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JAMESTOWN – A call for community members to participate in the Babe Ruth World Series opening ceremony and throughout the tournament is under way in Jamestown.
After hosting the first Babe Ruth World Series in 1980, Jamestown was selected to host the event’s 40th anniversary which is set to take place on August 14 through the 21.
The event has been played at Jamestown numerous times over the years, and this year the 13-year-old age bracket will play at Diethrick Park.
“It’s a tremendous honor for this community and a tremendous opportunity to get involved,” said Kimberly Ecklund, the event’s Public Relations Chair.
In order to put on the event, Ecklund says that community involvement is a necessity. This starts with the opening parade on August 13.
“We’re looking for participants who want to participate in this parade down third street on a Friday night for the first time ever. This is usually Saturday morning (but) we decided to move it to Friday night for a little bit more community engagement,” said Ecklund.
They are also looking for individuals and groups to perform an acapella version of the National Anthem and for groups to present the American Flag at each game.
“If you feel confident enough to sing that song, which is one of the hardest to sing, we’ll take you,” said Ecklund.
Additionally, local ministers are needed to recite an invocation at the start of each game.
In years past, Jamestown families have served as host families for fans and teams travelling for the tournament. While teams will be staying in hotels this year, host family ambassadors will take on the role of showing up to the games to cheer and support the teams in any way.
The tournament itself will start out with 10 teams who are guaranteed to play in at least 4 games. The Babe Ruth World Series Champion will be crowned at the closing ceremonies on the 21st after the title game.
The town of Jamestown will be inducted into the Babe Ruth World Series Hall of Fame during that ceremony.
Visit the event’s website or email Ecklund at jamestownbrws@yahoo.com to get involved.
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