DIAMOND LEGACY NEWSLETTER

POINTS OF INTEREST INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Graduate Corner 2 News from the League Alumni Association Kolten Wong MAY 2015 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5

Babe Ruth League 3 Plans Move into New Message From Alumni Chairman Headquarters

Norsworthy 4 It is with great that participate. Retires enthusiasm and If you are excitement that I serve It’s our Time! As Babe already a as Chairman of the Ruth Alumni, we have member, Buddy Ball 5 Alumni Association. the heart, the talent and we thank Celebrates 5th Throughout my 50+ the tenacity to make an you for your continued Season years of affiliation with extraordinary impact by commitment to Babe Babe Ruth League, I delivering both Ruth League. Opening Day 6 have often reflected, excellence and Ceremonies with great appreciation, opportunity. This has Staying connected is a upon the many been true since our simple but powerful milestones and pioneering beginning, Jenna 7 bond, and provides the achievements we have and it remains true Kubesch-Raizes opportunity to reflect reached for our today. participants. I often on our experiences

think about how with Babe Ruth League Welcome New 10 fulfilling my Our most enduring and the rich tradition Alumni Members involvement as a successes always have and growing volunteer has been, and been the result of our community that makes how a special love and stepping forward and the Babe Ruth League Babe Ruth’s Life 11 pride for the program coming together with After Baseball experience unique. has kept me wanting to the will to effect great change and the will to do more. There is no better way empower youth. Scholarships 13 to keep those memories Even though I am still and that meaning alive active in the Babe Ruth Please join me by than actively becoming program as Chairman of becoming a member of a part of the Alumni Washington the International Board 14 the Babe Ruth League Association. Nationals of Directors, I felt it was Champions Day Alumni Association to necessary to help build a bolder legacy

establish and administer for Babe Ruth League

Memories of Tom 15 the new Babe Ruth and a world that very Brady’s Days on League Alumni the Babe Ruth much needs the best we Diamond Association to help can give to positively advance the general change the lives of James Wagoner welfare of the Babe Ruth children nationwide. program and the youth PAGE 2 Graduate Corner — Kolten Wong milestone since Wong started using his sweet swing—a stroke his father helped hone by having his son cut down trees with a machete—to send K baseballs over fences. (Wong’s father, Kaha Wong, played college baseball at USC and played two years of minor league ball.) O The Cardinals selected Wong in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, L Kolten Wong, a graduate of the Hilo, and promoted him to the major , Babe Ruth League, plays leagues two years later. He has second base for the St. Louis become the Cardinals’ starting second Cardinals. baseman and was named the T Rookie of the Month He made his MLB debut in 2013, bats for May 2014. left-handed and throws right-handed. When the Cardinals called up Wong E Wong started in baseball for his local from Triple-A-Memphis, word Babe Ruth League, for Kamehameha spread to media outlets in Hawaii Hawaii High School, and for the before the Cardinals could even issue N University of Hawaii at Manoa. a news release. Everyone knew this day was coming. Those who know Wong is one of five Hawaii-born Wong say his father Kaha sat his son players currently in the major down at a young age. They say the baseball and former minor leaguer told Kolten he would have to work hard every single day if he wanted to be a pro. They say Kolten W agreed. The question was not if, but when.

Wong is never too busy for anybody O Kolten Wong and his Babe Ruth League team in his hometown community. That speaks a lot to his character. He is leagues. The hard-hitting lefty from always helping, lending a hand, and N Hilo is just the second baseball player is humble in his success. from his hometown to make baseball’s biggest stage—Onan Kolten Wong’s rise to majors has had Masoka was the first, pitching for the Hawaii buzzing with pride. An eight G Dodgers in 1999 and 2000. hour plane ride isn’t necessary to find out what Wong means to the 50th Wong is a big deal on the islands of state. His support there is strong Hawaii, where friends, family and enough to cross the Pacific Ocean. fans waited patiently for this

DIAMOND LEGACY VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 3 Babe Ruth League Plans Move Into New International Headquarters

BRL President/CEO Steven Tellefsen, left, and Hamilton Township, NJ Mayor Kelly Yaede tour the league’s new International Headquarters in Hamilton.

Babe Ruth League will soon move into its new International Headquarters in Hamilton, New Jersey. The renovated 10,000 square-foot building will serve as a center for youth baseball and .

“We teach the kids the games of baseball and softball, but the main goal is to teach them about community service and life lessons,” Tellefsen said.

