2010 Babe Ruth season draws near
SANDPOINT — It’s that time of year once again for families to begin thinking about the upcoming baseball season. Panhandle Babe Ruth has a couple of new faces on the board this year in Jeff Rands and Michael Locascio, with Mike Givens, John Nishimoto and Brad Puryear returning.
The league was very pleased with the results from last year’s tryout and practice schedule and would like to repeat that format. One change made this year is retaining the teams from last year and drafting the 13 year-olds to balance the teams out. Depending on 14 and 15 year-old player distribution and coaches, the league may need to move a few players around, but the intent is to keep the 14 and 15 year-olds on the same teams as last year as much as possible.
Tryouts will be the first step in the league’s team selection process. These try outs will aid our coaches in determining basic strengths and skill levels, however, experience has shown that this is an abbreviated format that does not provide the coaches with enough information to draft and build balanced, competitive teams. In order for the coaches to draft balanced teams, we are going to hold three or four combined practice sessions starting on Monday, April 26.
All head and assistant coaches, as well as any parents who would like to participate, will run the players through multiple drills and skill assessment stations. At the end of these combined practices the coaches will hold a draft of 13 year-olds to build their teams.
Babe Ruth is a 100 percent volunteer-driven organization. Parental involvement is critical to having a successful season, and as such, the league needs and welcomes any and all who would like to be involved to make a commitment in coaching, umpiring, score keeping or running the concession stand.
The board would like to thank the following companies and individuals for stepping up and sponsoring teams this year: Anderson Auto Body, Center field Sports, Les Schwab Tire and Coldwater Creek — Georgia Shonk-Simmons, Mike Feurer and Bill Mullen.
Mission Statement: The Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball program, using regulation competitive baseball and softball rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. In all aspects, Babe Ruth League, Inc. is committed to providing our participants the very best educational, sports experience possible. It is our fundamental belief that every child with a desire to play baseball or softball be afforded that opportunity.
To download a registration form, or for more information, visit www.panhandlebaberuth.com.
Important dates:
• Parent and coaches meeting — Tuesday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. in room E-5 at Sandpoint High School.
• Player clinics — There will be a player clinic on Sunday, April 18 at Sandpoint High School, from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Coaches clinic — There will be a coaching clinic on Sunday, April 18 at Sandpoint High School, from 1-3 p.m.
• Registration deadline — The deadline to register is Saturday, April 24: Forms will be mailed to all eligible players who played last year. There will also be forms available at the SHS, SMS and the Charter School, and at our sponsors. Registration forms and payment will also be available at tryouts.
• Tryouts — Saturday, April 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at Pine Street Field (or Sandpoint High School gym depending on weather and field conditions).
• All-player workouts — Monday, April 26, and Wednesday, April 28 at the Pine Street Baseball field at 6 p.m.
• Team Practice begins the week of May 3.
• First games are on Saturday, May 22.
• Last games are on Wednesday, June 30.
• Panhandle Babe Ruth Championship Tournament will be held Thursday, July 1 through Sunday, July 4.
• Important rule change for bats this year: This regulation limits the diameter of the bat barrel to 2 5/8 inches.