Abbeville inducted into state Babe Ruth Hall of Fame

Abbeville has long been known as a baseball town.
That is because of Abbeville’s history with Babe Ruth Baseball, which dates back to the 1950s.
Abbeville received some recognition Tuesday for its connection to the sport when Babe Ruth, Inc. announced that it has inducted Abbeville into its Louisiana Babe Ruth Hall of Fame.
Mike Markins, the Louisiana commissioner for Babe Ruth, and Assistant Southwest Regional Commissioner Joe Cormier, who is from Abbeville, presented the honor during last Tuesday’s city council meeting.
“I am very proud to announce that the City of Abbeville will be the recipient of this award,” Cormier said during the meeting.”
Babe Ruth formed the Hall of Fame last year, which will include both individuals and communities that have had an impact on the game.
“Abbeville is the first municipality in the state to receive this prestigious award,” Cormier said. “For over 50 years, Abbeville has been a model of consistency for having a first class Babe Ruth program in place.
“This is due largely to the tremendous volunteer base that Abbeville is known for.”
The vote to induct Abbeville went before nine Babe Ruth commissioners.
“It passed unanimously,” Markins said. “Abbeville was the only city to be mentioned.
“They wanted Abbeville to be the first one inducted and it happened.”
Markins said there is little question as to why.
“They were the first town in Louisiana to receive a charter for Babe Ruth back in the early ‘50s,” Markins explained. “They have hosted numerous district, state, regional and World Series. That number is up to nine for the World Series. There is only one city, Jamestown, New York that has hosted more World Series (16).
The city’s first World Series was in 1974 and then it played host to a second one in 1995. Since 1995, the City has held a combined seven boys and girls World Series.
“Abbeville is a big part of Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball.”
Markins said that is evident in his travels.
“I have traveled all over the United States,” Markins said. “I had a team from Plaquemine that made a World Series in Philadelphia about eight years ago. When people found out we were from Louisiana, they asked if we were from Abbeville.
“They all know Abbeville.”
Mayor Mark Piazza said the league is a great flag for the city to carry.
“Babe Ruth baseball has been the pillar for success for the City of Abbeville’s recreation program,” Piazza said. “So many individuals have benefited from this organization, including myself, and there are so many fond memories we will cherish forever.
“I personally want to thank the Babe Ruth organization, as well as the many coaches and volunteers who have helped make the Abbeville program so successful.”
There have been many.
“As far as coaches in the league,” Cormier said, “Ralph Sellers, Irby Luquette, Jesse Faulk, Bradley Palombo, Bob Trahan, Gayle Frederick, Tommy Picard, Donnie Pere just names a few.
“All these men donated countless years of volunteer work to make Abbeville a respected town for Babe Ruth baseball.”
Assistance came from city hall, too.
“The city administration of former Mayor Brady Broussard always supported the Babe Ruth program for the City of Abbeville,” Cormier said. “Whenever you walked into Mayor Brady’s office, he met you with a smile and asked how his office could help.
“Mayor Broussard was a tremendous help when it came for Abbeville to host a state, regional or world series.”
Cormier said that reception has continued during the last decade.
“Mayor Mark Piazza’s administration took up where Mayor Broussard left off,” Cormier said. “Mayor Piazza always showed his support for kids of Abbeville when these important tournaments came to Abbeville.”
Cormier offered a special thanks to Gene Sellers, the city’s engineer. Sellers played a pivotal role in working with then Gov. Edwin Edwards office to provide financial assistance when Abbeville played host to its first World Series in 1974.
“Mr. Sellers has never received enough recognition for that,” Cormier said. “He deserves the recognition for what he was able to do.”
Abbeville has been able to accomplish much during its Babe Ruth baseball history, including Jesse Faulk, along with Darren Duhon and Buddy Cabrol, coaching a group to the 1995 12-year-old World Series title in Abbeville.
“Being named to the hall of fame speaks volumes for the citizens of Abbeville and the many years of success for our recreation program,” Piazza said.
Markins agreed.
“This honor speaks a lot about Abbeville and the people who have run these leagues,” Markins said. “It is a pleasure to be able to induct Abbeville.”
Again, Cormier said this honor is built on the backs of so many.
“This is thanks to all the coaches and volunteers over the last 50-plus years who have helped the Babe Ruth program be very successful in the City of Abbeville.”