Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023

Time: Parade begins at 2pm sharp. Approximate end time for parade and ceremony is 2:40pm.  Skills competition for the Rookie division will begin on Field #3 immediately following the opening ceremony. 

***If your player is participating in the parade, please arrive in the grassy area near the unpaved parking lot by 1:45pm so teams can be organized. ***

Where: STATS Sports Complex – Home of Bear Babe Ruth – 4110 Wrangle Hill Rd, Bear, DE 19701

Plan for the day: Some games are already scheduled for the day. The game/event schedule is as follows:

T-Ball: Field #5

11am - Blue Rocks @ Phillies (Farthest hit skills competition will be built into the game)

12:15pm - Gators @ Yankees (Farthest hit skills competition will be built into the game)

1:45pm - All T-Ball assemble near unpaved parking lot for parade

2:00pm - Parade begins (all teams)

Rookie: Field #1

11am - Dodgers @ Phillies (1hr game)

12:15pm - Phillies @ Tigers (1hr game)

1:45pm - all Rookie assemble near unpaved parking lot for parade

2:00pm - Parade begins (all teams) - Rookie will have a skills competition (fastest feet on each team) on Field #3 immediately following the parade/ceremony (approximately 2:45pm). This competition is open to all Rookie players.

Minors: Field # 3

9am - Orioles @ Cubs

11:15am - Phillies @ Angels

1:45pm - All Minors assemble near unpaved parking lot for parade

2:00pm - Parade begins (all teams)

Majors: Field #4

1:45pm - All Majors assemble near unpaved parking lot for parade

2:00pm - Parade begins (all teams)

3:30pm - 3 team intersquad (all teams players invited) - Parents bring gloves too just in case. ;)

Once the parade and on-field ceremony have concluded, T-Ball and Minors players are free to stay as long as they like. 

Rookie teams will have their skills competition on Field #3 immediately after the ceremony and then are free to stay as long as they like. 

Majors players will report to Field #4 following the parade/ceremony and prepare for a fun 3 team intersquad game expected to last approximately 1.5 hours.

 

Q: Is there a rain date?

A: Not at this time.

*** Should there be inclement weather in the forecast, we will wait as long as reasonable to make a decision. A decision could be made late Friday night or early Saturday morning so please stand by.  Notification will come via league wide email and Facebook. If you aren’t following Bear Babe Ruth on Facebook yet, we suggest doing so prior to Opening Day.***

 

Q: Can I volunteer to help?

A: YES PLEASE! – go right to the signup genius page for the event https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A48A9AC2DA4F94-opening and volunteer for this magnificent event!

 

Q: Who can come?

A: All BBR players, families, and friends. Bring everyone – let’s line the parade route for all these kids and make it really special!

 

Q: What if I cannot attend?

A: It’s ok. Notify your manager if you know in advance that you will not be able to attend so they are not searching for your player for the parade or any other portion of the day.

 

Q: What should my player wear?

A: Full uniform (dress weather appropriate). We do NOT recommend walking in cleats for the parade, but it is your choice. If your Rookie player will be participating in the division’s skill challenge after the parade, we recommend maybe changing back to cleats for that.

 

Q: Where do I park?

A: Grass parking is available all along the parade route fence line. There is also a gravel lot on your right as you head down the main entrance road toward the fields. Our paved back parking lot past Field #1 will also be open. There will be limited parking in the front lot of Wilbur Elementary School.

 

Q: Who will participate in the parade?

A: All players, managers, and coaches from the T-Ball, Rookie, Minors, and Majors divisions along with some other special guests. Parents/guardians are welcome to join in with their children if they like but we’re saving the on-field parade ending for just the teams, special guests, and Board Members please.  ** If you are a registered player for our Seniors or Super Seniors divisions and would like to participate in the parade or as a volunteer, please email Maria at mbrown062108@gmail.com. **

 

Q: Where does the parade begin?

A: The parade will start in and around the grass area next to the unpaved parking lot as you drive down the road to our fields. You can walk/drop off your player there. Please arrive in that area with your player by 1:45pm so we can begin at 2pm.

 

Q: What is the parade route

A: The parade will start in the grass area next to the unpaved parking lot, proceed all long the paved road all the way to the old Snack Shack. Make a left turn onto the gravel path and go past Field #5 (T-Ball). Make a right turn onto the gravel path between Field # 5 (T-Ball) and Field #3 (Minors) and follow that path past the flagpole and around to the double gate entrance into Field #3 (Minors). All teams will file by team into the outfield grass of Field #3 for the opening remarks.

 

Q: Where should I go after the parade?

A: There will be a short ceremony and remarks on Field #3 (Minors). Family and friends are welcome to gather all around that field’s fence line.

 

Q: What happens after the on-field ceremony?

A: There will be plenty to do. There will be fundraiser raffles for our league. There will be two food trucks! There will be a skills competition for the Rookie division and there will be an intersquad game for Majors. Feel free to stay and cheer them all on while enjoying a day at the complex!

 

Q: Will there be food?

A: Yes. We have two food trucks this year – “Fletcher’s Kitchen” and “Zach's Street Grill” are coming. They will be ready to serve at approximately 11:00am.

 

Q: What raffles?

A: We will be raffling some brand-new baseball bats (T-Ball through Majors division sizes) so bring your cash! We can also accept Venmo! You choose what bat you want to enter your ticket for or try for more than 1! There will also be other items such as a basket of cheer, Texas Roadhouse party buckets, and more!  ** There will also be some BBR hats for sale in limited quantities. **

 

Q: What skills competitions?

A: T-Ball and Rookie (machine pitch) will be having a skills competition with the top finishers winning a small prize. T-Ball's furthest hit will be built into their games and Rookie's Fastest Feet event will be on Field #3 at approximately 2:45pm.

 

We have put great effort into making this a fantastic day for everyone. Please come out and make this a special day for our league and our players. We’ll see you at the fields!