It was sad to read that the Hazel Dell Metro Babe Ruth baseball program is folding after years of service to our youth (“Hazel Dell Metro youth baseball folds,” Jan. 4). The story was written as if one team was folding when, in fact, an entire league is going out of existence.
I was involved in HDM Babe Ruth for five years in the 1980s and the league usually had four 13-year-old teams, eight 14- to 15-year-old teams, and one 16- to 18-year-old team. These 13 teams would involve 175 to 200 kids, 26-30 coaches and managers, board members and a host of volunteers working in concessions and as umpires.
It was designed to be a fun and good experience for all who played, not just for the best, and it was affordable. The fact that 18 of the HDM Babe Ruth All Star teams made it to the Babe Ruth World Series playoffs since 1982 at various age groups is testimony to the quality of the program.
Hats off to the parents, coaches and volunteers, like Jack Laub, who made this program work so long.
The advent of today’s select travel teams may be good for gifted players if parents can afford it, but the concept has eroded youth leagues all over the country, leaving no place for many kids to play. Sad, indeed.