“It’s like night and day,” Tellefsen added. “Our employees have been jammed in that building for so long and to be able to provide a better work atmosphere and offer better service to our leagues is the main goal.”

The new Headquarters is more than the size of the old offices. This will allow BRL to invite commissioners, coaches and players from its 10,000+ member leagues to Hamilton for events, tournaments and fundraisers. “We have the opportunity to invite them to Headquarters, where we have a really nice place and hotels close by,” Tellefsen said.

“Hamilton is a strong baseball and softball town,” Mayor Kelly Yaede said while touring the renovations with Tellefsen. “It’s truly an honor to have you back home where you belong.”

“The league’s Hall of Fame and Museum will greet visitors when they enter through the main door,” Tellefsen said. “We have a whole room full of memorabilia. Babe Ruth League has collected dozens of pieces of memorabilia from famous alumni through the years. Artists from the Cal Ripken Division will paint a mural along the walls depicting Ripken and his father, longtime Baltimore Orioles Manager Cal Ripken, Sr. The highlight of the new space is a conference room with a long mahogany table emblazoned with the league’s red, white, and blue logo.”

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 4 Norsworthy Retires from Babe Ruth League Jim Norsworthy of Parker Ford, Pennsylvania, has officially hung up his cap as Assistant Middle Atlantic Softball Regional Commissioner.

Norsworthy, recipient of the Babe Ruth Softball Volunteer of the Year Award in 2008, has been involved with the Babe Ruth program since 1983.

Over the years Norsworthy has held several positions, serving as a groundskeeper, League Vice President, League President, umpire, Assistant District Commissioner, District Commissioner, State Commissioner, and the position he held at retirement, Assistant Middle Atlantic Regional Commissioner for Babe Ruth Softball.

In addition, Norsworthy has served as a Task Force Member for Middle Atlantic Hall of Fame several Babe Ruth World Series. member, Ruth McCullen presents retiring Norsworthy with a Babe Ruth Norsworthy’s retirement ends a special era in which he has brought Softball Ambassador jacket. The presentation was held at the MAR the game of softball to thousands of kids throughout the Middle Regional Meeting held in Mount Atlantic Region. The Babe Ruth Alumni Association offers Jim Laurel, NJ. Norsworthy our sincere appreciation and hopes he will always remain a part of our team.

James Wagoner was Babe Ruth League named the Arkansas will be moving to Area Council its new home in Volunteer of the Hamilton Year. Township, NJ.

Bayonne, NJ BRL’s Ocala, FL will host Santiago Jimenez the 2016 Cal Ripken pitched a No-Hitter Major/60 World

on Opening Day. Series. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 5 Buddy Ball League Celebrates Fifth Season As youth baseball teams began forming and playing in March, there was a special league that celebrated its fifth season at Eastmonte Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida on March 14 that is sponsored by Bright House Networks and Bright House Sports Network.

Known as Central Florida Bambino Buddy Ball, it is designed for children ages 5 to 20 with mental or physical challenges who want to play baseball. Buddy Ball Baseball League in Orlando Attracts Record Number of Participants The league, affiliated with Florida District 12, gives these challenged children an opportunity to do something that was not possible before—participating in organized sports, said Sarah Reece, League President, who is also an Altamonte Springs City Councilwoman.

What makes this program unique is each player has a “buddy” that helps them hit, throw and move around the bases. These buddies are adult volunteers or responsible older children, such as Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball players from all of the leagues in District 12. The Buddy Ball players need a special field to play on that makes moving around the bases easier for them and their buddy. In some cases, the buddy will have to push the player in a wheelchair or help a player use a walker.

“We’ve had all different kinds of volunteers, and I think they get as much out of the experience as the players,” Sarah said.

After learning about the unique program and Altamonte Springs’ desire to build one of the first such fields in the nation, Bright House Networks and Bright House Sports Network teamed up to finance the construction of the field in 2010, in exchange for naming rights for 10 years. Besides the custom playing surface, the field also has special features such as shading for the stands and dugouts, as well as an outfield banner on the fence with the Bright House Networks and Bright House Sports Network logos.

The Bright House Sports Network Stadium, dedicated in April 2010, is a special facility designed to provide physically and mentally challenged athletes a place to enjoy baseball on the field, in the action and not just in the stands. To help the Buddy Ball players’ families participate, Bright House Networks and Bright House Sports Network help underwrite the fees so no one has to pay.

