2004
Babe Ruth
14-Year Old Baseball
World Series Recap!
The 2004 Babe Ruth 14-Year Old Baseball World Series was a huge success. Oahu, Hawaii, was a great team that truly deserved to win the World Series but several other teams were also outstanding. Harris Township, Indiana, and Nash County, North Carolina, were also outstanding teams.
The Wilson County Pirates also did a great job. They lost one run games to Tallahassee, Florida, and to Harris Township, Indiana. Base running mistakes in the Florida game cost them the game and in the Harris Township game, they led the 3-1 going into the bottom of the sixth to the eventual World Series runner-ups. Aaron Dew won the World Series Batting Title and Christopher Lamm made the All-Tournament team. Wilson County should be very proud of the effort of these 15 players and coaches.
From the time the teams arrived at the Wilson Moose Lodge, things began to fall in place. The Moose Lodge members did a great job in preparing the food and drinks for the players. Many thanks goes to the drivers that brought the teams from Raleigh-Durham Airport. Also, many thanks to Capital Ford of Raleigh for their help in donating the vans.
The World Series Banquet at Bill’s Civic Center was also great. Bobby Richardson put on a show that will never be forgotten.
Bobby is welcome anytime in Wilson County. Bill Ellis and his staff fed everyone in less than 30 minutes. The food was great along with the entertainment provided by the “Team Ambassadors”. Jean Griffin and her daughters once again had the young ladies ready to go.
Fleming Stadium was in great shape also. The City of Wilson Parks & Recreation Department did a wonderful job. Many thanks to Alan Lucas for working so hard day after day at the stadium. Special thanks also to the Baseball Museum for allowing the players, coaches, and Babe Ruth personnel to get into the museum free of charge.
The grounds crew…..WOW! They were great! Kenny Thorne, Al Parrish, Mac Moore, Randy Waddell, James Burrell, Jeff Lucas, and so many more worked so many hours to make sure everything was perfect!
Sandra Draughan did a great job as the concession stand manager. Sandra kept everyone on their toes and kept the supplies well stocked. I will never forget the site of the E.C.Y.A.A. volunteers working so hard on Sunday night and laughing the whole time. The lines were backed up six deep at each window and the volunteers kept working hard!
Many thanks to Jimmy Pridgen for his contribution in the press box. Sonny Groom, a 2003 12U Softball World Series Task Force Member, had to withdraw as a 2004 Task Force Member at the last minute so Jimmy had to step in. Jimmy did a great job! Angie Parrish and the rest of the volunteers also did a great job in keeping the official scorebook along with keeping the scoreboard operating. Also, WZAX 99.7 announcers Bob Maloney and Angel Howard did a fabulous job in announcing the games.
B.J. Whitley, wife of E.N.C. Babe Ruth State Softball Commissioner Jesse Whitley, did a great job in operating the souvenir stand. She is the major reason we have so few items leftover after the World Series. B.J. works hard and really cares about Babe Ruth Leagues, Inc. players in general. She is a sweet heart!
The communities did a great job in making they had enough volunteers to work their stations. While some had more help than others, everyone pitched in help out. It was worth the price of admission just to see Morris Jones and Andy Davis pushed the drink carts around the stadium.
Our task force was small but effective. Leonard Hammer . the World Series Director, and Dick Roy, World Series Task Force Member, did a great job. Dick brought along his “boss”, Mrs. Pat. She is a super lady. Leonard and Dick will be back in Wilson in the near future.
I would also like to thank Joy Boyette and Cathy Delarosa for their help in the offices after Staci quit. They did a super job. They worked long hours and never quit smiling.
It was good to see Ron Tellefsen, Debra Horn, Steve Tellefsen, and Joe Smiecocki, of Babe Ruth Leagues, Inc. take the time to visit with us in Wilson. They do a great job for Babe Ruth and for all the youth of our great nation.
And finally, thanks to all the Corporate Sponsors and businesses that purchased as for the World Series Program. They have supported the W.C.Y.A.A.’s efforts in each World Series. Hopefully, each World Series has provided a lot of monies into Wilson County through the motels, restaurants, and shopping centers.
12 months of hard work is now almost over. We are working to finalize the financial statement in the next two weeks. After that, the 2004 World Series will be history. Thanks to everyone that helped out!
Mickey Davis
W.C.Y.A.A. Athletic Director
2004 World Series Host President
September 7, 2004