Rawdogs’ Babe Ruth World Series title defense takes controversial turn

The Alabama Rawdogs, the defending Babe Ruth World Series champions, topped the National pool and enter Friday’s bracket portion of the tournament as one of the two top seeds.

It’s a team that is hard to root against. They play with immense enthusiasm, the dugout has chants for every situation, and they celebrate everything and everyone.

However, their run for a 12th Babe Ruth World Series title took a controversial turn on Wednesday, when six Rawdogs players were ruled ineligible and they had to forfeit their win against Indiana. These six players had a role in wins against the Southeast Tropics and Colorado, but only gave up one win and had to play the rest of the tournament without them.

The rule in question is “Any player born prior to May 1, 2007, and on or after January 1, 2004, will be eligible for Babe Ruth 16-18 League competition. Any player eligible to participate in high school athletics will be eligible to participate in the Babe Ruth League 16-18 Division (National Federation Rule).”

Alabama’s six players were ruled ineligible because they were either 19 years or older, had graduated high school a year ago, and/or had just completed a year of college baseball.

“I just don’t understand,” Rawdogs manager Tony Hendrix said. “We interpreted the rule one way and Babe Ruth says and another. Our Regional Commissioner was part of the rules committee when they voted that in and we got an email with a letter stating how the rules were read and then states that any kid eligible at these ages could play. All of our kids are the same ages as these kids are. None of them are too old, but because they played a year of college instead of high school are ineligible.”

Both of Alabama’s pitchers who played against Colorado on Tuesday were coming off freshman years at junior colleges. Kelly Lanier, who started and threw six shutout innings, played at Coastal Alabama Community College. Thrasher Steed, who closed out the game and topped 95 mph on the radar gun, pitched at Chipola College this past spring.

The Rawdogs posted a lengthy post on their Facebook page, saying that they “have been in touch with a lawyer and he has agreed we are correct on our interpretation,” and “have a letter from our regional commissioner stating we are eligible.” The post also claims that “No players were flagged upon submittal two months ago and our roster was signed and approved by Rob Connor at Babe Ruth headquarters. It was also approved again before the start of the regional tournament and approved again before the start of the World Series.”

“It was approved at three different levels,” Hendrix said, “until we get here and this happens.”

Babe Ruth officials present at Capaha Field said they could not comment on the record due to the pending threat of a lawsuit, but argued that the Rawdogs misinterpreted the rule.

“Some of the parents are very irate about it,” Hendrix said. “I’m not a [lawsuit] type person, but if they do it, they do it.”

For now, the Rawdogs enter the bracket stage with 11 eligible players and a chance to repeat as champions. They earned the top seed by defeating Washington 5-3 on Thursday at Capaha Field.

Now fueled by a grievance and motivated by a sense of defiance, the remaining players now play for the teammate they feel were wronged by the tournament’s governing body.

“It would mean everything,” said Rawdogs right fielder Bryant Durbin, who was named player of the game for going 3-for-3 against Washington. “They were a big part of our team. We’re in it to win for them.”

Alabama will take on the winner of China and Canada at 5 p.m. on Friday at Capaha Field. Should the Rawdogs win, they would face the winner between Indiana and Asia Pacific in the semifinal round on Saturday at 10 a.m.