“It’s just grown tremendously,” Sarah Reece noted. “The number of players keeps growing each season as word spreads about the special league and its unique venue. The league never has trouble finding buddies to assist the players, either. Another benefit is what it brings to the players’ families. It’s great for the parents to be able to watch their child play from the stands, as other sports families do.” VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 6 Babe Ruth League Opening Day Ceremonies Held Across the Country

It is during the month of April that thousands of Babe Ruth leagues across the country hold their official Opening Day. Many festivities are planned—team and individual pictures—exhibition games—games for the young and old alike—great food—raffles - auctions, and much more. You hear the first crack of the bat. You smell freshly mowed grass. Your cravings for grilled hot dogs return. There is something for all your senses? Shown below are photos from Babe Ruth League Opening Days for the 2015 season.

Woodland, CA

East Bay, FL

Arizona Diamondbacks and Tamps Bay Rays Dare County, NC mascots showed up to the Scottsdale, AZ and Lakeland Highlands, FL Opening Days. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 7

Graduate in the News…Jenna Kubesch-Raizes

Thousands of dreams are born on Babe Ruth Postgraduate Scholarship League diamonds each year where the true spirit of Award. During her Tiger the game is seen through the eyes of a child. With career, Jenna set and still close to 65 years of history and camaraderie, the holds five Tiger pitching Babe Ruth program has changed the lives of records. millions of young athletes. Jenna received her One such athlete is Jenna Kubesch-Raizes, a native Bachelor of Arts in of Weimar, Texas, a graduate of the Texas Tri- journalism and Master of Counties Babe Ruth Softball League, where she Science in sports and received the opportunity to participate in many leisure commerce degrees from the University of state and regional tournaments, as well as at Memphis in 2006 and 2007. several Babe Ruth Softball World Series, and a recipient of a Babe Ruth League scholarship in Following her softball career at Memphis, Jenna 2003. joined the staff of Learfield Sports and handled corporate marketing for the University of New Jenna came to the University of Memphis as a Hampshire. She also spent a year serving as an college transfer in the fall of 2005 after playing for event and sponsorship coordinator for CHAD, the two seasons at George College and State Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and University. An experienced and record-setting two years as the head softball coach at Portsmouth pitcher, she immediately became the starter for the High School. She is currently employed as the Memphis Tigers in the team’s first year of Senior Vice President & Assistant General Manager competition. Jenna led Conference USA with two of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the AA no-hitters in 2006; including a perfect game against baseball affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Jenna Grambling State. She recorded 30 appearances and still serves on the Friends of CHAD Board and led the team in earned average (1.87), coaches youth softball clinics throughout the state. pitched (165), strikeouts (158), and shutouts (six). For her play during the 2006 season, she was Jenna was inducted into the Anfernee “Penny” named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All- Hardaway/University of Memphis Athletic Hall of District IV First Team and was voted the team’s Fame in January of 2014. Most Valuable Player. As a senior, Jenna’s streak of outstanding performances continued. She threw Jenna resides in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a one-hitter against Tulsa in the C-USA with her husband Charley and son Ryder, who was Championship, surpassed the 200 strikeout mark born on Opening Day of the Fisher Cats 2014 during the season, set a school record with 24 wins season. and was nominated by the University for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. She finished We were able to catch up with Jenna, who was her two-year career at Memphis with a 2.03 ERA, more than happy to answer our questions about 401 strikeouts in 407.1 innings pitched and her days playing Babe Ruth Softball and how this compiled a 37-23 record with four no-hitters. experience and the people she met along the way has changed her life. An honor student with an overall GPA of 3.94, Jenna was named to the 2007 Conference USA All- When did you first start participating in the Academic Team, was selected for the second time program? to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV First Team and received the 2007 C-USA (Story continues on next page) VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 8

