POINTS OF INTEREST INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Diamond Legacy Graduate Corner 2 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2012 Alan Swaim Volunteer 3 Message From Alumni Chairman Spotlight David Hargrove Babe Ruth League is one of you a dime, the fastest growing youth though New Alumni 4 baseball and softball your gifts Association programs in America, and is are needed Advisory Board proud to be associated with and greatly appreciated. two of the most famous athletes of all time: George Part of what we have to offer Hero Comes to 5 Herman “Babe” Ruth and Cal you is the legacy of Babe Ruth the Rescue for Ripken, Jr. League, Inc., a program that Goffstown Participating in sports began with a ten-team league Babe Ruth League Alumni encourages kids to stay in that now services over belong to a club that consists school. Participation teaches 1,000,000 participants. The Babe Ruth League 6 of the most caring individuals kids many of the skills that legacy of a program that has Elections dedicated to the youth of our can make an individual risen to meet the needs of nation. successful in society. They generations of kids—that learn to communicate with taught valuable life lessons, There are innumerable ways others. They learn teamwork. taught us community, Graduates in the 6 youth can get into trouble in They learn that by hard work nurtured us, and inspired us News today’s world. Kids are and extra efforts, you can to being the very best we exposed to the media, the achieve a successful outcome. could be. Babe Ruth internet, easily available drugs These lessons learned, League...defeats and victories, and addictive substances, and coupled with a better self growing pains, pride, In Loving Memory 7 other detrimental activities. concept gained through satisfaction, camaraderie, and of Those We Lost participation, make children sweet memories. Today’s less vulnerable to engaging in The Babe Ruth League young people need you. Help problem behaviors. Alumni Association is strictly us shape their future into volunteer-driven. We make something extraordinary. Dedicated 8 the decision to volunteer If you are a current member, Volunteer many hours of our busy lives thank you. If you are not a James Wagoner Inspired from the to the Alumni Association member yet, we welcome you Chairman Heart because we believe in to join a talented, caring and providing an educational and successful group of fellow Thanks to Those 8 wholesome experience to help alumni members. I believe we Who Donated keep kids out of trouble. have something to offer you. Something that needn’t cost We need your help! The Diamond Legacy Newsletter wants you to share your special “Babe Ruth League Moments from the Past.” Think back to a special remembrance you have from your “Babe Ruth” days on and off the diamond and share these thoughts in the Newsletter. Please send your stories, photos and comments to [email protected]. PAGE 2 Graduate Corner — Alan Swaim Alan Swaim of Van Buren, hoping they enjoy it just as much. Arkansas, said, “Baseball has been in my life as long as I can In addition to Babe Ruth League, remember and my first word was Inc., Alan has assisted youth by also probably ‘ball’.” volunteering his time with the Boys & Girls Club. Since his time playing Babe Ruth Baseball back in the 1960’s, he He is a former Board Member of the greatly admired what Babe Ruth Van Buren Boys & Girls Club, Van League, Inc. did for him and Buren Chamber of Commerce and what it has done for countless youth Arkansas State Chamber of in this country. Commerce. Alan currently serves on the Arkansas State Outdoor Swaim, who is known simply as Big Recreation Grants Commission. Al by those who know and adore him, loves the game and coached Swaim’s outstanding work has not Babe Ruth Baseball for 30 years. He gone unnoticed. He has received has an amazing ability to interact many honors over the years, with kids from 1 to 101. including: As the Former Administrator for the 2008 Babe Ruth League/Lefty Field of Dreams Athletic Complex Gomez Volunteer of the Year in Van Buren, Alan has a following 2005 Van Buren Citizen of the of athletes who revere his kind Year heart. 2004 Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award He is most recognized for his 2004 Kiwanis Club Volunteer of leadership role in bringing the Babe the Year Ruth World Series to Van Buren. 