The league now known as Southeastern Cal Ripken was organized as Southeastern Little League way back in 1962. The league played its games at Gainesway Park adjacent to Tates Creek High School. Many parents and coaches in our league over the past several years played in this league as boys. In 1990, Southeastern ended its' affiliation with Little League and became a chartered Babe Ruth organization. The 5 -12 age group of Babe Ruth was known as the Bambino Division until the start of the 2000 season when the name was changed to the Cal Ripken Division, in honor of the great Baltimore Oriole shortstop. Many still refer to the league as SEBB - Southeastern Bambino Baseball.

In the Spring of 1999, Southeastern organized teams for a new division. Babe Ruth fast-pitch softball for girls 12 and under started scheduling games at Veterans and Shillito Park. Softball has grown from four teams that first year to eleven teams in two divisions in 2002. The league includes girls from the entire south side of Lexington and played a large portion of its 2002 games at Gainesway Park, the site of the original boys league. Softball continues to grow and will become an independent chartered organization starting in 2003.

Southeastern played its first game at Veterans Park in 1992. The Minor league played that season on what is now the Major league field. Construction on the Rookie field started in January, 1993 and the Rookie league had its first game in May of that year. Rookie was 8 year olds only in the beginning. The Major league remained at Gainesway. until 1996 when the third field was completed at Veterans. Rookie went to 7 & 8's in 1994 and T-Ball was started for 5 & 6 year olds. T-Ball was, and still is, played at River Hills Park on Crosby Dr.  A T-Ball field was added in the Spring of 2005.

It is hard to imagine our park without the concession stand, but it wasn't completed until the Spring of 1996, around the same time the Minor field was completed and lights were erected on the Major field. It is also hard to imagine the hours and hours of volunteer time and cooperative effort that went into this huge project. Although LFUCG contracted and partially funded the three fields at Veterans, it was Southeastern volunteers who built the concession stand and deck, the batting cage, the block dugouts, did most of the grading and sod, and pulled miles of conduit for lights and the PA system. This core group of "founders" provided the hard work, planning, and attention to detail that makes Veterans Park the outstanding facility it is today. Through the efforts of league leaders, lights were added to the Minor field in 1999 and to the Rookie field in 2000. The main artery through the park was paved in 2000, funded by a personal contribution. Every year, all year, the league spends time and money maintaining and improving the park. Although owned by the local government, Southeastern volunteers make Veterans a very special place for families to come, socialize, and watch their kids play ball.

It would be impossible to name all the men and women who have contributed to the growth and development of Southeastern over the years. Past presidents include Lawson King, Fred Bramlett, Gino Guanari, Bill Goldey, Mike Epperson, and Steve Bentley. Goldey and Epperson supervised the move to Veterans Park. Bentley got lights on the Minor and Rookie fields. Other important individuals include Wayne Ulrey, Stewart Perry, Mark Denno, Paul Greer, Lee True, Kevin Bethel, Gary Dillingham, Diana Emrich, John Schaeffer, Debbie Flowers, Tom Snow, Bill Ball, Jim Setzer, Chuck Ross, Brad Redmon and Kyle Whalen. The coaches of the first major league teams to play at Veterans were, Ulrey, Greer, Bethel, Mike Baker (still coaching the Yankees), Rick Younce (back to coach again in 2003), Mike Serriglio, Dave Hatfield, and Rick Bentley. The Major league expanded to ten teams in 1997. Robin Brooks and Mark Mangione managed the expansion teams.

In 2002, over 750 boys and girls played baseball and softball as part of a Southeastern team. The 10 year old all-stars played in the Cal Ripken World Series in Bakersfield, CA and the 12 & Under girls played in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series in Louisville. Over the years, the league has had great success at all levels of all-star competition. Many players have gone on to compete at the high school, college, and professional level. More than anything else, Southeastern has provided a first class organization and facility allowing thousands of children, from all backgrounds, to try their hand at the national pastime. With thoughtful oversight and a strong spirit of volunteerism, thousands more will have that opportunity in the years ahead.