Poulsbo is proud to be the host city of the 2012 Babe Ruth World Series for 13-year-olds. It took considerable effort from many quarters to make this happen: Thousands of hours of volunteer time organizing the event, fundraising here and in the teams’ hometowns to cover expenses, and some great play, discipline and sportsmanship on the field. Congratulations to series host presidents Russ Barker and Brent Stenman for shepherding the effort to bring the series to Kitsap.

As Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson said Tuesday after the welcoming parade, the fact that the players are here is “testimony to your dedication and hard work.” They deserve accolades for that.

The World Series continues through Aug. 22 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds’ Gene Lobe Fields. Our home team, the Kitsap County All-Stars, faces Westfield, Mass. today at 7 p.m. and Meridian, Idaho, Saturday at 7 p.m. We hope our readers will go and cheer for the home team.

At this series, you’ll get to watch some of the best Babe Ruth League baseball players in the nation. But this series represents so much more. In keeping with the mission of Babe Ruth Baseball, each player is dedicated to the respect for the rules of the game, and the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. From the host family experience emerges friendships that can last a lifetime.

While the championship is the ultimate prize, all players leave with indelible memories from having been a part of the Babe Ruth World Series experience. These boys of summer are developing into the leaders of tomorrow; Babe Ruth alumni have gone on to achieve great heights in baseball and in other fields. Eight Babe Ruth alums are in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

So, go to Gene Lobe Fields and watch our World Series. You’ll see some great baseball and leave with memories of your own.

Ten teams from nine states are competing in the series. Games are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 1, 4 and 7 p.m. each day. Here’s our home team’s schedule:
— Aug. 15, Kitsap 2, Bryant, Ark. 9.
— Aug. 16, Kitsap 2, Waite Park, Minn. 3
— Aug. 17, 7 p.m.: vs. Westfield, Mass.
— Aug. 18, 7 p.m., vs. Meridian, Idaho.
— Aug. 19, off.
— Aug. 20-22, championship games.