MOSES LAKE — The 2009 16-18 Babe Ruth World Series is less than nine weeks away and the task force still needs to secure participants housing.

The Babe Ruth World Series Task Force assembled Wednesday night to discuss planning for the Aug. 15 through Aug. 22 tournament at Larson Playfield.

Babe Ruth World Series Tournament co-Director and Task Force Chairman Randy Boruff said participant housing is still a huge priority.

“We still need to place 16 participants in eight homes,” he said.

Of the eight homes still needed, Housing co-Coordinator Eileen Martinez said she needs to find homes in Moses Lake and Ephrata.

“We have a team placed in Othello,” she said. “I still need to find four houses in Ephrata and four in Moses Lake.”

In addition to having the opportunity to house athletes from across the United States, Boruff said host families will receive passes to attend the event.

“If people host players they will receive admission packets for the games,” he said. “We want to get their whole family into the series for housing (participants).”

Although housing is still necessary for tournament participants, the World Series Task Force is preparing to sell tickets for the tournament in advance. Family passes will be $50 in advance for two adults and two children and single-person passes will be available for $25. Prices at the gate for the tournament will be $60 for family passes and $30 for single-person passes.

Advanced tickets for the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series will be available beginning June 22 at the Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department and at the Columbia Basin Herald office.

In addition to lower admission prices, advanced ticket buyers will receive parking passes for the tournament.

“If you buy (tickets) in advance or are a host family, you get a free (parking) pass,” he said. “We think we have the parking situation pretty much covered.”

The Babe Ruth Task Force has secured approximately 600 parking spaces for the tournament, not including street parking, Boruff said.

With the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series approximately two months away, Boruff said the task force needs to secure volunteers to help work during the games.

“We need about 35 to 40 people per game to make this go off without a hitch,” he said.

To volunteer to house a Babe Ruth World Series participant, contact Eileen Martinez at 509-765-1052.

Advertising space is still available for the Babe Ruth World Series program.

To volunteer to help at the World Series tournament or to advertise in the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series program contact Kerry Garbe at 509-750-4575.