DEMOPOLIS &045; The West Alabama Babe Ruth League is looking for another successful season. They were the state champions last year. The 13-year-old team advanced to the southeast regionals in Williamsburg, Va. last season where they finished with a 2-2 record.

More than 70 players in this area plus 30 more from the surrounding area participated in the league last year. There is an expectation of 130 to 150 players from the district to participate this season.

There are plans for some games to be played at the University of West Alabama’s Tartt Field in Livingston, which will give the players the opportunity to play on a college baseball field.

West Alabama has always been known for having some of the best baseball in the state.

The Babe Ruth League started over 55 years ago by a group men dedicated to the youth of America in Trenton, N.J.

The league caught on nationally, then internationally. It now ranks as the premier amateur baseball program in the world.

The Babe Ruth League, Inc. has increased steadily from its first 10-team league more than 50 years ago, to its present combined size of more than one million players on almost 57,000 teams in more than 9,000 leagues.

One of the keys to the leagues success in this area is being blessed with good coaches and quality umpires, Pearson said.

Local sign-ups are going on at Omni Sports, where applications can be picked up. For more information, contact the league commissioner at 334-216-9119.

The fee is $65 per player, which includes hat and jersey and is due with application. The deadline is March 31.