THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 14, 1995 TAG: 9501140201
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
Any doubts about Dare County's desire to host a Babe Ruth Baseball World Series were thrown out like a slow base runner Friday night.
At a reception for visiting Babe Ruth officials, the Manteo Middle School Jazz Band played, members of the Outer Banks Senior Olympics Team led cheers, and baseball fans young and old joined in one refrain:
``We want Babe Ruth!''
``I've never seen anything like it from a community trying to get a site,'' said Bob Hemond, one of four delegates from Babe Ruth Baseball Inc., as he surveyed the crowd in the First Flight Middle School gymnasium. ``This is incredible.''
Organizers for Friday night's rally expected 600 people to attend.
The larger-than-expected turnout drew praise from county officials.
``This is exhilarating and amazing,'' said Dare County Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. ``The people of Dare County have shown that they'll do whatever it takes to get this World Series here.''
Dare County, along with Concord, N.H., is being considered for the site of the 1996 Babe Ruth Boys Baseball World Series for players 16-18 years old. A decision on the series site will be made Feb. 1.
Ron Tellefsen, president and CEO of the New Jersey-based youth sports organization, praised Dare County's efforts to attract the series.
``We went to breakfast on our own this morning, and the waitress at the restaurant knew who we were, and about the effort to get the World Series here. That's very important to us,'' Tellefsen said Friday. ``It's important that not just one or two people want the World Series here, but that the entire community supports it. That's what we're looking for.''
Tellefsen said the four-member delegation will consider a number of other factors in selecting a series site, including facilities, accommodations for players and their families, and public, corporate and media support.
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr., Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, as well as North Carolina Babe Ruth officials have sent letters of support for the local World Series effort. Local municipalities and the Dare County Board of Commissioners have passed resolutions supporting the project.
``You have to lay a good foundation,'' said Tellefsen. ``The people here made the top officials aware. But you also have to have community support. There has to be a commitment locally. That's the thing that makes Babe Ruth successful.''
In terms of a park, Tellefsen said the league is looking for a 5,000-seat facility. Dare County has made a number of improvements in seating, lighting and media facilities at the Manteo High School stadium.
``One of the things we don't do is ask communities to build a facility that will be a `white elephant' after the World Series is over. We want a place with at least 5,000 seats. A lot of communities tell us they'll build a 10,000-seat park. But we don't push for that. We want our players to play in a packed stadium, so they can experience a real World Series atmosphere.''
Tellefsen said another key aspect of the World Series is accommodations. Players live with host families as part of an effort to enhance the cultural experience of playing in a unfamiliar area of the country.
``We believe one of the things that makes Babe Ruth so unique is the use of host families,'' Tellefsen said. ``This adds to the players' enjoyment of the World Series experience.''
Concord, N.H., has hosted the series in the past. Tellefsen said that while the league respects the town's track record, it is eager to expand the number of World Series host communities.
``We look favorably at the fact that they've hosted the World Series. But we have to ask if it's too soon since Concord hosted the Series, or if Dare County could wait until 1997,'' Tellefsen said. ``But we are always trying to enlarge the Babe Ruth family.''
Babe Ruth Baseball is the fastest growing youth baseball organization in the country. Since 1980, it has grown from 300,000 participants to more than 900,000 players in the United States and other countries.
Founded in 1951, the league counts among its alumni former Kansas City Royals great George Brett, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Flanigan, and current Orioles starter Ben McDonald. McDonald pitched in two Babe Ruth World Series.
A younger Oriole, 10-year-old Seth Rapoza of the Kill Devil Hills Babe Ruth League team, hopes to see some future stars here in 1996.
``I hope it comes here,'' Rapoza said at Friday night's reception. ``Maybe it will help Babe Ruth here, and help us too.''
While visions of such double plays danced in some heads, others saw the potential for the Series in terms of dollars. To be chosen as Series host, Dare County will have to invest about $40,000 in public and private contributions. Officials project that a World Series would have an economic impact estimated at $1.5 million.
``I think it's going to trickle down to the entire economy,'' said Greg Dunn, branch manager at Wachovia Bank in Manteo. ``The hotels and restaurants will benefit, and it will introduce people to the area who have never seen the Outer Banks before.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DREW C. WILSON, Staff
Supporters of bringing a Babe Ruth Baseball World Series to Dare
County turned out Friday at First Flight Middle School in Kill Devil
Hills to show their enthusiasm to program officials.
by CNB