Graduate in the News…Jenna Kubesch-Raizes

Jenna: At five-years-old, I played t-ball and catcher. Looking back, the time we spent as a switched to Babe Ruth Softball around the age of 8. family at the softball field (my dad, mom and sister Kailey, also a Babe Ruth World Series champion) What positions did you play? made for some of the best times despite the weekly road trips and long practices. Jenna: I was the tallest, so first base until Coach Dad decided he needed more pitchers. I pitched, Who was your favorite athlete as a kid and why? played first base and shortstop through high school and played third base when not pitching in Jenna: Jeff Bagwell – he played first base for the my first year of college. Houston Astros and was a “Killer B.” They were my favorite team! Did you play any other sports? If so, what influence did those other sports have on you? Were there any community service activities you did as a kid? Jenna: I played volleyball, which kept me quick on my feet and helped improve my softball game. Jenna: Weimar, Texas is small, less than 2,000 people. So in terms of “community service”, it was You were the first player to ever win the Most really more about pitching in to make our small Outstanding Player Award in back to back Babe town great. We always worked to get the fields Ruth World Series (2001-02). Did you know that ready to play, volunteered for our church picnics, at the time? parochial school fundraisers and youth team fundraisers. Jenna: I didn’t know that. You were inducted into the University of What memories do you have of those World Memphis Hall of Fame. Tell us about your Series? softball career at Memphis.

Jenna: My best memories revolve around my Jenna: I owe so much to the host families. I’ve seen my host families from all University of Memphis and its three of the World Series in which I participated administrators for taking a chance multiple times over the years. My family is still on softball and starting the very close to a couple of the regional directors of program in the fall of 2005. the past – Bobby Neveaux and Sonny Groom. Without the folks there, I wouldn’t Some random memories I have include the “It’s have been able to realize my World Series Time” song from 2000, the food in dream of playing at a Division I Abbeville, Louisiana (amazing), and the field that level, and they treated our team we played on in North Carolina – it was awesome better than I could have imagined that it used to be a baseball field. (While I was in terms of support staff, marketing efforts, and playing at the University of Memphis, we got to go resources for both the field and the classroom. My back to play in Greenville, NC, vs. ECU! It was softball career there was ultimately successful awesome.) because my coaches allowed me to grow as an athlete and as a pitcher. I became a strong player Who was the most influential figure in your while I was there, and graduated when I felt like I youth softball career? was at a peak in terms of speed, confidence and movement on my pitches. Jenna: My dad. He was (and still is) a great (Story continues on next page) coach and certainly paid his dues, too, as my VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 9

Graduate in the News…Jenna Kubesch-Raizes

I look back and can really be thankful for my time children. Babe Ruth League prides itself on spent at Memphis because my coaches and providing an outlet for kids that has helped them administrators helped me start my professional develop strong, clean, healthy bodies, minds and career on the right foot, too, by encouraging me in souls. The concept of teamwork, of sacrificing my coursework. I was able to graduate with a individual needs to work together in seeking a 3.941 GPA in my undergraduate studies in common goal, is one of the great teaching points Journalism and nearly finish my master’s degree for children participating in the Babe Ruth League during my four-year playing career, too. program. In addition, the idea of working hard for a specific goal, of putting in the necessary time to You are now the Senior Vice President & be able to do a task well, is another great lesson for Assistant General Manager of the New our participants. And the concept of dealing with Hampshire Fisher Cats. What steps did you take individual and/or group failure or the loss of game to reach this level in your career? is also at the heart of what Babe Ruth League teaches our kids. We have always believed that if Jenna: Honestly, I met Mr. Ron Tellefsen (the we teach our youngsters to pick themselves up late President/CEO of BRL) and Ms. Jaime Horn when the success they are seeking eludes them, if (the late BRL Softball Commissioner) at the North we can help them to understand the need to go to Carolina World Series. During conversation, I practice again and to try, try again, in spite of remember asking them how they got to their jobs – demonstrated lack of success, then we will be I was in awe of their jobs and realized that teaching them how to be successful adults. “working in baseball” was seemingly the perfect plan for me. Their words of wisdom really stuck Ms. Jenna Kubesch-Raizes is a wonderful example with me – if you take the life lessons and positives of how the lessons you learn from participating in learned while playing the game and carry them Babe Ruth League can help you succeed in life. with you as you progress in life, you can realize the dreams that began on the softball diamond. Fast forward through two internships in the , a coaching stint, a college internship and my first “real” job with Learfield Sports, many networking events, etc., I’m proud to be a part of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. We truly try to provide an affordable, first-class entertainment experience for families in our region, and it feels great to go home at night knowing that you made kids and adults smile through something as simple as a silly promotion between innings.

Do you have any advice to pass on to youth who want to become better softball players?

Jenna: Practice. It’s the only way to get better. And play Babe Ruth Softball, of course!

Playing Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball can be a very prominent part of the growth process for VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 10 Welcome New Alumni Members...

