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The Kansas Babe Ruth “Classic” originated as an idea of State Commisioner Gary Kuntz in 1999 as a way to showcase the 36 most talented 15-year-old players participating in the
state Babe Ruth program. Each year the “classic” is be played at various sites throughout the state and will consist of two seven-inning games (originally two 9-inning games were played but because
of time restraints was reduced to seven-inning games) between the West team (Districts 1-4) and the East team (Districts 5-7). Players are selected during District Tournament competition and managers are
determined by State Commissioner Bob Willis on a rotational basis. Each manager in turn selects two coaches from recommendations of the District Commissioners. The 2000 Classic was held in Pittsburg on
August 13. The 2001 “Classic” was held in Great Bend on August 12 with the East team managed by Gene Buie (Assistant State Commissioner-16-18 Division) and the West team managed by Paul Unrau
(State Treasurer). In 2002, Lyons hosted the “Classic” with Jim Nelson, Assistant State Commissioner managing the East team and District 1 Commissioner Chad Knight managing the West team.
Wellington hosted the 2003 “Classic” with David Branson (Assistant State Commissioner - 12 & Under Division) managing the East team and Larry Gerwick (Assistant State Commissioner - 13 Year-Old
Division) managing the West. Ulysses hosted the 2004 “Classic” with State Commissioner Gary Kuntz managing the East team and State Secretary Kermit Hawley managing the West team. In 2005,
Classic VII was threatened by heavy rains, but two seven-inning games were played in Burlington August 14 at Kelley Park. Managing the West team was District 3 Commissioner Bob Willis and managing the East team was
District 6 Commissioner Scot Jeffers. Classic VIII was played in Lyons in 2006 with Owen Kaufman, District 4 Commissioner managing the West team and Gene Buie, Assistant State Commissioner-16-18 Year Olds
managing the East team. Classic IX was played in Elkhart with Assistant State Commissioner 9 and 11 Year Olds Paul Unrau managing the East team and Jim Nelson, Assistant State Commissioner, 14 Year Olds
managing the West team. In 2008, Classic X was in Fort Scott August 16 and 17. Mark Brooks, Assistant State Commissioner 10 Year Olds will manage the West and the East will be managed by Daryl Spear,
District 5 Commissioner. Wellington hosted “Classic XI” in 2009 on August 15 and 16. Managing the West was Larry Gerwick, Assistant State Commissioner 13 YO’s and Dan Welch, District 6
Commissioner managed the East. In Classic XII at Mulvane August 14 and 15, Dennis Nevin, Assistant State Commissioner-12(60’), from Parsons managed the East team and David Branson, Marion, District 4
Commissioner and Assistant State Commissioner-12(70’) managed the West. Ottawa hosted Classic Xiii in 2011 and the East team was managed by Developmental Commissioner Pat Lemmons while the West team was
managed by Kerwin Spencer, District 3 Commissioner. In 2012, Classic XIV was held in Council Grove with the East team managed by Mark Brooks, Assistant State Commissioner-10 Year-Old Division and coached by
Vince Yanez of Parsons, and Danny Homer of Pomona. The West team was managed by Amy Fleener, District 1 Commissioner and coaches were Brad Seacat of Marion and Mark Brownlee of Wellington.
See details of the first ever Babe Ruth “Classic” (1999)
See details of the 2000 “Classic”, 2001 “Classic”,2002 “Classic”, 2003 “Classic”, 2004 “Classic”, 2005 “Classic”, 2006 “Classic”, 2007 “Classic”, 2008 “Classic”, 2009 “Classic”, 2010 “Classic”, 2011 “Classic”, 2012 “Classic”, Below are the results of each Classic.
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