A POSITIVE TOURNAMENT EXPERIENCE

Believe it or not tournament time is fast approaching as leagues are selecting their tournament teams. The most important thing to remember for a Babe Ruth tournament manager or coach to keep in mind is that every player selected to the tournament team must have a positive experience and fun experience.

Babe Ruth Headquarters highly recommends that each tournament manager selects a full roster of players. It is a poor excuse when a league does not select a full roster of players for the tournament season because they find it too hard to use all the players in the game. Babe Ruth League, Inc. does not have a “must play” rule in tournament competition so why not take a full rosters of players and let those players experience being on an all-star team. If a manager properly uses the re-entry rule, he/she will have no problem allowing as many members of his/her team to participant in each tournament game.

No team can have enough pitchers. If you select players for eight positions, a utility player, a back-up catcher, a player who may not be a good fielder but can hit the baseball or softball, you can use at least four more pitchers to complete a 15-player roster. Your tournament team will attain depth and have a greater chance for success, and three more players will enjoy the post-season experience.

The foundation of Babe Ruth League, Inc.’s success is our rules and regulations. When a league charters with Cal Ripken or Babe Ruth Baseball, or Babe Ruth Softball, it receives geographical boundaries from which to select its players. These boundaries are approved by the State Commissioner, in conjunction with the league’s District Commissioner. Appropriate written descriptions or maps of boundary limitations must be filed with the State Commissioner and submitted to Babe Ruth League, Inc. for final approval.

A player must play in the league within whose geographical boundaries the player resides. This is determined according to the legal residence of the player’s parents or legal guardian. Waivers allowing a player to play outside of his/her geographical boundaries are not permitted in Babe Ruth League, Inc.

Remember tournament games can be competitive. But if you keep it fun for all players, a happy and memorable time will be enjoyed by all.