After a year of open deliberations the Arlington Youth Baseball Work Group decided that an immediate merger, which would result in the elimination of one of the youth baseball leagues, would be disruptive and counterproductive to the goals they were trying to advance. While the committee also considered a hybrid proposal that retained both leagues and allowed all players in their age group to play together, there was not a sufficient mandate to proceed. Consequently, based on a 12-2 vote, the Arlington Youth Baseball Work Group agreed to the following: To support the creation of the Arlington Youth Baseball Authority that will provide a path for a gradual merging of the two organizations.

The proposal for creation of the Arlington Youth Baseball Authority (AYBA) was presented to the Sports Commission on April 29 by RD Folsom, chair of the workgroup. Adam Balutis, president of Arlington Little League, stated that Arlington Little League was not in support of the proposal. However, he affirmed that the Little League would not stand in the way of the group’s formation and would work with it in the future. Cal Ripkin/Babe Ruth League supports the proposal according to its President Charlie Binns.

On May 27 the Arlington Youth Baseball Work Group presented its proposal to the Sports Commission. The Commission unanimously supported the proposal of the baseball workgroup to form the Arlington Youth Baseball Authority.

Update on Possible Consolidation of Leagues

Over the last few years, Arlington County's Sports Commission and park and recreation staff have been working with the leadership of Arlington Little League and Arlington Babe Ruth to try and develop a proposal to unify their leagues so that there would be just one baseball league for players up to 12 years of age. In the mid 1990's, the two organizations successfully merged into one league (Arlington Senior Babe Ruth) for the older kids, ages 13-15.

What was the charge for the baseball working group?

To bring the joint leadership of the stakeholders, Sports Commission and County staff together to develop a proposal that will result in the unification of youth baseball for players up to 12 years of age into a single organization for the Spring of 2010. This is similar to what happened in the mid 1990’s when the two organizations successfully merged into one league (Arlington Senior Babe Ruth) for the older kids, ages 13-15.

Specific tasks to include:

• Evaluate the current baseball organizations
• Identify "sticking points"
• Develop key principles for what the league should strive for
• Garner community feedback
• Recommend steps for implementation for Spring 2010

How many kids are playing in each organization?

For the Spring 2009 season Little League had approximately 625 players and Babe Ruth had approximately 1,300 players.

What are the benefits of having one baseball league for younger kids?

• Eliminates confusion regarding two competing programs. One league will end competition for players between leagues and confusion by parents regarding which program their kids should be enrolled in.
• Eliminates unhealthy competition between organizations, including competition for players and finances. One league will combine the best features of both leagues to provide a fair selection process and wider choices of teams.
• Gives more kids the opportunity to compete with and against each other within the same league.
• When all Arlington youth who are U-12 play together in one league it fosters community spirit and improves the experience for the 2,000 youth who are involved. After age 12, these athletes will continue to participate in a united league.
• Experience with combining the older player's leagues has lead to the fair selection of teams with competition based on ability.
• One league will reduce volunteer duplication of effort and resources, and improve the ability to raise private funds. Private business sources will no longer have the excuse that they cannot choose between two competing youth programs for scarce dollars. An enhanced fundraising program fostered by a strong combined league can also lead to improved fields and facilities, similar to the Vienna Baseball Foundation.
• A combined league should lead to a stronger voice for improving the overall baseball experience, e.g. coach selection and training, consistency of coach background checking rules.
• The new league will institute rules that mirror the highly successful and fair process enjoyed by the existing Arlington Senior Babe Ruth( 13-18 year) program. The league should be governed by an active Board of Directors that ensures that league rules are fair, enforced and geared to providing a superior baseball experience for all enrollees. Rules affecting team selection should be transparent.
• A combined league—speaking with one voice—will enhance the ability of the league to deal more effectively with County recreation officials while greatly improving the County’s ability to manage its responsibilities with respect to field coordination, maintenance, funding and other functions they are required to perform.
• A combined league can provide a more competitive environment for all levels of players with more teams and resources. Post-regular season all-star teams should be better equipped to compete in tournaments at all levels of ability because of an enlarged player base and enhanced support system.
• A combined league may choose to affiliate with a national organization if it is determined that such affiliation is in the overall best interests of the community and the kids, but is not forced to.

How will this help us better manage our limited field spaces?

