Introduction

Marlboro Babe Ruth provides 3 seasons of baseball activities for players age 13 to 19.  We operate two full size baseball fields located on Martin and Arnold Streets near the large black "Witches Hat" water tower in the French Hill section of town.  There is a Spring season which runs from the mid April until mid June, a Summer Program with teams that compete in the Metro-west Sr. Babe Ruth League, Lou Tompkins League and the Minuteman League from mid June through late July, and a Fall Program which plays September-October.

In the Spring, Marlboro participates in the 495 Babe Ruth League (http://www.495baberuth.org/) along with teams from Ashland, Hudson, Northboro, Southboro and Westboro.  There are 2 divisions in Babe Ruth, the Jr. Babe Ruth division (13 & 14 year olds) and Sr. Babe Ruth division (15, 16 and 17 year olds).  17 year olds can play as long as they are not permanently on a varsity roster.

Marlboro Babe Ruth Baseball has a mandatory balanced playing time rule, so ALL players are in the action every game.  We also utilize some common sense rules to protect the arms of pitchers.   Babe Ruth Managers and Coaches will be required to take and pass a training course on safety, rules, and managing.  Please consider volunteering to Coach or Manage your child's Babe Ruth Team.   It is an experience you share with your child and will contribute positively to your relationship with him/her.

The Marlboro Babe Ruth Board is always looking for additional volunteers; please contact us if you are interested.

In an effort to keep fees as low as possible, all parents are required to help by staffing the Stevens Park concession stand occasionally during the season.

A Note on Dual Participation

We have players every year that also play in other leagues.  We do not conflict with most Middle or High School games, although players may occasionally be late if an away MS or HS game ends late.  Players participating in AAU are welcome to play but you should be aware that there may be some weekend conflicts.  The Babe Ruth Board asks that parents coordinate their schedules with the managers and try to balance the participation in fairness to both programs.  Please communicate your conflicts or know absences ahead of time so Managers can "borrow" players from other teams with our "call-up" solution so there are no forfeits.

Practices for Prep League and Junior Babe Ruth League

Practices will start when the City allows us to use the fields.  This is largely dependent on the weather.  Fields are closed until the City opens the fields.  Parents will be notified by Managers when practices start.  Details will be posted on the 495 League website.  (http://www.495baberuth.org/)

Babe Ruth Season

Games usually start the Monday following April vacation and play-offs usually end by the second weekend in June.  Home games are played at Stevens Upper and Stevens Lower Fields in Marlboro.  Away games are played on fields in the opponents town.  Weekday games on Upper Stevens Field start at 5:45 pm and at 6:30 pm on Stevens Lower Field since we have BRAND NEW lights on that field.  We make every effort to schedule weekday games on days the High School and Middle Schools do not play.   Saturday game start times vary from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Sundays are reserved for practices and/or make-up games that were canceled due to weather during the week.  The season will have approximately 14-16 games.

Divisions: 

Jr. Babe Ruth - Ages 13-14 
The Jr. Babe League players are introduced to baseball on the full sized regulation baseball field.  Emphasis is placed on getting accustomed to the larger field as well as to new concepts the players must learn such as pitching from the stretch, understanding pitching balk rules, taking leads, stealing bases at any time,  positioning and cut-offs.  Players in Marlboro are selected to teams with care taken to create equally competitive teams.  

Sr.  Babe Ruth League - Ages 15 , 16 , and 17
Sr. Babe Ruth League players are experienced on the regulation baseball field.  Emphasis is placed on further developing basic playing skills as well as refining individual skills and game strategy.  Pitching development continues and includes more awareness of type of pitch, location, ball & strike count, holding base runners and balk rules.  Hitting development includes more emphasis on bunting and the hit-and-run.  Fielding skills further emphasize the importance of positioning, proper coverage and back up as well as correct cut-offs. Players in Marlboro are selected to teams with care taken to create equally competitive teams.   

Summer Program, Lou Tompkins

Marlboro participates in the Metro-West Sr, Babe Ruth League, Lou Tompkins All Star Baseball League (http://www.ltabaseball.com/), and the Minuteman Summer League programs during the summer.  Teams are selected after several tryouts held during the month of May.  Please monitor our website for updates and  CLICK HERE for information regarding summer ball.

Fall League

Marlboro Babe Ruth runs a very successful Fall League that includes teams from many local towns.  This league has 2 divisions, Babe Ruth Prep (age 12 only) and Jr. Babe Ruth (ages 13 – 16).  The BR Prep Division is designed to introduce 12 year olds moving up from Youth Baseball to the regulation size baseball field and it’s accompanying playing rules.  The J. Babe Ruth Division is designed to help players develop skills they did not master during the past season or to work on things they hope to utilize in the upcoming spring season.  Early on in the season, there may be some practices scheduled during weeknights.  Games are played on Saturdays and Sundays only during September and October.  

Registrations for the 2017 Spring Season is NOW OPEN