Shawn Croke, of Stoughton, Massachusetts. He is the current League President for the Stoughton Babe Ruth League, where he also served as a coach, manager, Board Member, and participated as a player in his youth. Shawn’s dad, the late Francis J. Croke, was President of the Stoughton Babe Ruth League in the 1980s.

Ralph Errico, of Edison, New Jersey. His first experience with the Babe Ruth League program was as a player in the Bayonne Babe Ruth League. As an adult, he served as a Board Member for the Edison Boys Babe Ruth League, as an Assistant District Commissioner, District Commissioner, and as Assistant State Commissioner. Ralph currently serves as Middle Atlantic Assistant Regional Commissioner and as Northern New Jersey State Commissioner.

Connie Fredericksen, of Richmond, Virginia. Connie has been a volunteer for the Lakeside Youth Babe Ruth League for the past 19 years, serving as a secretary, equipment manager, publicity director, coach, scorekeeper and Team Mom. She continues to retain her coaching certificate and works with the senior division by keeping score and performing other various duties.

George Jaye, of Howell, New Jersey. George started his Babe Ruth career as a coach, manager and league official for the North Edison Babe Ruth League. He went on to serve as a District and Assistant State Commissioner.

Steven Klein, of Old Bridge, New Jersey. Steven started in the Babe Ruth League program as a coach, manager, league official and League President. He went on to serve as a District Commissioner, Assistant State Commissioner and State Commissioner for Northern New Jersey.

William Loocke, of Wharton, Texas. Bill’s Babe Ruth affiliation has evolved around the Wharton Babe Ruth League, serving as a manager, coach, player agent, treasurer, and board member. In addition, he served as Host President of the 1994 World Series held in Wharton. Currently, Bill serves as District 1 and 2 Commissioner for South Texas.

Jason Seliga, of Jermyn, Pennsylvania. Jason played and now serves as a manager, coach, and in other volunteer positions for the Valley View Babe Ruth League in Archbald, Pennsylvania. He also served as part of the umpiring crew for the Pennsylvania State Big League Tournament.

David Singmaster, of Chantilly, Virginia. David has been involved with the Northern Fairfax Babe Ruth League serving as a league official and manager.

Dalton Venrick, of Winter Haven, Florida. Dalton is currently a player with the Winter Haven Babe Ruth League. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 11

Babe Ruth’s Life After Baseball Once Babe Ruth determined that his contract with the Boston Braves held no management potential, he ended his active baseball career and was subsequently released. Now faced with a life after baseball, he did the same things many ex-ballplayers do. He bowled, he hunted (where his great eyes made him a crack shot), and with an average in the high 70s, he pondered a career as a professional golfer.

The Babe as a Doting Father The domestic life he had been settling into during the last years of his career now became more of a priority. As his daughters grew older, Ruth became a stereotypical overprotective father— examining their dates and enforcing a midnight curfew. When Julia was suffering from severe strep throat in 1938 and needed a blood transfusion, Babe hurried home from an exhibition game in Albany to supply what was needed once it was discovered he had the same blood type as his adopted daughter. Julia recovered soon thereafter, and Babe was there to walk her down the aisle at her wedding three years later. He looked quite dapper in black tails and a top hat.

Living comfortably on the money Claire, Babe’s wife, had carefully saved and the new cash still coming in from endorsements, the Ruths maintained the same core group of friends from the olds days and had frequent visitors to their Riverside Drive apartment in New York City. They played cards, hosted parties (including one each year on Babe’s birthday), or Claire simply read aloud to her husband—a habit she had picked up when Ruth was still with the Yankees and didn’t want to strain his eyes. He enjoyed beating his mother-in-law at checkers, and if Julia and her friends needed a fourth for bridge, Babe was always accommodating. He never missed an episode of his favorite radio programs—especially The Lone Ranger and Gangbusters.

Babe The Golfer Golf was his main athletic release. He was a very strong player who once beat future US and British amateur champion Dick Chapman in a tournament, but erratic drives and a weak putting game curtailed his dreams of a pro career. He was forever working at his game. Trips to the St. Alban’s course on Long Island (with a stop at the butcher’s along the way for steaks to eat later in the clubhouse) became a regular part of his routine. It was a seemingly happy time. Babe was a cheerful, humorous golfer, able to poke fun at the shortcomings of his own game and always capable of drawing a crowd. When he participated in a New York charity match with famous athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias and two others, it drew a gallery of 12,000. Play had to be stopped when crowds rushed the fairways each time Ruth prepared to shoot. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 12

We are looking for your old pictures. They can include anything— teammates, team photos, plays, special events, etc. We would like to feature pictures from the past in issues of Diamond Legacy. Simply scan them and email them to [email protected]. HAVE ARTICLES OR STORIES—Submit them to [email protected] or mail to Theresa Cleary, P.O. Box 5000, Trenton, NJ 08638.

