At Babe Ruth League’s 2022 Board of Directors Meeting, a motion was passed to restructure the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-15 Division as the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-16 Division.  This significant change will begin with the 2024 season.  It will be reflected in the 2024 Babe Ruth League, Inc. Baseball Rules & Regulations & Official Playing Rules.

As you know, our 13-15 Division is the long-standing catalyst of the Babe Ruth League brand.  The restructuring of this Division is our response to the collective suggestions that have been voiced by our local league volunteers, many of whom played in Babe Ruth League as teenagers!  We are happy to report that there is a wide consensus for a Babe Ruth Baseball 13-16 Division, affirmed by the 2022 survey sent to you, as League President, as well as to our certified Commissioners.

In brief, the change will be reflected as stated below:

Beginning with the 2024 season, the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-15 Division will become the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-16 Division.  The official tournament trail for the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-16 Division and the Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18 Division (beginning with the 2024 season) will be as follows:

13-year-olds tournaments (District, State, Regional, and World Series)

14-year-olds tournaments (District, State, Regional, and World Series)

13–16-year-olds tournaments (District, State, Regional, and World Series)

16–18-year-olds tournaments (District, State, Regional, and World Series)

Rule 0.02

13-16 – Any player born on or after May 1, 2007, and prior to May 1, 2011, will be eligible for Babe Ruth Baseball 13-16 Division competition – Season of 2024.

16-18 - Any player born on or after January 1, 2005, and prior to May 1, 2007, will be eligible for Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18 Division competition – Season of 2024.

As we implement this change at the start of the 2024 Season, we will proceed as follows:

We will eliminate the need for the 15-year-old swing player.

Any player eligible to participate in high school athletics will be eligible to participate in the Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18 Division.

These changes will not affect the Cal Ripken Division.

Under this restructuring, and beginning in 2024, the Babe Ruth 13-16 leagues will have the autonomy to better serve the youth in their respective communities.  Of course, restructuring will affect several areas of the current Babe Ruth League, Inc. Baseball Rules & Regulations & Official Playing Rules.