Honoring a Legend: The Inaugural Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby Hits Kirby Park
This weekend, we headed over to Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre for the inaugural Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby, hosted by Visit Luzerne County. Baseball fans and local families gathered to celebrate the legacy of Babe Ruth, the sport’s greatest slugger, in a park that holds a special place in his history. It’s been said that during a barnstorming game in 1926, Ruth hit what would become his longest home run right here at Kirby Park. The ball soared an incredible 650 feet, so impressive that Babe himself requested it be measured — something he’d never done before. That little bit of history makes Kirby Park the perfect venue for this event.
What makes this derby even more special is the heartfelt support it received from the Ruth family. Visit Luzerne County sought and gained the blessings of the Ruth family to use his name for the event, even receiving a letter from Babe’s grandson, moved by the county’s ambition to honor his grandfather. All proceeds raised for the event went directly to the Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger in honor of Babe Ruth’s love for children. It was a fitting tribute to both the man and the legacy he left behind.
Check out some of our highlights below!