The Keystone Sr. Babe Ruth Baseball League began its 18th season last week.

Last season ended with the Bushkill Township Minutemen sweeping the Panther Valley Black Diamonds in the best of three League Championship Series to win their third league championship in four years to complete their dynasty. During the offseason, Bushkill Township ultimately decided to leave for another local league which will open the door for a new league champion to be crowned in 2014.Last season's postseason individual award winners all came from Franklin Township with the former Franklin Township Hurricane Dane Ciavarella becoming the first player ever in league history to sweep all three of the league's major individual awards (MVP, Batting Title, Pitcher of the Year) in the same season. The 2013 Scholarship Award recipient was Jacen Nalesnik - the former Franklin Township Shocker who just completed his freshman year playing baseball for Lehigh University.From top to bottom, the now seven-team league could be its deepest and most competitive season yet.The league will also showcase its best with the 12th annual All-Star Game which will take place for the first time ever at Towamensing Township on Saturday June 14th at 1 p.m.The playoffs will begin the first week of July and wrap up with the league championship series.Also in mid-July, the league Franklin Township will be co-hosting the 2014 Sr. Babe Ruth League Pennsylvania State Tournament. The tournament is scheduled to take place July 16-20 at both Christman Memorial Field and Lehighton High School.For more information on the league you can visit its website at

www.keystonebaberuth.org which includes the field directions, game schedule, standings, news and more.Here's the team-by-team breakdown for the 2014 season:East Stroudsburg MustangsManager - Tony Croce (9th season)2013 record - 11-8Home field - East Stroudsburg South High SchoolReturnees - Christian Acker, Avery Ammerman, Thomas Aruta, Chris Candelaria, Sebastien Frazier, Ryan Lewis, Bryne Mumbauer, Chris Ramdass, Nolan Schutzer, Noah Wilder and Damani WrightForks Township FalconsManager - Matt Baker (5th season)2013 record - 5-132013 Sporstmanship Award WinnerHome field - Forks Township Community ParkReturnees - Nate Bachert (w/ Bushkill), Tyler Banks, Connor Cadmus, John Desmond, Aaron Gasparetti, Evan Gasparetti,Tyler Honor, Tyler Kozic, Austin Matase, Colton Miller (w/ Bushkill), Ryan Schaming, Devon Shedlock, Jonathan Smickle, Nicholas Tattersfield, James Warga, and Cody YoungFranklin Township HurricanesManager - Dirk Pompa (1st season)2013 record - 12-7-1Home field - Christman Memorial FieldReturnees - Patrick Duvigneaud, David Everitt, Christian Gavornik, Michael Helmer, Justin Kaminski, Colton Knox, Bryce Micciche, Mitchell Peters, Dominic Pompa and Alex SteigerwaltFranklin Township ShockersManager - Donnie Rehrig (4th season)2013 record - 16-2-12013 Regular Season ChampionsHome field - Christman Memorial FieldReturnees - Wyatt Clement, Thatcher David, James Farano, Zach Kamowski, Jordan Knappenberger, Jordan McElmoyle, Vince Mele, Brady Niehoff, Anthony Rossino (2013 All-Star Game MVP), KJ Snerr, and Kyle TrochPanther Valley Black DiamondsManager - Rich Evanko (1st season)2013 record - 12-10Home field - Lansford Babe Ruth FieldReturnees - Colton Black, Matthew Gibbs-Buss, Darren Goida, Nathaniel Hrebik, Jacob Kusko, Frank Nietz, Patrick Owens, Luke Stano, Jacob Szczecina, Stephen Terry and Mark WilliamsPocono Mountain OutlawsManager - Wally Batt (1st season)2013 record - 2-16Home field - Pocono Mountain West High SchoolReturnees - Nicholas Casucci, Christopher Chiusano, Michael Chiusano, Thomas Chiusano, Timothy Donadio, Tanner Franks, Peter Hensel, and Nate NixonTowamensing Township YankeesManager - Don Hunter (7th season)2013 record - 10-8-1Home field - Towamensing Township Babe Ruth FieldReturnees - Ty Achtermann, Eli Borger, Austin Cook, Sean Doherty, Nikolas Feinsilber, Nicholas Frey, Isaac George, Curtis Kocis, Garrett Krome, James McWhriter, Cody Peters, Nick Sander, and Zachary Svetik* Article by league statistician Justin Litwin