Blast From The Past

Stamford Connecticut 1954 Babe Ruth 13-15 World Series Champions (Hosted by Washington DC) VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 13 Scholarships Philanthropic support is essential as today, a shifting economy poses a significant challenge for college-bound students. Babe Ruth League Alumni and friends have the ability to turn the dream of a quality education into a solid reality.

The goal of Babe Ruth League is to provide scholarships to academically successful students who are graduates of the program. These scholarships are offered through the Babe Ruth League Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to Babe Ruth graduates throughout the United States, and alumni funded endowments, such as the Irby Luquette Endowment Scholarship, established by his son Gary, which is awarded annually to deserving Babe Ruth League graduates from the Southwest Region.

Presently the Babe Ruth League Scholarship Program is funded through money raised from the annual Babe Ruth League Golf Tournament, and Babe Ruth League is able to award an average of 10 scholarships per year to deserving graduates. However, it is the goal of the Alumni Association to provide financial support to additional graduates. In order to be able to provide more scholarships, we need to rely solely on private donations. We are urging all Alumni to consider making a steadfast promise of financial support to deserving students who have earned the right to continue their education beyond high school You can demonstrate the power of the Babe Ruth league Alumni network by contributing to the Babe Ruth League Scholarship Program.

Or if you prefer to have a perpetual impact, establish an endowed scholarship. Endowed scholarships are funded through the returns on a capital investment that provide continual financial aid to students over time. Once established, the donor and/or other individuals and organizations may continue to give to the fund. A minimum commitment of $25,000 to $30,000 is necessary to establish an endowment fund. The higher the endowment, the higher percentage that goes to students. The goal is to not use the principal, but to use the returns on the capital investment. All endowed scholarship funds may be named. Donors may have their names or the name of a loved one, or another honoree linked to their fund. And if you wish, you can designate who is eligible for the scholarship. For example: The Irby Luquette Endowed Scholarship is awarded to Babe Ruth League graduates from the Southwest Region.

When it comes to the tax benefits of an endowed scholarship, several factors come into play. If you make a cash gift during life, as a general rule, you can take a charitable deduction of up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. If your gift exceeds 50 percent of your annual gross income, you can roll over the difference to the following year, for five years going forward. Giving at death, through a trust or will, provides an unlimited charitable deduction. The right way to endow a scholarship for tax purposes can differ case by case, so it is always wise to consult with a tax attorney.

Consider making a gift today as many promising students face a hard decision when their choice to attend college might burden their families with thousands of dollars of debt. By supporting extraordinary students, you:

 Make it possible for the youth of today to have the skills needed to lead tomorrow.  Give tomorrow’s innovators and visionaries the tools to achieve the extraordinary.  Transform the trajectory of the individual.  Provide the means for outstanding scholars to reach their potential, and skip a stone into the waters of promise creating unlimited ripples of hope.

For further information contact Theresa Cleary at 609-278-2308 or via email at [email protected].

The Babe Ruth League Alumni Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Organization. Whenever you make a donation to the Alumni Association, you will be able to make a tax deduction when you file your taxes. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 14 Babe Ruth League Happenings Across the Country

Fox Point, WI Babe Ruth League Harbor City, WA Warming Up Players Installs New Scoreboard Paris, Kentucky Getting Fields Ready

Hamilton, Montana Babe Ruth League Player

Message says it all!

Spokane, WA Babe Ruth League Team of the Week “Creepers” pose for a picture. Washington Nationals’ Champions Day

The Washington Nationals are proud to support youth baseball and softball in the Washington D.C. area. The Champions Day series is a program that recognizes teams that have won championship titles. Babe Ruth youth champions were invited to Nationals Park to participate in an on- field, pregame recognitions ceremony prior to a Nationals Game this past Fall.

Congratulations to the following Virginia State Champions for this well-deserved recognition and thanks to the Washington Nationals for their support of youth baseball and softball.

