What is a hero? A hero is someone who has made a difference in someone’s life, whether big or small. A hero is Ronald Tellefsen.

What is a visionary leader? A visionary leader is someone who motivates people to accomplish the higher realms of human potential and possibility. A visionary leader is Ronald Tellefsen.

Words cannot adequately express the deep sorrow we in Babe Ruth League, Inc. feel over the loss of our beloved boss, mentor and friend, RONALD TELLEFSEN. On Saturday, March 5, 2005, Ronald Tellefsen passed away after a courageous battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he always referred to as his "challenge".

Ron Tellefsen began his affiliation with the Babe Ruth program in 1956 as a manager for the Clarkstown, New York Babe Ruth League. In 1969, he began his professional career with Babe Ruth League, Inc. as Development Director, administering the national 16-18 program. Promoted to Field Commissioner in 1971, he assumed responsibility for the entire field operation which at that time was the 13-15 and 16-18 divisions of Babe Ruth Baseball. In 1973, Ron was named Commissioner of Babe Ruth League, Inc. He was promoted to Vice President/Commissioner in 1978, making him a corporate officer. In September of 1980, the International Board of Directors elected Ronald Tellefsen to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. He just celebrated his 25th Board Meeting in December. He held that position until his untimely passing.

Ron Tellefsen was respected for his knowledge of baseball and as a result was a long-time member of the Advisory Board of the Major League Baseball Rules Committee. He was a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association, and the Character Counts Coalition for Youth Sports. Special honors included being named a Kentucky Colonel, presented the Arkansas Traveler Award, and appointed as a Sagamore of the Wabash (Indiana). Ron had been a member of the Delaware Valley Umpires Association. He was inducted into the Rockland County (New York) Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the A.A. Comeaux Youth Hall of Fame (Louisiana) in 2004.

As a result of Ron’s astute leadership, sharp business acumen and firm belief that every business transaction should be fair and beneficial to all parties, the program flourished; and under his leadership, the organization experienced great growth in participants, year after year. His belief that everything Babe Ruth League, Inc. undertook should be done in a first class manner, gave the company integrity and earned the respect of corporate sponsors and our business relationships thrived. Integrity and honesty are adjectives most befitting our President/CEO.

Ron’s love and pride for the Babe Ruth program reigned supreme. Some of his most memorable moments were spent with the Board of Directors, his staff, the volunteers he respected so much, but most importantly, the kids.

Ron had a special gift – he’d guess the playing position of every kid he met, and was almost always correct on his first try. Then he would follow up with the kids’ parents and he’d send them a baseball or softball or other gifts related to the game.

His record for personal integrity and commitment to our nation’s youth was unsurpassed. Ron’s paramount objective was that every child be afforded the opportunity to play baseball or softball and to have fun doing so. He was totally against any league cutting kids from teams. His motto was to let the players decide for themselves if the game was right for them. He often reminded the adults to keep their egos in check as no one knows when a child will reach their full development in youth sports. His enthusiasm for youth and youth activities significantly changed the lives, for the better, of thousands of children worldwide.

Ron’s conviction was that childhood was the time of development that molded the type of adults we would become. He always believed that youth baseball and softball were the perfect avenues to teach the game of life. He instilled that every child deserves to have special memories. Above all else, he made sure the Babe Ruth program was about providing a positive environment so our youth could develop their skills with an optimistic outlook and with respect for the game, each other, the adults involved, and, most importantly, themselves. He wanted to give players the best chance to succeed in life. In one of his newsletters, Ron stated, “We need to coach beyond sports. As advocates of youth sports, our responsibilities need to go beyond the field of play. We are responsible for guiding and molding young athletes into strong adults to become future leaders.”

One thing Ron taught us was to cherish and respect every member of the “Babe Ruth Family”. His heartfelt desire was to make sure everyone knew they were appreciated for their dedication and extra efforts given to the program. Ron’s philosophy portrayed that leadership was not achieved through one individual, but through the collective action of many. He was born to lead and quick to give praise to those around him and to include them in his success.

Ron was willing to travel anywhere and anytime for Babe Ruth League, Inc. He made friends everywhere he went – from a 2-year-old to a 99-year-old – regardless of their walk in life – he treated everyone equally and with respect. Ron was a “people person” and viewed everyone he met as special. He would give of himself and his resources without hesitation. He chose to treat everyone that he came in contact with dignity and with kindness.

Ron was more than a boss. He was a friend and a mentor with an open door policy. He always made himself available to anyone who sought his opinion both in business and on personal matters.

Ron was a hands-on kind of guy. He would often take time to make fresh coffee for the staff. He also went out of his way to make sure there were donuts for the seniors who work part-time at Headquarters. He was a man of a million smiles, and his words reminded everyone of their worth and that they could reach their dreams.

He was an accomplisher of the impossible, but humbly remained in the background. He always amazed us with the many new and innovative ideas he had for the future betterment of the program. He embraced the highest ethical standards. He approached each partner in each relationship with straight forward and ethical negotiations. Ron had that unique sense that in order for a business deal to work it had to be fair for both sides. He celebrated the success of his partners.

The Board members were more than business associates; they were his friends. He truly respected and held each of them in high esteem. Ron took the time to get to know their families and always thanked them for allowing their spouses to give so much time to the program.

Ron would never want anyone to feel sad for him. Serving as President/CEO of Babe Ruth League, Inc. never seemed like a job to him. He loved the thrill of the games, the wonderful people involved with the program, the loyalty of an excellent Board and staff, and, most of all, he loved the kids. His only wish is to see the program continue to flourish.

Ron taught us well. His staff is a team who have bonded together to uphold the ideals and philosophies of our leader. Our Board of Directors will continue to make the best decisions for the program. We all promise to uphold Ron’s legacy as we push towards the future in realizing Ron Tellefsen’s dreams for the program.

To a man we admired and respected, our dear friend Ron, we send our love and thanks. He was a very special person and will be dearly missed.

Ron was also a devoted husband, father and grandfather. As much as he loved them, it is safe to say his seven grandchildren were the apple of his eye. It was difficult to have a conversation with him that some of his grandchildren were not discussed. He would think nothing of getting off a plane and going directly to a gym or field to see one of his grandchildren play.

Our sincere condolences go out to Ron’s wife Loretta, his son Steven, his two daughters, Deborah Small and Eileen Smiegocki, along with their respective spouses and children during this time of sorrow.

Remember, those who live in the hearts of others never die. We hope that our love for Ron and the love each of you has for him will help the Tellefsen family find the courage to face tomorrow in the love that surrounds them today.

To view the June 2005 BULLPEN Special Insert, TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND, which is dedicated to the memory of Ronald Tellefsen, please click here.