Task force progressing

MOSES LAKE - The 2009 Babe Ruth World Series task force assembled again Wednesday night to discuss the progression of planning for the 16-18 2009 Babe Ruth World Series which will be held this August in Moses Lake Aug. 14 to Aug. 22.

Tournament Co-Director and Task Force Chairman Randy Boruff led the meeting as members of the task force discussed sponsorship, housing and marketing for the 2009 tournament.

Boruff said he has six major sponsors signed on to help with the event.

"Right now we have six major sponsors," he said. "We are only three or four away."

Major sponsorships cost $7,500 and will include promotional materials, signage and ads around the Larson Playfield ballpark. In addition to sponsorship, major sponsors will be allowed to throw out the first pitch at one of the tournament games.

Major sponsors committed to the event include Starbucks Coffee, Washington Trust and the Lauzier Foundation.

Boruff said the primary concerns of the task force is to secure major sponsorship for the event and housing for the participants.

The task force needs at least $85,000 dollars to run the 2009 tournament but Boruff would like as much as $100,000 to make the 2009 tournament a success, Boruff said.

"We need $85,000 cash to do the world series," he said. "My goal is, before the first pitch is thrown, is that we have this thing paid for."

Moses Lake hosted the 2000 U16 Babe Ruth World Series and Boruff said he wants to make to 2009 event more successful.

"It's up to us as a task force to make this as big as possible," he said.

While Boruff said he has six major sponsors committed, there is availability for as many as 13 major sponsorships.

Members of the task force are actively seeking sponsorship opportunities and Boruff said participant housing is important.

"The most important thing is to have $100,000 in the bank," he said. "Second to that is housing."

The task force needs 81 homes to house participants.

Housing Co-Director Roger Martinez said they are a third of the way toward securing the required homes for participants.

"We need 81 homes," he said. "We are going through the lists and calling people."

Roger Martinez and his wife, Eileen, are the housing directors for the tournament.

To volunteer to become a host family for participants contact Eileen and Roger Martinez at (509) 765-1052.