Peter Coolbaugh | Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum

Peter Coolbaugh, Paralegal at RMG

Role within Organization: Volunteer/Tour Guide
Number of Years/Months Involved: 10 Years

Why do you volunteer your time specifically with this organization?

This organization is something close to my heart because of my passion for baseball and the historical connection to Baltimore.  I was a late bloomer falling in love with baseball—but I’m an extremist, so when I fell in love, I really committed.  Even my wedding band has baseball stiches on it.

Does this organization affect Baltimore as a whole?

It’s responsible not just for the history of Babe Ruth, but also is entrusted with preserving all of Maryland’s sports heritage and past.  They used to operate the Sports Legends Museum (until October 2015) next to Camden Yards, and all of those artifacts are now archived at the Babe Ruth Museum or are at off-site storage.  Items on loan had to be returned to donors, at least temporarily.  There are several potential sites (depending on financial and architectural issues), and when one is selected it will be announced to the public.

What is your favorite memory of working with this organization?

My favorite was a fundraiser in February 2009 at Sports Legends, Cal & Eddie night; I got to meet the invited guests and have Q&A with them, and at the end of the night were able to take a professional photo and mailed to you later on.  I took my Dad, and he ended up passing away a few years later but I still have that photo of Cal, Eddie my dad and me hanging in my home and we put his copy at his wake.

If you could do one thing to change the organization for the better, what would it be?

I would love to get them an ongoing major corporate sponsor or two, so they wouldn’t have to worry about the woes that come with funding and operating a nonprofit.