It's time to play ball as Ephrata becomes center of youth baseball universe

First game starts Saturday, 11 a.m.

EPHRATA - All the buildup, all the wait, all the preparation is

almost over.

Now the 2011 Babe Ruth World Series is about to take center

stage in what will the smallest community to ever stage the event -

Ephrata and Johnson O'Brien Stadium.

EPHRATA - All the buildup, all the wait, all the preparation is almost over.

Now the 2011 Babe Ruth World Series is about to take center stage in what will the smallest community to ever stage the event - Ephrata and Johnson O'Brien Stadium.

With the help of many including Washington State University grounds keeper Zach Stevens and Brewster's Tim Taylor and his crew, Columbia Basin RiverDogs manager and coach Randy Boruff is ready to go as his team prepares to play cordial if not competitively cooperative host amongst the ten participants.

The tournament runs from Saturday - Aug. 13.

"No questions it has been worth it," Boruff said. "As a director and removing my hat as a coach, I am hoping that the area for the Columbia Basin turns out for it. If we can average 2,000 a day at the ballpark we would satisfied it would be a packed house."

The capacity of the revamped stadium, using portable football and soccer field bleachers, can reach 2,500 fans according to Boruff.

A new surface has been lain and the painting of the field combines with new screening and caps to make for just some of the $130,000 undertaking by the team.

"It will be probably one of the nicest baseball field in the country dressed up as it is," Boruff said.

The RiverDogs paid $45,000 to the Babe Ruth organization to pay for the other nine teams' travel.

Players from the nine teams will stay with host families while the coaches will be put up in local hotels.

"That's what separates Babe Ruth from all the rest of them." Boruff said. "The players stay with these families and the coaches are put up in hotel rooms two for each team along with the umpires."

The RiverDogs squad finished the season strong, winning 22 out of its last 27 games to wrap up a 38-20 summer slate.

Some may wonder if its fair for a host team to get an automatic bid, but the RiverDogs' current run of good play indicates that the squad could be considered one of the favorites.

"I think we did it right and there wasn't a sense of urgency about winning early," Boruff said. "But still won 22 out of the last 27 and we have bonded as a unit and our pitching is doing a wonderful job. Last year we won 38 games and lost seven and were second in the regional at the home for Portland baseball, who took second place at the World Series. Are we competitive? Yes. We would have been in the mix if we had not been the hosts."

Davis Engel is scheduled to start on the mound for the RiverDogs against Ottumwa (Iowa) with game time set for 8 p.m.

BABE RUTH and the COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD ONLINE COVERAGE

The Herald will webcast all World Series games on a pay-per-vew basis, beginning with the first game on Saturday.

To watch an individual game will cost $5.99 or one could take advantage of a 25-game package worth $24.99. Games not be provided on demand.

Just visit columbiabasinherald.com or on your mobile devices visit CBHtv.mobi for more details.

Broadcast coverage of the tournament is available for free to iFiber television customers on channel one.

Games will be rebroadcast each night at midnight on iFiber.

DVD of games will be made available at Columbiabasinherald.com for a price yet to be determined.

For more information contact Randy Boruff at 509-750-4610.