"Downtown Chatter: Babe Ruth- Another Plus for Jamestown!"

Lee Harkness

Last week we talked about what an asset the famous Jamestown Red Raiders Marching Band was for the community of Jamestown, as well as, the entire region.  Well, we have another great asset I think everyone should know about—the Babe Ruth World Series.  This year Jamestown will host its 14th World Series since 1980.  It will be for 13 year olds.   This World Series is really another “feather in the cap” of Jamestown, and is a showpiece for the entire country.  Teams attend from all the different regions of the nation. 

What does it take to put on this great event?  Locally there is a 16 member board and ex officio members.  There are over 300 volunteers who help organize and carry out this event.  This board, along with the volunteers, is not only a great group, but they work extremely hard to make sure this event is nothing but “first class”.  As we are preparing for the series this summer there are some facts I thought are were very interesting and our community should know about them. 

The budget for each series held in Jamestown is about $120,000 annually with a $3,000,000 impact on the community.  The “World Series of Cars” is a local fundraiser for this event and will host its 25th Anniversary this year.  Approximately 10,000 people attend each series filling our community, hotels, restaurants and stores.  In the 13 year old series each player brings at least 4 family members with them. 

Each year when the series is held in Jamestown, the series begins with the “Parade of Champions”—something that Jamestown alone is famous for!  All 10 national teams participate in this parade.  The parade proceeds across the entire length of Third Street with all 10 teams displayed on a large float. The parade ends at Diethrick Stadium with opening ceremonies and the first game.  Play lasts approximately one week. 

The eyes of the entire nation are on Jamestown for this event as teams come from every region of the United States.  At least 5 participants of this Babe Ruth World Series have gone onto the major leagues.  The Babe Ruth World Series and Jamestown does an extremely outstanding job with this event, and because of this, Jamestown has been designated as the Babe Ruth World Series International training center for other communities who will be hosting a series.  Jamestown, New York, is the site of choice by Babe Ruth International! 

This year the series will be held in Jamestown August 16 – 23, 2008.  The general office for the event will be in the DJDC lobby and open approximately one month prior to the start of the series.  If you have never attended any baseball game in Diethrick Park (and remember we have great Jammers team located here also) this is another great family entertainment event more then worthwhile, Jamestown has to offer.  You should make every effort to take in this event!  There is nothing better then the smell of popcorn and hot dogs while watching some of our most outstanding, athletic youth perform the sport of baseball at its best.