Arlington Babe Ruth (ABR) Baseball will enter its 30th season in 2015, making it the longest-running youth baseball program in Arlington. “The hallmark of our program is that we let our youngest players join with their friends to play on neighborhood or school teams. The capstone of our program is our 50/70 division which is played on an intermediate size field with MLB rules to make the transition easier for the older kids moving up to the 90′ diamond, ” emphasized league commissioner, Phil Juliano.
ABR offers various levels of play throughout the year, including spring and fall leagues, and summer All-Stars programs and travel teams. An association with Cal Ripken Baseball gives ABR the opportunity to tailor its program to meet the needs of a dynamic community, adding levels of play in different age groups when there is demand. The fellowship with major league baseball promises annual fun days at Nats Park, home of the Washington Nationals baseball team.
“Many kids want to play ball beyond the spring season, so we added an extended summer play season for 8 and 9-year-olds as well as a mix of summer travel teams for 8 to 12-year-olds,” added Juliano. “And donations from our many generous, local sponsors give us the opportunity to make baseball available to all who want to play by providing scholarships, team equipment and coaches’ training. Our Fall Ball program has been growing every year too. We have baseball in October just like the MLB!”
In 2014, ABR added the Cooperstown Dreams Park Team. That team will travel to Cooperstown, New York, the birthplace of baseball, to play a week-long tournament in the summer and live on the Dreams Park campus with teams from all over the United States.
For now, the league is preparing for spring training. But later in the year, it plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a social event for the Arlington community, current and former players, parents, coaches and some special guests.
ABR is accepting registrations now for spring leagues that will begin training on March 14. For more information about Arlington Babe Ruth Baseball, please visit their website at www.arlingtonbaberuth.com.