Thanks for those who helped local baseball Siloam Springs Youth Baseball just completed its fifteenth year at the James Butts Baseball Complex. This year over 440 boys and girls signed up to play America's favorite past-time, baseball.
There were over 15, 000 volunteer hours dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of the game, raising funds, operating the concession stand, administering the league and maintaining the Butts Complex. This year Cal Ripken Baseball became the first youth sports organization to require certification of coaches, and SSYB was 100 percent compliant with the mandate.
SSYB sent eleven teams to district tournaments in post-season play this year. All but one team qualified for state tournaments in their age group. There were four district champion teams, two district runner-up teams, and two state tournament runners-up. Two teams were invited to play in upcoming regional tournaments. We were selected to host two district tournaments and a state tournament this year. Many of our guests were complimentary of our hospitality and our facilities. Our volunteers performed admirably during these tournaments. Once again, our coaches and players held true to the ideals of sportsmanship as outlined in the Babe Ruth Code. As I look back at the 2008 season, my thoughts turn towards 2009, when our league will be hosting a higher level of post season play - the Babe Ruth 15-year-old Southwest Regional Tournament. Unlike district or state, a regional tournament requires the resources of an entire community, not just those of a league.
Hotels, restaurants, churches, and private homes are all on the scouting list, as nine formidable teams and their families will come from six states in the southwest region. Our own group of 15-year-olds will represent Siloam Springs to round out the bracket. At least 75 local host families will be needed to "adopt"the players from other states, provide lodging, food and moral support while they compete in the tournament. SSYB is embarking on the first stages of planning this month so watch our web site (www. ssyb. com ) for updated information, and to find out how you can participate. We move forward with this motto in mind: Many hands make light work ! In the meantime, a great big thank you to all of our great volunteers, dedicated coaches, our parents, the City of Siloam Springs, and most of all, our many sponsors, for making youth baseball possible this season. Thanks, too, to all the generous people who donated cash and bought raffle tickets to help defray travel costs for our state teams. See you next year !
Karen Tucker Youth Baseball president
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