By consolidating the leagues we will be able to better coordinate the fields under a unified strategy, which will allow for more efficient and effective utilization of field space.

What is the timeline for consolidation?

The consolidation of the two organizations remains a departmental priority with the goal of having a consolidated league for the spring 2010 season.

Who is developing the proposal to address the consolidation of the leagues?

A working group composed of 16 people with experience in Arlington youth baseball and other sports was formed in May 2009 in consultation with the Sports Commission and PRCR staff. The leadership of Little League and Babe Ruth provided feedback regarding the selection of some of the working group members. Not all invited to the table were able to join it.

The working group members are: Dave Bell, Greg Bramham, Terry Eby, Paul Ferguson, RD Folsom, Allan Glascock, Bart Gray, Tom Lubnow, Larry McBride, Victor McMahon, Art Saenz, Alan Schneider, Colin Uckert, Phil Vitale, Chris Valtin and Doug Wiley.

The working group met several times during the summer and fall to discuss and resolve issues related to the formation of one baseball league that would allow all 12 and under Arlington youth to play together.

How is the community engaged in the process?

On September 19, a community forum was held at Wakefield High School. There were approximately 40 people in attendance at this forum and 25 individuals chose to address the group. For those who could not attend this forum, a web-based survey was developed. Ninety-eight respondents have completed the survey.

What issues have the working group identified?

• A fair team selection process at the competitive age levels (9-12).
• Improving sportsmanship.
• Improving safety.
• Whether, in some cases, larger fields should be permitted for 11-12 year olds.
• Assuring post-season tournament opportunities for 9-12 year olds.
• Assuring a strong administration/board of directors for the league.
• Whether the league should affiliate with a national organization.

What issues have Arlington Little League and Arlington Babe Ruth identified?

• 50/70 field options/advantages/disadvantages. The workgroup feels more discussion is needed on how a 50/70 division might fit into Arlington youth baseball. Currently both baseball groups do have teams playing 50/70 baseball (Little League as a part of a collaborative effort with an independent travel organization and Babe Ruth as a part of their regular house program and travel teams). There are some county fields that are currently being used as 50/70 fields. Funding may or may not be needed, depending on what modifications would be required.
• Ability level of the teams.
• Transition to a new league: how to do it, what a new board should look like.
• Advantages to affiliation with their respective national organizations and their view of a non-affiliated league.
• Next steps for community feedback.

At this point, what consensus has Arlington Little League and Arlington Babe Ruth identified?

• Both agree that one league makes the most sense for Arlington County.
• Both agree to keep their parents/players informed and that a community feedback process is in place.
• No decisions have been made at this time regarding membership to a national organization.

Does PRCR supply funds to the leagues?

Yes. Currently PRCR contributes about $8,000 to the existing baseball organizations. In addition to this direct cash support, the County incurs costs for scheduling, monitoring and maintaining fields.

Does the County expect to save money with the consolidation?

No.

Do we anticipate the leagues increasing fees after the merger? Decreasing or maintaining?

The leagues set their own fees. League fees are part of the discussion. Currently, Arlington baseball leagues have some of the lowest fees in the area.

What is the County’s preference?

Neither PRCR nor the Sports Commission has any predisposition towards Little League or Babe Ruth as the ultimate resolution. Belonging to a single or any national organization is not necessarily a pre-requisite to offering a successful program.

How do the two leagues compare?

Both leagues have strong management and coaching and good support from the national leagues.  Here are links to Arlington Little League and Little League, and Arlington Babe Ruth and Babe Ruth League.

Other County’s, such as Fairfax, weren’t successful in consolidating their leagues. Why do we anticipate success when others were not able to make it happen?

First, Arlington County was successful in consolidating its baseball leagues for older kids, so we assume using the same model with younger kids will find similar success. Fairfax County is significantly larger than Arlington, in terms of players, fields and geographic area. Its size may have made it not conducive to having one baseball organization.

Background

Prior to the mid 1980s, there was one baseball program in Arlington and it was administered by Arlington County staff. Around 1985, a citizen who was involved with the Arlington County baseball program formed a new league, Arlington Babe Ruth baseball. For one season of play, both the Arlington County program and the Arlington Babe Ruth program were in operation. The following season some of the Babe Ruth coaches formed Arlington Little League. At that point, Arlington County disband the County baseball program and  the two organizations offered youth baseball.