West Orange Babe Ruth, a place to play ball

For more than 50 years, the West Orange Babe Ruth League has been offering a place for boys in the community to learn how to play the sport of baseball. 

Previously known as Ocoee Little League, the WOBR adopted its current name six years ago. 

“(We) provide recreational activity for the youth of the community that demonstrates good sportsmanship and teamwork to the youth,” WOBR President Reann Fitzpatrick said. 

With 145 players ranging between the ages of 4 and 15 and 14 teams, the league offers play opportunities for the youth from communities such as Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, Dr. Phillips MetroWest, Oakland and Apopka. 

“I love working with kids and watching them grow doing something they love,” Fitzpatrick said. 

In order to provide a second home for the children, the WOBR organizes fundraisers during each season — spring and fall — and is the current beneficiary of the Chick-fill-A 5K so players have well-kept fields to practice, and play, on. 

According to Fitzpatrick, children playing under the WOBR League learn the meaning behind the words teamwork, leadership and organization. 

Courtesy photo

OPENING DAY PARADE

The WOBR League will celebrate the opening of its 2023 spring season with an opening-day parade of 10 to 20 floats that will start at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 25.

According to Fitzpatrick, the parade will start at the old Ocoee City Hall on Bluford Avenue and will head north, crossing over to Silver Star Road to later head toward Rewis Street, then Flewelling Avenue and reach the park right after the baseball fields. 

“We will then have the teams lined up so we can announce each one as they enter the field,” Fitzpatrick said. 

“The parade brings a sense of community,” Fitzpatrick said. “We push that we are one big family (and one) big community.”