The Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth World Series Inc. (GLBR)  is sponsoring/hosting this year’s 2010 Babe Ruth World Series Tournament (14 year olds league), which will be held August 21-28 at Fireman’s Field in Purcellville. Although the Babe Ruth League, Inc. is not the major leagues, with more than one million participants worldwide, it is truly a BIG LEAGUE. This program is driven by its purpose and mission to teach beyond the field of play and is known for developing positive life skills among its participants.

 
As part of being the hosting hometown, housing must be provided by local area families for these young players. The Host Family Program is one of the most positive aspects of the World Series. The tasks are few and the rewards are many. Special friendships are forged, many that last a lifetime. The opportunity to serve as a host family for World Series players only comes around once every three years. The Babe Ruth policy dictates that all World Series players must stay with host families, which is a condition for hosting this prestigious event. Approximately 130 boys need to be placed in our local homes. Currently, housing has been secured for only half of the players coming to Loudoun to participate in the tournament. The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services is also assisting to help recruit host families for players.
 
  As a host family, you provide an invaluable service for these young players.  It is important that the boys have a safe home to sleep in and the support of a host family to make their stay here a memorable one. The players’ length of stay will be determined by how their particular team advances in the tournament. Host families are expected to provide kindness and caring in addition to a bed, meals, transportation to and from tournament games and functions, and assistance with care and cleaning of uniforms for at least two players. Participating families receive personal support from a Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth Board member, as well as family passes for the tournament, parking passes, and banquet tickets.

  The Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth (GLBR) League has been serving the youth of Loudoun County, Virginia, since 1956.  Over the years, the Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth League has hosted numerous District, State, Regional, and World Series tournaments and was the first league to be inducted into the Babe Ruth League South East Region Hall of Fame in October 2009. In 1997, the League raised about half a million dollars to renovate Fireman’s Field in Purcellville in preparation for hosting the 1998 16-Year-olds World Series.  World Series participants in 2001 (16-18s), 2004 (16s), and 2007 (13s) have taken away many fond memories from this “Field of Dreams” in northern Virginia’s Loudoun Valley.  In 2010, the 14-Year-olds will come to Purcellville as Greater Loudoun BRL hosts its fifth World Series.
 
  In addition, the Babe Ruth World Series draws volunteers, officials, families, team followers, fans, collegiate and professional scouts from all over the country. The tournament schedules are established to promote the areas in which the players and parents will be staying. Usually, each team plays a minimum of games over a set period. Each team has scheduled days off during which the participants, parents and team followers can take advantage of the local flavor and attractions within the hosting and surrounding areas. Hotels are filled with visitors. The local shopping malls, outlets and stores are very busy with “Babe Ruth” tourists. Area restaurants and fast food establishments are filled to capacity. And, sometimes these ‘tourists” return to your area again and again.

 
  By being a hosting family for the Babe Ruth World Series, you are not only helping to bring our community together, but assisting to instill a special sense of pride in our youth. If you wish to be a part of this prestigious event by hosting players from one of the eight regional teams for the week of the tournament please contact Joe Robillard at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 703-282-7410. Online registration for host families is available at http://www.glbr.org

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