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A: Your son can move into the McLean-Great Falls Babe Ruth program for 13 year old players – the Prep Division. (Your girl can continue to play softball in GFLL until age 16.) Q: What is the Babe Ruth program and how does it differ from Little League?
A: Both programs are long standing youth baseball programs. The Babe Ruth program has been in existence for over 50 years. In the McLean-Great Falls area, Little League baseball is available for younger players (12 and under) and Little League softball for girls through age 16. Babe Ruth is available for boys 13-19. Q: In Little League, McLean and Great Falls are separate baseball programs. In Babe Ruth are they combined?
A: Yes. Among other things, this permits Great Falls’ baseball players to become acquainted with other players with whom they will be attending Langley High School a year or two later or playing in one of the local private school conferences. Q: What are some of the differences between Little League and Babe Ruth?
A: The biggest difference is the size of the field. In Little League it is 60 feet between the bases and 46 feet from the pitchers mound to home plate. Babe Ruth plays on regulation baseball fields, the same size used by high schools, colleges and the pros. It is 90 feet between the bases and 60' 6" from the pitchers rubber to home plate. Q: Are there other differences?
A: Yes. In Little League runners cannot leave the base until the pitch crosses the plate. In Babe Ruth they can lead off and steal in the same manner as they do in high schools, colleges and the pros. This means runners must know how to take a lead and pitchers and fielders must learn how to hold runners on base. For the most part, the rules in Babe Ruth are the same as they are for regular baseball. Q: We’re new to the area, and our child is 14 (or older). What exists for him?
A: 14 and 15 year olds in Babe Ruth play in either the "American" or "National" League – placement is based on ability (like Majors and AAA minors in Little League). For players aged 16-19, M/GF operates one or more Senior division teams. These teams play teams from neighboring Babe Ruth programs. Q: I just bought my child a new bat. Will he need a different one for Babe Ruth?
A: Yes. The barrels on Little League bats are no larger than 2 1/4 inches in diameter. At the Babe Ruth level, "big barrel" bats are allowed. The barrels on these bats may be 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches in diameter. McLean-Great Falls Babe Ruth limits the length-to-weight differential to –8.5 for the Prep and National Leagues, and –3 for the American League. When purchasing a new bat, also consider that the barrels on high school baseball bats are limited to 2 5/8 inches in diameter, no more than a –3 length-to-weight differential, and must be certified on the barrel "BESR" (Ball Exit Speed Ratio). Q: Where are games played?
A: The games are played in a number of different locations. They might be played at one of the local high schools (Langley or McLean), at Lewinsville Park, or at Langley Forks. We hope that the Nike 90-foot diamond will be completed and also available for practices and games in 2004. This field will be located right in back of our Little League’s Nike 2 field. Q: How long is the season?
A: Play in the Prep and National League will begin on April 12 and conclude in mid-June with a divisional tournament, just like the Little League schedule. (Practices start in mid March.) The American & Senior Leagues have mainly high school players and therefore begin play in mid May, following the conclusion of the High School regular season, and play until late June. Q: My son was a Little League All-Star and he would like to play against the highest level of competition possible. Is there an all-star program in Babe Ruth?
A: Yes, in most respects the all-star program run by the national Babe Ruth League is the mirror image of Little League’s program. There is a separate series for teams at each age level (13U, 14U, 15U, etc.). Like Little League, competition takes place in July each year at the district, state and regional levels, and culminates in an August World Series for the most successful teams. The McLean-Great Falls Babe Ruth 13U in 2002, and the 14U team in 2003, won Virginia State Championships and played other State champions in the Southeast Regional tournament, one step away from the 13U World Series. The 13U team in 2003 finished number 2 in the State. Q: How will all-star teams be determined?
A: Just like Little League, there will be a tryout and teams will be selected by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors. Q: Do 13 year-olds just play with other 13's or are they combined with older players.
A: The 13 year-old players play in the Prep Division, which is limited to other 13 year-olds. The following year they will play as 14 year olds with 15 year old players in either the American or the National league, discussed above. Q: Where do I get answers to my questions?
A: Information is available on the McLean-Great Falls Babe Ruth website. As in many volunteer organizations, it can be difficult to assure responses to phone calls. McLean-Great Falls Babe Ruth asks that you email questions to information@mgfbaberuth.com so they can be routed to and answered by the appropriate volunteer. Please include a phone number to permit the volunteer to call you if that is a better way to respond than by email. Q: How does my child sign up for Babe Ruth?
A: You must complete and mail a registration form, which can be downloaded from the McLean-Great Falls Babe Ruth website. Graduates from McLean and Great Falls Little Leagues and returning Babe Ruth players also are contacted directly by email. Regular registration closes in mid-February, with limited openings after that through late registration so check out the Babe Ruth website today.
 © 2006 Great Falls Little League, All Rights Reserved
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