Moses Lake to host 2009 world series

Grant County to host event for first time since 2000

MOSES LAKE - The Babe Ruth World Series is coming back to Moses Lake in 2009.

After a unanimous vote, the Moses Lake City Council approved a motion to host the annual event next summer.

Columbia Basin River Dogs manager Randy Boruff spoke to the Babe Ruth League Monday before addressing the city council.

"(The Babe Ruth League) called yesterday and asked if we were interested in hosting the 2009 16-18 Babe Ruth World Series," he said. "I assume with the talks I've had, everyone is on board."

Boruff was right.

Councilman Richard Peare made the motion for approval and Councilman Bill Ecret seconded the motion. Councilman Jim Liebrecht was absent from Tuesday night's vote.

The City of Moses Lake and Grant County hosted the 2000 16-year-old Babe Ruth World Series and Boruff is aware of the work and dedication hosting this event requires.

"It is a major undertaking," Boruff said. "We have to write a $40,000 check to Babe Ruth. There is probably another $80,000 in additional expenses. Without the cooperation of the City of Moses Lake it would be very difficult to pull this off."

In order to host the Babe Ruth World Series, the Babe Ruth League requires host families for each of the participating players be provided, transportation to and from Moses Lake and volunteer support, said Babe Ruth League Vice-President Robert Faherty said in an email to Boruff.

"It is a feather in our hat," Boruff said of hosting the event. "We had a very successful 2000 world series."

The eight-day event would be held at Larson Playfield Aug. 7 to Aug. 15 2009.

Boruff said the River Dogs and Grant County have a solid relationship with the Babe Ruth League.

"We have a good relationship with Robert Faherty," Boruff said. "It is an honor to have the call. It is short notice. We only have 11 months to prepare."

Hosting the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series would have a positive economic impact on the Grant County community, Boruff said.

"We have the nucleus in Moses Lake and Grant County who would step up," he said. I told Robert Faherty I felt the economic climate in Grant County is as high as it has been ever (and) the field is in excellent shape."

Boruff helped coordinate the 2000 Babe Ruth World Series in Moses Lake and feels this is a better opportunity for the community.

"I was part of the staff that hosted the world series in 2000," he said. "I think (2009) will be a bigger economic impact than it was (in 2000)."

Because Grant County and Moses Lake would host the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series, Boruff's River Dogs would receive and automatic birth into the tournament.

"One of the things that needs to be is that the River Dog baseball team needs to be very competitive," Boruff said. "We missed going to the regionals by one inning.I felt we would be very, very competitive and make it to the final days of the tournament."

To help make the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series in Moses Lake a success, Boruff said the tournament would need eight corporate sponsors for the eight-day event.

"Most of the money is going to be raised by corporate sponsorship," Boruff said. "(We) need eight major sponsors. You have eight days of baseball playing and each day is sponsored by one major sponsor."

Boruff is excited about Moses Lake's opportunity to host the world series.

"I think all of the stars are kind of lined up," Boruff said.