With Twin Cities Babe Ruth facing the possibility of not having a 2024 season as the league’s board positions were still vacant in December, the two remaining board members, Tony Baker and Helvy Mavarez, held a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 4.
It was attended by nine interested parents and community members, and the conversation centered around using 2024 as a “rebuild” season while focusing on preparing for the 2025 season.
Several of those in attendance mentioned they knew of others interested in getting involved who were unable to attend Thursday’s meeting, which was held at the Fred Hess Kitchen in Chehalis.
During public comment at the Dec. 11 Chehalis City Council meeting, Baker explained Twin Cities Babe Ruth is vital to providing playing opportunities for children ages 12 to 16 from low-income families.
The board positions that needed to be filled included the president, vice president, treasurer, player agent and equipment manager.
Mavarez also announced at the meeting the league will change from Twin Cities Babe Ruth to Lewis County Babe Ruth due to the league’s boundaries being expanded.
He anticipated this year’s season to begin by June as local baseball fields are typically closed until April due to rain and seasonal flooding.
The league will only feature two teams this season, though if more kids sign up, more teams will be added. Mavarez said the goal is to get the league back up to a full eight teams by 2025.
Even with only two teams, participating children will still be afforded the opportunity to practice and hone their baseball skills.
To get the league back up to eight teams by next year, though, they will need to secure sponsors, create a website where those interested can register, organize fundraising events and find volunteers to coach and run concession stands at games, Mavarez explained.
“Half the time, parents just drop the kids off at practices and games and they just leave,” Baker added.
Baker suggested offering parents who volunteer at concession stands discounts, while another attendee suggested reaching out to local high schools for students who need community service volunteer opportunities.
“This is open to everybody in the community,” Mavarez said. “We don’t mind if parents just want to show up and get involved.”
One volunteer is already working on website design and anticipated having a basic website where kids could register for the league by the end of last week.
Those who missed the meeting but are still interested in volunteering for the league, as well as those interested in becoming a sponsor, can contact Twin Cities Babe Ruth on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/twincitiesbaberuth or Baker at arbaker41@yahoo.com for more information.
Mavarez anticipated holding another meeting in two weeks to finalize all of the board positions and begin preparations for the 2024 season.
