04/08/2026
The Willamette Area Babe Ruth board would like to recognize and thank Rory Bakken for his contributions to the WABR Organization over the past four seasons while serving on the board. Rory spent three seasons as WABR's Area Director, Fundraising Chair and Sportsmanship and Coaching Committee member. He helped lead with passion, excitement, fairness, grit and heart. He was instrumental in the fundraising work our league has done in recent years and was a humble, yet vocal representative of our Area across Willamette Valley Babe Ruth. While sending Rory off at our most recent board meeting, members shared their favorite stories, laughs and triumphs alongside Rory. Two things that echoed across everyone's accounts of their time on the board with Rory, was their admiration of his integrity and work ethic. There wasn't anything he wasn't willing to do and nothing held him back from speaking up for what we believed was fair.
Volunteering in youth sports can be overwhelming and stressful. You set yourself up for criticism, and sign up for work that often goes unnoticed or unappreciated. But at the same time it can be some of the most rewarding and impactful work you can do. Shaping young athletes into better ball players and people, is at the core of WABR's mission and was exemplified day in and day out by Rory.
Rory has decided to take a step back from baseball and focus on spending even more quality time with his family. Although we are sad to see him go and will miss his presence throughout the organization, we are grateful for all the work, effort and energy he poured into our kids and our people. Please join us in saying thank you, Rory, for everything. We'll see you at the complex!
WABR Board
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