back pages of the newspaper, I will find out what new development has occurred or who has been signed or traded.

What could be better than being able to share your passion for baseball and softball and being able to play a major role in the development of the games. What could be better than providing our kids with the very best educational, sports experience possible.

You see, that is what Babe Ruth League, Inc. is all about. There are close to 2 million other people involved with the program that share the same passion. A passion for the games of baseball and softball and an enthusiasm to pass on the unique experience of participation and involvement to as many youngsters and adults as possible.

As many of you will agree, the “Babe Ruth 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.

Make sure your community continues to offer its residents the Babe Ruth experience. We at home plate realize that sometimes it seems like there is so much to get accomplished in very little time when administering your league. With a little foresight and planning, those tasks will become easier for you. We must recognize our priorities and realize that everything we do in Babe Ruth League, Inc. is for the participants and for the protection of your league.

As a reminder, has your league…

• Mailed to Headquarters your Continuation of Charter/Franchise? The deadline to charter is May 15th in order to be eligible for tournament competition.
  
  
• Secured the proper accident and liability coverage? In today’s litigious society, you must make sure your insurance is in effect – preferably before sign-ups are held. If money is an issue, call your league Service Representative and ask about “binding an effective date” for your league’s accident insurance. Please be aware that accident insurance can be bound without payment, but liability insurance cannot. Babe Ruth approved insurance plans go into effect the day after you mail it to Headquarters.
  
  
• Mailed to Headquarters, as well as your District and State Commissioners, your league’s team rosters and playing schedule? These forms must be filed with Headquarters and your District and State Commissioners, on or before your league’s first regularly scheduled game.
  
  
• Mailed to Headquarters the additional team form that is located in your league kit if your league has added more teams to your league after you first chartered for the 2006 season. This is very important so additional rule books and scorebooks are sent and the additional team’s players are covered by insurance.
  
  
• Scheduled a minimum of 10 games for each team? When preparing your league schedule, remember that each team must play a minimum of 10 games within their own league or an interlocking league schedule with other Babe Ruth leagues. Any games played against organizations other than those affiliated with Babe Ruth do not apply toward the minimum 10-game requirement for tournament eligibility.
  
  
• Ordered the official shoulder emblems for your players? Remember, all teams participating in Babe Ruth local league and tournament competition are required to wear the official shoulder emblem on their left uniform sleeve. In softball, the official shoulder emblem is to be worn on the left sleeve, or the upper left chest of the jersey. Please remember that under no circumstance does Babe Ruth League, Inc. permit the official Babe Ruth shoulder emblem to be silk-screened onto the uniform. Therefore, silk-screening of the official Babe Ruth Baseball, Cal Ripken Baseball, or Babe Ruth Softball emblems is in serious violation of the Babe Ruth League, Inc. trademarks. The only acceptable Babe Ruth emblem is the official emblem patch. The optional American flag emblem can be worn on the back of the uniform just under the center of the jersey’s neckline as is done in Major League Baseball and NCAA Softball, or on the right sleeve or front of the uniform.
  
  
• Ordered your official Player I.D. Cards? Now is the time to submit your I.D. Cards if you haven’t already done so. If you wait until just before tournament time, the wait will be much longer. I.D. Cards are optional, but the best way to go when delivering your credentials to the tournament director. Once obtained, the same I.D. Card is valid throughout the player’s Babe Ruth career.