
DATE: Friday, July 11, 1997                 TAG: 9707110658

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: KITTY HAWK                        LENGTH:   62 lines

BABE RUTH SERIES RETURNING TO DARE IN '98 2 STATE TOURNAMENTS BEGIN PLAY TODAY ON KITTY HAWK FIELD.

Dare County officials will seal the deal to host the 1998 Babe Ruth Baseball World Series for 16- to 18-year-olds in ceremonies today.

Babe Ruth's president and chief executive officer, Ron Tellefsen, will attend the signing at noon, part of opening ceremonies for the Babe Ruth state tournaments for 9- and 10-year-olds and for 11- and 12-year-olds.

Eight teams from across the state will begin play in each of the two double-elimination tournaments, beginning at 1 p.m. behind Kitty Hawk Elementary School.

Tournament Director Bill Walker said Thursday that while in one sense, the tournaments will be a rehearsal of sorts for 1998, something much more important is at stake.

``We're always looking for ways to polish every area of running a tournament,'' Walker said. ``But what's most important is that these kids have the best possible experience they can possibly have. All of the volunteers and people from throughout the county who have contributed to this do it because they love kids, and because they think that of all the things kids can be involved in, there aren't too many things better than baseball.''

Bumper stickers promoting the 1998 World Series, set for August of next year, have already been printed. They will be available at this weekend's tournament, Walker said.

``We're always looking for ways to kick this off,'' Walker said. ``We've got 1,000 bumper stickers printed up. We've got people coming here from all over eastern North Carolina. Imagine 1,000 bumper stickers all over this half of the state. This will help get people smokin' about the World Series.''

Teams from West Chatham, Garner, Wilmington, Wayne County, Winterville, Pamlico County, the Dare County All-Stars and The Outer Banks All-Stars will play in the 9-10 tournament.

In the 11-12 bracket, West Chatham, Garner, Winter Park, Wayne County, Southern Pitt, New Bern, Cashie and the Outer Banks All-Stars will compete.

The host Outer Banks All-Stars begin their quest for the 9- and 10-year-old state title against Pamlico County tonight at 7. The Dare County All-Stars take on Wilmington at 3 p.m. today.

In the 11- and 12-year-old tournament, the Outer Banks All-Stars face New Bern at 7 p.m.

Daily tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for students. Children under 6 are admitted free. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

OPENING DAY GAMES

The North Carolina Babe Ruth Baseball state tournament for the

Bambino League begins today with opening ceremonies at noon. Games

begin at 1 p.m.

Opening Day games for the 9- and 10-year-old state tournament:

1 p.m. Garner vs. West Chatham

3 p.m. Wilmington vs. Dare County All-Stars

5 p.m. Wayne County vs. Winterville

7 p.m. Pamlico County vs. Outer Banks All-Stars

Opening Day games for the 11- and 12-year-old state tournament: