Warren picks up state Babe Ruth tournament

WARREN — Warren’s Burbank Park will be the site of the 2010 Ohio Cal Ripken League state championship tournament next July.

The Warren Athletic Club, a chartered member of Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken League Baseball, will serve as host for the tournament.

The 2010 tournament will consist of District Championship teams from throughout Ohio competing in the 9 and 10-year-old Minor League divisions and the 11 and 12-year-old Major League divisions. The tournament will be a double elimination and will begin on Friday, July 9, with the championship games scheduled for July 11.

Winners will advance to the Ohio Valley Regional tournaments scheduled to begin in Louisville, Ky.; Mt. Sterling, Ky.; Logansport, Ind.; Brandywine, Mich.; Vincennes, Ind., and Lexington, Ky.

Regional champions in the 10, 11 and 12-year-old divisions will advance to the 2010 Cal Ripken World Series.

“We’re very excited to have Warren hosting this tournament,” said David Harries, State Commissioner for the Ohio Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken League Baseball. “The numerous and extensive improvements and upgrades to Warren’s Burbank Park certainly played a large role in securing this tournament for the City of Warren, the Warren Athletic Club and Trumbull County.”

The Warren Athletic Club consists of teams and players residing in Trumbull County. The organization’s affiliation with Cal Ripken Baseball provides membership for youths ages 4-12 years-old and offers divisions for T-Ball ages 4-6; Rookie League for ages 7-8; Minor League ages 9-10; and Major League ages 11-12.

Babe Ruth Baseball offers several programs and divisions for youths ages 13-18 who all play on a regulation diamond.