 Shenandoah 12U Babe Ruth Softball  Halifax County South Cal Ripken Major/60  Winchester Cal Ripken Major/70 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 PAGE 15

Sincere Thanks to Those Who Donated During the Past Quarter In Memory Of... Capital Building Campaign Regina Schoellkopf By James Wagoner By Steven Klein By Steven Tellefsen By George Jaye By Joseph Smiegocki By Bill Pullan By Western Massachusetts Cal Ripken Ron Bachman

By O’Meara, Leer, Wagner & Kohl Miscellaneous Contributions By Samuel Baker By George Burke Ronald Tellefsen By Nancy and Robert Faherty Memories of Tom Brady’s Days on the Diamond Tom Brady, Jr., a quarterback for the New England Patriots football team, is a graduate of the San Mateo, California Babe Ruth League (now known as the Bel-Mateo Babe Ruth League as the Belmont and San Mateo Babe Ruth Leagues merged into one program in 2009.)

One of the longtime managers for the Red Sox team of the Belmont Babe Ruth League was Rich Bortoli. Rich began coaching in the Belmont Babe Ruth League when his son Jay played as a 13-year- old. However, after Jay graduated from the Babe Ruth ranks three years later, Bortoli remained in the Babe Ruth program because he liked working with the age group.

Bortoli often shares fond memories of his son’s Babe Ruth career. One of his favorites was when his Red Sox team played against Tom Brady’s team from the San Mateo Babe Ruth League (before the two leagues merged to form the current Bel-Mateo makeup). Brady was a catcher in those days, and Bortoli’s account of the now New England Patriots quarterback was about how the scouting report on Brady’s arm strength was perhaps a bit skewed. “He was criticized that maybe his arm wasn’t that strong,” Bortoli said. “But he could throw it to second base, which a lot of kids that age couldn’t do. So, we stopped running on him.” Bortoli also joked about the impact of Brady going 0 for 3 against his son. “I always say my son turned him into a football player,” he said. Answers To Brain Teasers appear at the Brain Teasers—Do You Know the Answer bottom of the page

1. Find a number less than 100 that is increased by one- 6. If I have it, I don’t share it. If I share it, I don’t have fifth of its value when its digits are reversed. it. What is it? 2. Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child 7. What travels around the world but stays in one spot? was named April. The second child was named May. 8. What is so delicate that saying its name breaks it? What was the third child’s name? 9. A man was driving his truck. His lights were not on. 3. A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches The moon was not out. Up ahead, a woman was tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh? crossing the street. How did he see her? 4. Two boxers are in a match scheduled for 12 rounds. 10. A man leaves home and turns left three times, only to One of the boxers gets knocked out after only six return home facing two men wearing masks. Who rounds, yet no man throws a punch. How is this are those two men? possible? 11. If a blue house is made out of blue bricks, a yellow 5. I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old. house is made out of yellow bricks, a pink house What am I? made out of pink bricks, what is a green house made of?

The Babe Ruth League Alumni Association is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) Organization. Whenever you give a donation to the Alumni Association, you will be able to make a tax deduction when you file your Babe Ruth League taxes. Donating to the Babe Ruth League Alumni Association can help you make a difference for a Alumni Association worthy cause and help you achieve tax benefits at 1770 Brunswick Pike the same time. If you wish to make a financial P. O. Box 5000 contribution, please make the check payable to the Trenton, NJ 08638 Babe Ruth League Alumni Association and mail to www.baberuthleague.org P. O. Box 5000, Trenton, NJ 08638. Phone 609.695.1434 Fax 609.695.2505 Email [email protected] Follow the Babe Ruth Alumni Association on Facebook Diamond Legacy Editors Theresa Cleary, Trenton, New Jersey

Evelyn Skiendziel, Clifton Park, New Jersey ®2015 BRL Alumni Association All Rights Reserved

8. Silence. Silence. 8.

7. A stamp. stamp. A 7.

6. A secret secret A 6.

5. A candle. candle. A 5.

4. Both boxers are female. female. are boxers Both 4.

3. Meat. Meat. 3.

2. Johnny. Johnny. 2.

1. 45 (1/5 of 45 = 9, 9 + 45 = 54. 54. = 45 + 9 9, = 45 of (1/5 45 1. 11. Glass. Glass. 11.

10. A Catcher and an Umpire. Umpire. an and Catcher A 10.

Answers to Brain Teasers Teasers Brain to Answers 9. It was a bright and sunny day. day. sunny and bright a was It 9.