1982 Fort Smith Boy’s Club Man Under his leadership, Van Buren of the Year has hosted several successful Babe 1982 Optimist Club Youth Ruth World Series, including the Worker of the Year 2012 13-15 World Series. Alan is the owner-operator of Babe Ruth League Headquarters Swaim Office Products in Van was so amazed by their community Buren. He has been married to his pride and accomplishments that wife Debbie for 43 years. They have Van Buren now serves as a training two children and five site for future World Series hosts. grandchildren. Alan loves the game so much that he has introduced thousands of players to the national pastime. DIAMOND LEGACY VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 PAGE 3 Volunteer Spotlight—David Hargrove Dave Midwest Plains Softball Regional Thomas Jefferson High School Hargrove of Commissioner, a position he held Booster Club, serving as the Denver, until the regional positions were organization’s President from 2000 to Colorado has reorganized in 2008. 2003; and the University of Colorado been awarded the 2012 Babe Ruth Engineering Alumni Board. Softball Volunteer of the Year Today, Hargrove holds the title of Award. Midwest Plains Assistant Regional Commissioner for Babe Ruth Softball, Dave started in youth baseball and and serves as a Board Member for softball some 25 years ago, where he the Southeast Denver Babe Ruth served in several positions for the League. Southeast Denver Babe Ruth League that included Director for the Additionally, Dave has administered Instructional, Minor, Bambino, and and served on many tournament Senior Divisions, as well as League committees for Colorado and the President and Board Member. Midwest Plains Babe Ruth Leagues, as well as worked as a Tournament Dave has also held several positions Director/Task Force Member for Dave was officially presented with at the state level for both baseball several Babe Ruth Softball National the Softball Volunteer of the Year and softball: Colorado Babe Ruth Tournaments and World Series. Award at the recent Midwest Plains Baseball District Commissioner, Regional Meeting. Pictured above Colorado Softball Director, and Hargrove was elected to the (left to right) are Babe Ruth Colorado Babe Ruth Softball State Colorado Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in President/CEO Steven Tellefsen, Commissioner. 2008. Hargrove, and Chairman of the Board James Wagoner In 1994, Hargrove became the Dave was also involved with the Did You Know... ...that Cal Ripken, Jr. played two primary positions in his career, shortstop and third base. ...that Ripken scored the winning run in his major league debut on August 10, 1981. He was a pinch runner for Ken Singleton and scored on John Lowenstein’s single. ...no shortstop in the Hall of Fame has a career fielding percentage as high as Ripken’s (.979). ...Ripken is one of four major league shortstops to hit 30 or more homers in a season, joining Ernie Banks, Vern Stephens and Rico Petrocelli. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 PAGE 4 The New Babe Ruth League Alumni Association Advisory Board The Babe Ruth League Alumni League and as a Southern Gloves at second base and Association has established a California District racked up 1,432 hits in his career new Advisory Board to assist Commissioner. with a lifetime batting average with the shaping and direction of .266, 34 home runs and 390 of the Babe Ruth program to RICK LEGUE of Des Moines, RBIs. benefit every youngster who Iowa. Mr. Legue is the wishes to participate. Relationship Manager for ALAN SWAIM of Van Buren, Nationwide Insurance. He Arkansas. Mr. Swaim played Their role will be advisory in oversees the National Affinity Babe Ruth Baseball in the 1960’s. nature and their function will be Solutions program that offers Since his playing days, he has to advise and assist in all quality insurance at special rates served in many positions for planning, development and to the Babe Ruth League Babe Ruth League over the past evaluation. membership. 30 years. His is most recognized for bringing the Babe Ruth Currently, the Babe Ruth SCOTT MC GREGOR of World Series to Van Buren. Alumni Association comprises Sarasota, Florida. Mr. Under his leadership, Van close to 1,000 members, as well McGregor is a graduate of Babe Buren has hosted several as thousands more expected to Ruth League and a former Major successful World Series. enroll in the future. League Baseball player with the Baltimore Orioles. Scott’s Babe J. MICHAEL THOMPSON of What distinguishes the Babe Ruth team participated in the St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Ruth Alumni Association from 1969 Babe Ruth 13-15 World Thompson is the Vice President other associations is our Series, where he was named the of Sports Marketing and uncompromising commitment Most Valuable Player. Business Development for to provide all youth with many Rawlings. Rawlings has been a valuable life lessons to meet the BILL PULLAN of Bethel, longtime partner of Babe Ruth challenges of adolescence and Connecticut. Mr. Pullan retired League and serves as the adulthood, while at the same from the Babe Ruth program in organization’s official helmet, as time encouraging their drive for 2009 after volunteering for five well as tournament baseball and personal excellence and decades, holding many softball.