The Babe Ruth League is a youth baseball program that was started in 1951 by a group of men who met in Trenton, New Jersey and first registered the program as the Little Bigger League. In 1954 Claire Ruth the widow of Babe Ruth gave permission to the group to rename the organization the Babe Ruth League. Upon giving her blessing to the name change Claire Ruth had stated, “Babe Ruth was a man who love children and baseball; he could receive no greater tribute than to have a baseball program named after him.”
Today, the Babe Ruth League is ranked as one of the worlds premier youth baseball and softball programs. This success has been brought about thanks to the millions of volunteer hours that are spent each year, from the local team coaches and other team volunteers to the 17-member International Board. Through this volunteerism the Babe Ruth League has produced outstanding youth players.
The Willamette Valley Babe Ruth League was formed in 1990 and it is independent within the guidelines provided by the Babe Ruth League International Board. Babe Ruth league baseball and the Cal Ripken baseball league provides competitive kids baseball to children ages 5 to 15 in Lane County, Oregon.
The Willamette Valley Babe Ruth League has the fundamental belief that every child that wants to play baseball and who resides within the WVBR designated area should have the opportunity to play. Teams are organized according to the boundaries of local area high schools. Churchill, Elmira, Junction City (including Harrisburg and Monroe), North Eugene, Pleasant Hill (Including Cottage Grove, Creswell, Lowell, Oakridge), Sheldon, South Eugene, Springfield, Thurston and Willamette.
Presently there are two WVBR divisions, Cal Ripken for players up to the age of twelve and Babe Ruth, for players thirteen and fourteen years of age. A 15-year old who attends middle school may also play though they may not pitch in league or tournament games.
Cal Ripken Division consists of the following teams and age groups: TBall (5 – 9), Rookie Minor (9 and under), Rookie (9 and under), AA (9-12), AAA (11 and under).
Babe Ruth Division consist of the following teams and age groups: Prep 13 (age 13 only), 13/14 (13 and 14) and a 15 year old may play on the 13/14 if still in middle school.
The Pleasant Hill youth baseball program is very active and not only do the players of these kids baseball teams learn how to improve there game, they also learn how to work as a team, sportsmanship, the rules of the game, and the importance of maintaining there school work and grades.
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If you would like to volunteer to assist with a team, or make a donation to Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth Baseball, please use the contact form.
