This page last modified: Saturday, August 09, 2008 at 07:00 PM

This bulletin board is designed to allow leagues across Kansas to communicate with each other to arrange games, announce tournaments and related information. If you would like to post something on the “Bulletin Board”, please contact Bob Willis.

One of the most frequently asked questions for the 2006 season is, “Can 19 year-olds play this season?” The answer is, if they were born on or after May 1, 1987, they are eligible to participate. Due to the age cut-off date, most 19 year-olds are eligible. The following is more information concerning the 2006 rules from Steve Tellefsen, CEO Babe Ruth Leagues, inc.

RULE REMINDERS FOR 2006

Rules serve a vital purpose in all of our lives. The purpose of rules is to create a structure which is supportive of freedom – freedom to learn, freedom to play and freedom to grow

One of the primary reasons for the success of Babe Ruth League, Inc. is our rules and regulations. The rules and regulations were established through democratic procedures, with the guidance of our leagues, the International Board of Directors of Babe Ruth League, Inc., professional recreation directors, high school athletic authorities and college coaches.

Listed below is an explanation of the rules which are in effect beginning with the 2006 season:

· April 30th Age Determination Date for Baseball – Effective with the 2006 season, the age determination date for all Babe Ruth baseball divisions, including the Cal Ripken division, has been changed to April 30th. This rule change was researched and studied for several years by USA Baseball and its affiliated members. Such research showed that our sport would benefit from this change by keeping more players in programs longer; players being better prepared for the transition to conventional-sized fields; and there being no diminished eligibility for players. (The age determination date for Babe Ruth Softball will remain at January 1.) All baseball players’ ages are determined by the birth chart available on our website. May 1 in any given year shall be the deciding date.

· Cal Ripken – Any player born prior to May 1, 2002 and on or after May 1, 1993 will be eligible for Cal Ripken Baseball League competition – Season of 2006.

· 13-15 - Any player born prior to May 1, 1993 and on or after May 1, 1990 will be eligible for 13-15 League competition – Season of 2006.

· 16-18 - Any player born prior to May 1, 1990 and on or after May 1, 1987 will be eligible for 16-18 League competition – Season of 2006.

· 12-Year-Old Swing Player Option – As a result of the April 30th age determination date, Babe Ruth League, Inc. adopted a new local league option, the 12-Year-Old Swing Player Option for those 12-year-old players who are more skilled and experienced. The Cal Ripken League President may elect to permit a 12-year-old player to play in a Cal Ripken and/or 13-15 league. For the tournament season, the Cal Ripken League President will decide on which tournament team the 12-year-old player participates. The player must meet all Babe Ruth League, Inc. eligibility requirements for the respective division in which he participates. A player can only participate on one tournament team in any given year.

· 4-Year-Olds – This rule change was implemented due to the age determination date change. This allows “league age” 4-year-olds to participate at the T-Ball level of the Cal Ripken Baseball Division effective with the 2006 season.

· 19-Year-Old Players Rescinded – “League age” 19-year-old players are no longer permitted to participate in the 16-18 division. Under the new age determination date, if a player turns 19 after April 30, the player is considered to be “league age” 18 and eligible to participate in the 16-18 division. This is effective with the 2006 season. If we had continued to accept “league age” 19-year-olds under the new age determination date, it would have allowed for 20-year-old players to participate.

The rule listed below is certainly not a new rule, but one of the most significant rules in Babe Ruth League, Inc. Its meaning and intent are of paramount importance and it follows suit with the mission of Babe Ruth League, Inc., which is to provide every child with a desire to play baseball or softball an opportunity to do so.

· Babe Ruth Rule 0.01, Paragraph 5 – Geographical Boundaries – State Commissioners shall approve geographical boundaries established by each league in conjunction with the District Commissioner in whose district that league exists and operations. Appropriate written descriptions, maps or specifications of boundary limitations must be certified and filed with the State Commissioner and submitted to Babe Ruth League, Inc. for final approval. A player must play within the league’s geographical boundaries in which the player resides. This is determined according to the legal residence of the player’s parents or legal guardian. WAIVERS PERMITTING A PLAYER TO PLAY OUTSIDE OF HIS/HER GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES ARE NOT PERMITTED IN BABE RUTH LEAGUE. The only exception would be if a player rostered on a SB 12U, SB 16U, SB 18U, Cal Ripken, 13-15 baseball or 16-18 baseball team moved outside of that league’s geographical boundaries. In this case, the player may finish his/her playing career in the respective division of that league.

League geographical boundaries shall be subject to review and adjustment by the State or Regional Commissioner and Babe Ruth League, Inc. whenever it is deemed advisable. Geographical boundaries are established to eliminate competition of an undesirable nature but shall not be established to prevent healthy expansion of teams and leagues within any given area.

Even if a town or city next to or near your league is NOT involved with Babe Ruth League, or does not offer a baseball or softball program to the youth in their community, players from that area are still NOT ELIGIBLE to participate in your local league, unless your league boundaries are formally changed, signed by the State Commissioner and filed with Babe Ruth League, Inc. as including that town or city. Only the State Commissioner may approve that change and it must be in writing and on file at International Headquarters. Babe Ruth League, Inc. will make final approval of boundaries once received. Note that geographical boundaries will not be adjusted to include only a few select players. Once a boundary is approved to be expanded, ALL players from within the expanded area must be given the opportunity to play for that league.

Remember, Babe Ruth League is not just about learning the game of baseball or softball. It is about learning life lessons. One of the most important life lessons to be gained via participation in Babe Ruth League is to follow and respect the rules and regulations. As adults’ let’s make sure we all observe and be examples of that lesson.

12/10/2007 from Babe Ruth Commissioner Rob Conner concerning softball invitational tournaments:

The following link should forwarded to all state, district and league presidents in your region. The following link is for any league to sign up for any 1 of the 3 NITs in softball. Special notes are that any Babe Ruth League team is welcome to compete as long as they meet tournament eligibly, pay the required fee, and do not bypass a state or regional tournament and continue through our tournament trail until completion. Also, please note that any 16 U that does not make the World Series who would also like to attend the Coaches Showcase (18U NIT) may do so as well.

Thanks!!

Rob

http://www.baberuthcommissioners.com/nit/entry_form.html

Rob Connor

National Commissioner

Babe Ruth League, Inc.

(Office) 609-695-1434

(Cell) 609-915-5919

8/9/08 - HASBA (Haysville Amateur Softball and Baseball Association) offering Fall Ball program.  This league is open to anyone wanting to participate. The purpose is for instruction and fun. Contact Pat Lemmons, 316-871-7663 or info@hasbainc.com for further information, or click here to view flyer about the program.