Tiffin Youth Sports Association unveiled

The Babe Ruth International youth baseball league has been around Tiffin for a long time. How long? "In 1956, a guy named Ralph Travis got a charter from Babe Ruth League International, and then it's been (here) from 1956 to present," said Fred McDole, the longtime head of Babe Ruth who is now the treasurer. "That's how long Babe Ruth's been around." This spring, the organization — and the other city baseball and softball leagues — are going under one banner. This spring, Babe Ruth, the D and E Leagues and the Ponytail Leagues are all part of the Tiffin Youth Sports Association. "It's been a three-year process, and we're still getting it together," said Scott McDole, Babe Ruth's president, and the VP of TYSA. "It's a nonprofit organization now, and we've formed a board. We're still moving ahead with the programs." By doing this, McDole said players will now be brought up under the same uniform rules, set by Babe Ruth International. "That way the kids know what to expect from one level to the next, so it helps with the transition," Scott McDole said. McDole said it's been a long process, and the idea was born out of a lack of cohesion between city youth baseball and softball leagues. Jeff Hohman, president of the TYSA, said players would encounter issues when they would move up in leagues. "When E League came up to D League, it was overwhelming for parents and players," Hohman said. Putting everything under one roof should change that. "It had been in discussion, probably over the last 10 years to get people on board to bring everything together, so that there is a basic understanding that you play under one set of rules, and then when you transition to the next, you should be able to make that transition with ease, because you're already gonna know what the rules are," McDole said. "But, unfortunately, there was a lack of communication, and to some degree a lack of willingness to bring it together, and it was kind of unfortunate. There was a good group of people who wanted to do it, but … like anything else, people don't like change." Now, McDole said there are several divisions for youth baseball: * Cal Ripken Rookie 5-8 years old. * E League 9-10 years old. * D League 11-12 years old. * Babe Ruth Prep Division 13-14 years old * Junior 15-17 years old. For softball, McDole said the breakdown is: * Junior Pony League 8-10 years old. * Senior 11-13 years old * Babe Ruth Fastpitch Division 14-18 years old. Ponytail Commissioner Joe Steinmetz said the new setup should have a positive impact. "I think it will be nice, more consistency," he said. "What's nice about the board it will set policies and procedures that will encompass the same policies, constitution. Kind of a 1-stop shop." Steinmetz said there are still things that could be improved upon in coming years. Along with that, McDole said there will be other changes. "Going through this transition period, we're working out those bugs," he said. "For instance, it is a requirement, a background check. Not only is it a requirement through Babe Ruth, they had a few years back suggested background checks. And we took the step that we're going to mandate it. And Babe Ruth caught up with it and said, 'No, we're gonna mandate it. And not only are we going to mandate it, it's going to be a 50-state, plus the District of Columbia background check.' So, everybody, now, has to go through that. So, when you come in as a coach, you come in as an umpire, or you come in as an official, everybody has to have that background check." Along with that will be training, "Now part of that background check is we require child abuse, sexual abuse training, it's kind of part of that package, and it's a requirement to get out on the field with the players," McDole said. "And then, the state of Ohio has mandated that you have concussion training. And I think this year is sudden cardiac arrest training. So that's going to be put upon our coaches that they have to have that, because that's mandatory. And then, the final piece is something along the lines of bullying. How to recognize that, and how to deal with those situations. Each coach has to have that certificate, and a secretary and secretary/official is going to make sure that they have those certificates. And if you don't have it, you don't get to go on the field." While a number of the other leagues have had their drafts, Babe Ruth's is to be April 7. Like most leagues, Hohman said they are looking to attract players, as well as help from parents. "I wish more kids would get encouraged to play the game, play baseball," Hohman said. "We want to make it better for them."