LYNN — The Lynn Babe Ruth all-star teams open their respective seasons this weekend. Friday night the 13-year-olds open their schedule at Medford (5:30) and the 15-year-olds kick-off their season in Peabody against Swampscott (7:30). The 14-year-old all-star team gets its season underway Sunday (4) in Peabody against Marblehead.
Former Lynn Babe Ruth Vice President Jeff Earp takes over as the league’s president for Jim Beliveau. Earp served as vice president for five years before accepting the new role, and has over 10 years of experience with Lynn’s Babe Ruth program.
“I love being involved,” Earp said. “It’s great. This is what it’s all about. You run the league and you get great joy out of watching the kids improve. The all-stars give you a chance to compete against everybody else. For many of these kids, it’s their last chance to play together.
Earp added, “Katie Burt, Ben Bowden, all the greats come back and they always talk about how great their Babe Ruth experiences were.”
This year’s teams are managed by Paul Hartford (13’s), Brian O’Connor (14’s) and Dave Galeazzi (15’s). Joining Hartford on his coaching staff are Chris Warren and Jay Bullock. O’Connor’s staff also includes Mark Marino, Jay Fraher and Matt Donahue. Galeazzi’s joined by Tony Luciano, Mike Nickolau and Kevin Mannion.
“They’re excellent. This is Galeazzi’s third year with the 15’s and O’Connor coached the 14’s last year,” Earp said. “Both had tremendous success last year. Both were within one out of the North state title last year. They both have high expectations.
“Paul comes over from Lynn Shore. He has coached Little League for 40 years and does a tremendous job,” Earp added. “He coached Gallant with me last year. He’s just what the 13’s group needs. All three teams should do very well.”
There’s a longstanding tradition of playing with pride in Lynn Babe Ruth and Earp believes the players on all three teams have a true understanding of what it means to represent their city the proper way.
“The players all have tremendous enthusiasm,” Earp said. “It’s a real honor and it’s tough picking all-stars. The tradition means an awful lot to them. We just handed out uniforms this week and the kids are pumped. They can’t wait. The 13’s have heard great things from the 14’s and 15’s.”
Earp has high expectations for all three teams. Lynn’s 15-year-old all-stars set a benchmark two summers ago when the team reached the Babe Ruth World Series in North Dakota. Success on the diamond, Earp said, is another aspect Lynn takes pride in each summer.
“We’ve always had a long tradition of accomplishment in Lynn Babe Ruth,” Earp said. “The 2016 World Series team broke through and did something that hadn’t been done here since 1983. We’re always right there. All three of our team have done well recently.”
