History of the Babe Ruth Program

Over a half century ago, a group of men dedicated to the youth of America met in a suburb of Trenton, New Jersey and formed what became the very first Babe Ruth League. Babe Ruth Baseball caught on nationally, then internationally. It now ranks as the premier amateur baseball and softball program in the world.

Babe Ruth League, Inc. recognizes Marius E. Bonacci as the Founding Father of the program, along with the contribution of the following nine men, Samuel Welch, Ferdinand J. Wagner, Ed Jones, Ted Jasek, Cliff Fovour, Boots Snyder, William Dombrowski, Maskill Paxson and Willard Carson, Jr.

These ten men formed the Hamilton Township Little Bigger Baseball League, the forerunner of Babe Ruth Baseball. On May 14, 1951, the first ever Little Bigger League game was played between the Homedell Civic Association and the White Horse Fire Company at Switllik Park.

From that game on, Babe Ruth League, Inc. grew from its first 10-team league in Hamilton Township, New Jersey to its present combined size of over 986,000 players on some 52,000 teams in more than 8,600 leagues and over 1.9 million volunteers.

The Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball Program, using regulation competitive baseball and softball rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. In all aspects, Babe Ruth League, Inc. is committed to providing our participants the very best educational, sports experience possible. It is our fundamental belief that every child with a desire to play baseball or softball be afforded that opportunity.

Our Staff

Ed Walls
Director of Baseball

Ed is the President of Black Watch Investments, Inc. and prior to starting and developing his own businesses, Ed worked over 20 years at the executive level for top industry leaders both domestically & internationally with a focus on acquisitions, turnarounds and general management. He is passionate about his faith, family, sports and business and how they all interact and synergize for the development of individuals and their families.

As a collegiate athlete he played both Football & Baseball for Division I Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. His accomplishments at APSU include Associated Press All-American Linebacker, All OVC (Ohio Valley Conference) Linebacker, National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Member, Austin Peay State University Athletic Hall of Fame Member, Runner-up Defensive Player of the Year, Team Captain, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Earl Walton Leadership Award and starting Pitcher for the Southern Division Baseball Champions.

Ed received his BBA in Business Administration from APSU. Ed had opportunities professionally in baseball and football and after choosing football Ed was invited to camp with the New York Giants where he retired from football after experiencing a career ending knee injury.

Additionally he is a member of the Florida Hospital Foundation Board, the Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees, and Director of Baseball for Winning Ways Sports Management (Altamonte Baseball) and has lived in Florida since 1999 with his wife and 4 children.

 

For more information on our baseball programs please contact the Winning Ways office at (407) 339-9053 or email info@winwaysinc.com.