World Series planning continues to progress

MOSES LAKE — After more than two months off, the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series Task Force assembled Wednesday night to discuss the progression of planning for the August event in Moses Lake.

With the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series less than nine months away, Tournament Co-Director and Task Force Chairman Randy Boruff said tournament preparation is progressing smoothly.

“I am pleased where we are at,” he said. “We have $75,000 in major sponsors.”

The task force has secured 10 major sponsors, each donating $7,500 to support the event.

In addition to major sponsorships, the task force has secured two $5,000 sponsors and eight $1,000 sponsors to help with the event.

In all Boruff said sponsorship is on the right track, having secured approximately $110,000 in corporate sponsorships.

“If we can have $150,000 before we throw the first pitch, we are going to be in very, very good shape,” he said.

Having participated in eight previous Babe Ruth World Series events, Boruff said he wishes to make the 2009 event at Larson Playfield a tournament to remember.

“Out of the eight I have been to only a couple deserved to have another one,” he said.

 In order to host the event, Babe Ruth Baseball requires a $40,000 deposit to help secure transportation for participating teams.

Babe Ruth requires the $40,000 be paid in at the most three installments, the first coming Feb. 15.

While the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series Task Force has secured a number of corporate sponsorships, participant housing is still a primary concern with the tournament approaching.

The task force needs 81 homes to house World Series participants.

Housing Co-Director Eileen Martinez said the task force is in need of volunteers to house tournament participants.

“Out of all the phone calls, we only have eight confirmed,” she said.

Eileen Martinez and her husband, Roger, are the housing directors for the tournament.

Boruff said corporate sponsorship is important, as is participant housing.

“Housing is a priority,” he said.

To volunteer to become a host family for 2009 Babe Ruth World Series participants contact Eileen and Roger Martinez at (509) 765-1052.