With local youth baseball leagues gearing up for the spring season, one local coach for Twin Cities Babe Ruth, Tony Baker, told the Chehalis City Council the league’s season is in jeopardy if volunteers don’t step up to fill empty board positions by Dec. 15.
Baker spoke to the councilors during public comment at the Chehalis City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 11.
“If we don’t get this out to the community, our youth, ages 12 to 16, will not have this extra sports outlet to be involved with,” Baker said. “Many families cannot afford select or travel team. Those costs are $900 to $2,000 a player … Babe Ruth was that more affordable outlet to keep the youth involved and get them prepared for high school- and collegiate-level playing.”
Originally from San Diego and a resident of Chehalis for seven years, Baker also owns and runs Baker All Phase Construction and Remodel aside from his coaching and league board duties.
Baker, along with one of the league’s umpires, have stepped up to fill some of the board positions recently left empty, including board president after the previous president resigned due to health-related issues.
There are still other positions volunteers need to fill, Baker said.
“We can’t do it, just two people,” Baker added.
If the Dec. 15 deadline isn’t met, Baker said he doesn’t want to give up on the season. But logistically, they wouldn’t be able to make it work without a full board, he said.
Should Twin Cities Babe Ruth end up dissolving, children in families who can’t afford the more expensive leagues and travel costs associated with them won’t have a league to play in anymore, he said.
Aside from a president, the Twin Cities Babe Ruth board is also in need of a vice president, a treasurer, a player agent and an equipment manager, Baker said.
Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum stated the city could help out by posting a notice on its website, and suggested Baker reach out to Experience Chehalis and other local entities, including The Chronicle.
“This is a baseball town,” Chehalis City Councilor Kevin Carns said, stating his father was once the Twin Cities Babe Ruth board president.
“They’re putting a lot of resources into that new high school field, and getting those kids involved is super important at that age,” he added.
Those interested in volunteering to serve on the Twin Cities Babe Ruth board can contact Baker by calling him at 619-655-6658 or emailing him at arbaker41@yahoo.com.
Those interested can also message Baker and get more information on the Twin Cities Babe Ruth Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/twincitiesbaberuth.
