Balk: Babe Ruth World Series not returning to Newark in 2019

NEWARK - The Babe Ruth World Series was expected to make its return to Don Edwards Park in 2019.

That, however, will no longer be happening. Mayor Jeff Hall said Tuesday he recently was informed by Dave Froelich, a former Babe Ruth employee who spearheaded the local efforts, the planned 14-year-old World Series will not be held in Newark next summer.

The Advocate reported in April a committee headed by Froelich gave $45,000 to Babe Ruth League to cover the hosting fee. Local businesses and individuals had committed more than $140,000 of the needed $215,000 in funds during the past year.

"We never signed an agreement yet," Hall said. "There was a lot of stipulation and hope, I guess in some ways, but we also needed to see the community completely step up in the right way."

Froelich declined late Monday to speak on specifics. He did say it was a decision made at the local level and not by the Babe Ruth League.

The money raised by sponsors was aimed to pay for the World Series and improvements to Don Edwards Park. The money raised from attendance and concessions was hoped to pay for continuous improvements to the facility.

Newark hosted the 16-18-year-old World Series from 2004 to 2008 and again in 2010. Previous efforts to bring the World Series back to Newark have been derailed by concerns over a lack of volunteers, particularly for host families.

The 14-year-old World Series would not have needed host families, but Hall noted field time was a concern. Don Edwards Park, which now is owned by the city, is hosting more than 600 games at the four-field facility this summer.

"The fields are being used so much, and they of course prefer to let them set and rest quite a bit," Hall said. "That's the big difference from years ago. Sometimes, the private operation of fields versus the city park operation of fields can vary a little bit in purpose. The administration prior to me committed to purchasing (Don Edwards Park), and I said, 'We want a lot of kids on these fields. We want them busy.' My gosh, we have hundreds and hundreds of games down there."

Froelich spoke for several minutes at Monday's Newark City Council meeting, admonishing leadership for not acting on a proposal to turn over operations of Don Edwards Park from the Licking County Family YMCA to the Licking County Settlers.

Councilman Bill Cost said the move of the World Series is "absolutely" related to Froelich's displeasure with council.

"We want the same thing. We want the World Series. We want this to move forward and be positive and successful," said Cost, chairman of the parks committee. "Why can't we all do it together? Why can't we keep the Y involved? He wouldn't have it."

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @newarkurt