FALL BALL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND FUN FOR ALL

Many leagues take the opportunity to offer to the players in their league a "fall" program. Fall programs may begin immediately following the regular season or some may begin in the autumn. Fall programs are considered an extension of the 2005 season.

Babe Ruth League, 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 Babe Ruth 13-15 baseball division or the 16U softball 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.)

In the 13-15 baseball division, inclusion of the 12-year-olds who would be eligible to join Babe Ruth for next year’s season allows the 12-years-olds to be introduced to play on a 90-foot diamond in a non-competitive, non-stressful atmosphere. This opportunity ultimately will result in encouraging more 12-year-olds to sign up in the spring. Experiencing the larger diamond at the close of their Cal Ripken Baseball career is certainly beneficial while they are coming off a successful season as opposed to facing the larger diamond after the long winter off.

Fall ball is a great time to introduce players to trying new fielding positions, etc. It also offers the opportunity for more skills training and, in general, provides a fun atmosphere for the players to participate.

If you and the other leagues in your district are interested in forming a “district-wide” fall ball program, please contact your District Commissioner. Babe Ruth League, Inc. encourages District Commissioners to run a fall program that incorporates all or some of the leagues in their district. This concept has been found to encourage greater fall ball participation as it offers more flexibility and playing time for the players.

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. As a reminder, the group accident and commercial general liability insurance plans offered to the Babe Ruth chartered leagues have policy periods ending February 1, 2006.

If a league decides they are interested in a fall program, they need to put their request in writing to Babe Ruth League, Inc. 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 also be asked to submit a new set of Official Babe Ruth team rosters making a notation at the top indicating they are for the "FALL PROGRAM".

Babe Ruth League, Inc. does not charge an additional charter registration fee for the baseball and softball teams participating in Fall Programs. However, all respective Babe Ruth League, Inc. Baseball and Softball Rules and Regulations apply for fall programs with the exceptions noted above.

For further information or questions, please contact Babe Ruth League, Inc. at 609.695.1434 or contact us toll free by using your league Service Representative’s toll-free number.