By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Ten teams participating in the Babe Ruth League World Series Regional Tournaments this summer will come to Nephi for play-offs.
Jay and Amy Maughan, chairpersons representing the local baseball league, attended Juab County Commission meeting to garner support for the event.
Part of the Pacific Southwest Region games will be played in Nephi. The Major/60 will be held in Nephi beginning on July 26.
“It will be a four-week tournament and will bring approximately 600 people to our area,” said Amy Maughan.
Players come from throughout the district, she said.
“We will even have players from Guam.”
This year, she said, the participants will be staying in local motels and will not be housed by local residents. That should be a boon for the local innkeepers.
Jay Maughan said one problem was that the local host group, Juab Baseball, was starting out in the hole and needed funds.
LuWayne Walker, commissioner, said that he thought the county had donated $500 in the past. At least, his recollection was that, two years ago, that was what had been contributed.
“We are starting out $350 in the hole this year,” said Amy Maughan. “We are just trying to figure out the budget.”
It takes a bundle of money, approximately $3,000, to host the event. One of the expenses is a meal that is provided for participants and their families.
“Let us talk to Special Service District #2,” said LuWayne Walker, commissioner.
Chad Winn, commissioner, said board members needed a two day notice prior to any meeting but he would arrange a meeting as quickly as he could.
Winn represents the county commission on the board.
“I’ll approach the board for $1,000,” he said.
The fee for the multipurpose room at the county fairgrounds could also be reduced or waived.
Jay Maughan said that local businesses would also be approached as would other groups who might be willing to help or to contribute.
The opening ceremonies audio has been donated, for example.
“We are just trying to get this going again,” said Amy Maughan.
Walker said that attracting the tournament to the city was good for businesses and brought needed tourist dollars to the area.
“Let us see what we can do to offer our support,” said Walker.
First organized over 50 years ago, the league was renamed to Babe Ruth in 1954, after Claire Ruth, Babe Ruth’s widow agreed to have the league named after her late husband.
Since then, Babe Ruth League has steadily grown into one of the premier amateur baseball and softball programs in the world.
From a league that used to have only 10 teams based in New Jersey, Babe Ruth now has tremendously increased to over 7,000 leagues worldwide, with over 886,500 players on some 45,200 teams.
Babe Ruth now caters to aspiring baseball players aged 13-18. Though its Cal Ripken division, Babe Ruth also offers baseball to players aged 5-12.
Other games in the region will be: 8YO, Scottsdale, AZ, TBA; 9YO, Elk Grove, CA, July 26; 10YO, Elk Grove, CA, also July 26; 11YO/60, Panguitch, UT TBA;11YO/70, Taylorsville, UT, TBA; Major/70, Long Beach, CA, July 26; 13YO, Surprise, AZ, August 3;14YO Surprise, AZ, August 3;13-15 Ukiah, CA, August. 4; 16-18, Watsonville, CA, July 22.
