Two for one World Series special

ALACHUA – For the past four years, Alachua has hosted the Babe Ruth Softball World Series, and that will not change for next year. However, one thing will be different for the athletes coming to town.

Not only will the city play host to the softball world series, but it will also see baseball players from around the country come to participate in their own tournament. They are called the Cal Ripken Major 60 World Series and the Babe Ruth Softball World Series, and they will both be in town at the same time, for the first time.

“The tournaments are set to take place at the beginning of August 2014, but we are still in the planning stage,” said Hal Brady, recreation director for the City of Alachua.

“We’ve had the softball tournament for the past few years, but the last time we got the guys was in 1992,” Brady said. “The guys program really wanted the opportunity to host, so I’m glad we got it.”

The host teams will be the Santa Fe baseball and softball programs, with the rest of the field filling in from around the country. The boys have divisions ranging from 4-year-olds to 18-year-olds, while the girls contest will be for ages 12 and under.

The Santa Fe softball team hosted the 2010, 2012 and 2013 tournaments.

About 24 teams are projected to participate in the girls’ softball tournament, and about 10 teams will show up for the boys’ baseball tournament, Brady said.

The boys will arrive in town on Aug. 5, and the girls will come a day later.

Each team in Florida uses the same procedures as other states, with the teams competing in districts to move on to represent a state. The state champions from the Southeast region will play against each other.  

The Babe Ruth World Series League has always been a huge reason why Alachua is a host each year, and continues to be a factor in getting both tournaments, he said. It costs around $45,000 for each tournament as a host, but the league foots the bill for bringing in the teams and putting them in area hotels.

There are still regular meetings taking place to plan the twin tournaments. There was a meeting Dec. 2 for the committee to make decisions regarding all aspects, but one thing is certain, Brady said. Alachua is excited.

“Cost is one challenge to get around,” he said. “And it will be interesting to figure out, but it also allows the city to bring in much-needed tourism business, which is just great.”

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Email: ahart@

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