Babe Ruth play begins Thursday

Fairfield Babe Ruth?s opening night has been set for Thursday at the Fairfield Babe Ruth Field.

The league?s two teams, Benjamin Franklin Cardinals and Bob?s Automotive Red Sox, will be squaring off against each other for the season-opener starting at 6:30 p.m.

This season?s league consists of 25 players, including 18 13-year-olds. Although the league is down from the five teams it had last year, Bob?s Automotive head coach Jeremy Miller said he?s pleased with the young turnout and hopes to get back up to four teams next season.

Members of Miller?s Red Sox include Graham Kuehl, Brian Buch, Spencer Else, Stetson Spees, Brendon Lunsford, Brayden Miller, Derrik Beasley, Tycen Jordan, Hunter Hoskins, Cade Lisk, Gannon Courtright and Donte Cingre.

Mason Thomas, Cody Pearson, Hunter Drish, Darrin Roberts, Kleyton Benedict, Thayne Runyon, Shae McCabe, Ty Stockwell, Alex Sisomphane, Simon Spalla, Clayton Morrison, Colin Pumphrey and James Lyman are on the Benjamin Franklin Cardinals. Head coach is Todd Runyon.

Babe Ruth starts interleague play next week and continues through the end of June with games against teams from Mount Pleasant, Wayland, Burlington and Ottumwa. District play begins in early July.