Why Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth League, Inc. is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to developing better citizens by providing properly supervised baseball competition for players 5 through 18 years of age. Established in 1951 and incorporated in 1952, there are now over 45,000 teams competing in over 7,300 leagues in the United States and Canada. Unquestionably, one of the primary reasons for the success of this organization is the rules and regulations which have been established through democratic procedures, with the guidance of professional recreation directors, high school athletic authorities and college coaches.

Babe Ruth & Cal Ripken League baseball believes in promoting community based programs where all players, skilled and those that are not as skilled can enjoy the great game of baseball and be taught skills, sportsmanship and how to win and lose. In other words, lessons that will be used for their lifetime, long after baseball ends. We believe in providing the children of our communities with safe, fun alternatives to other non athletic trappings. We are an organization that can provide baseball opportunities for the skilled player with high school and college baseball aspirations AND for the players that just want to have fun.

Babe Ruth Code

The foundation of the organization is Babe Ruth Baseball (13-15) year olds) playing on a regulation baseball diamond. Selection of this grouping on the regulation-size infield was made originally after studies among professional youth authorities indicated favor for this basic concept.
Our totally favorable experience the past 50 seasons, in which thousands of Babe Ruth League teams have played, clearly endorses this decision. The physiological development of 13-15 year old junior high and high school students dictates the use of the regulation diamond under slightly modified regulation baseball rules. Younger players rapidly adjust to the larger diamond with the assurance no further adjustment in throwing, pitching, etc. will ever be needed in progressing to older age teams.
Babe Ruth insurance is "primary" and, we believe, is the most price competitive you can find in any youth sports program... bar none. The coverage is quite comprehensive and covers all participants and all volunteers!! You can't beat the price or the coverage.
In 1966, The Babe Ruth 16-18 Division was launched to provide similar adult-supervised competition and participation for older teenagers wishing to continue in organized baseball. To further encourage participation, beginning with the 1994 season, a 16-Year-Old Prep Division was adopted.
Keeping in mind the interest of the player and his ability to perform, Babe Ruth League, Inc. in 1974 initiated a Prep League just for the 13-Year-Old player.
After much research Babe Ruth League Inc. in 1981 used a 12-Year-Old and under division as a test-pilot program in 11 states covering three regions. Because of its huge success the Board of Directors of Babe Ruth League, Inc. voted to expand nationwide and into Canada starting in 1982, and named it the Bambino Division of Babe Ruth League, Inc. In 1999, the Board of Directors of Babe Ruth League, Inc. changed the name of the Bambino program to Cal Ripken Baseball, A Division of Babe Rut League, Inc. (effective for 2000).
The Cal Ripken Division, as in all divisions of Babe Ruth League, Inc. strives to play under the rules as close to the Official Baseball Rules as possible. However, because of the age of the participants, certain special rules, such as using a 60-foot-square diamond and allowing a maximum number of innings for a pitcher, are necessary within this division.
It is the basic intent of Babe Ruth League, Inc. that every candidate be given the opportunity to play in the program. Each league must advertise registrations, conduct tryouts and draft players. Each team should not be permitted to recruit its own players.
Babe Ruth tries very hard to accommodate the local leagues and to be "all things to all leagues". Babe Ruth has a large and varied number of established programs and tournaments. Many of the players are eligible for more than one "age group" tournament (but may participate in only one World Series "tournament trail") tournament per year. Currently, Babe Ruth Baseball (including Cal Ripken Baseball) has the following age levels of participation:
- 10 and Under (T-Ball, Rookie and Minors; normally 5-10 year olds).
- 12 and Under Cal Ripken
- 70 ft program (new in 2007)
- 60 ft program (standard)
- 13 year old Prep League.
- 14 year old Prep League.
- 13-15 year old League.
- 16 year old Prep League.
- 16-18 year old League.

Babe Ruth Softball has similar age group and tournament categories.

All of these program levels play through District, State, Regional and culminate in a World Series Tournament. There is also an 11 year old Invitational Tournament level which plays up to and including a Regional Tournament (No World Series). The tournament sites vary from year to year as local leagues are given the opportunity to host the various levels of tournament ball depending on the league's experience in hosting and running the various levels of tournament play.
In addition, the local leagues have almost unlimited flexibility in how they structure their program. Come tournament time, for instance, you can find 13 year olds eligible for either the 13, the 14 or the 13-15 year old tournaments. The 14 year olds can play in either the 14 year old tournament or the 13-15 year old tournament.