Ken Babby became Owner and Chief Executive Officer of the Akron RubberDucks, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, in October 2012 when he purchased the then-named Akron Aeros.
Babby is the founder of Fast Forward Sports Group LLC, through which he additionally purchased the then-named Jacksonville Suns, Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, in September 2015, becoming the youngest multi-franchise owner in professional sports. Following the 2016 season, the Suns started a new identity as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Akron RubberDucks baseball has taken flight under Babby. In five seasons, the franchise’s second-ever owner has invested more than $7 million into Akron’s Canal Park, which includes one of the largest HD videoboards in the minor leagues, with attendance increasing by 28 percent.
Following a successful identity change after the 2013 season that focused on Akron’s history as the “Rubber Capital of the World,” the team went on to win Minor League Baseball’s prestigious Larry MacPhail Award as the top promotional team in 2015. The 2016 season was packed with accolades for the RubberDucks, including an Eastern League championship, with the franchise hosting the Eastern League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby for the first time, and the club’s nomination for the John H. Johnson President’s Award, which honors Minor League Baseball’s “most complete franchise.”
A native of Potomac, Maryland, Babby, 39, spent 13 years with TheWashington Post, rising to positions such as Vice President, Advertising, and Chief Revenue Officer of Washington Post Media and General Manager of Washington Post Digital.
In 2017, Babby was named to the Jacksonville Business Journal’s 40 under 40, and he was an Entrepreneur of the Year® 2017 Award winner in the Northeast Ohio region. He was named one of Sports Business Journal's 2016 "Forty Under 40," recognizing excellence and innovation in sports business careers. In 2015, Crain’s Cleveland Business also honored him as one of its local 2015 “Forty Under 40” awards. He serves as chair of the Baseball Internet Rights Company (BIRCO) and is also on numerous boards in Northeast Ohio including: BOUNCE Innovation Hub, Greater Akron Chamber, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Positive Coaching Alliance, Summa Foundation, and United Way of Summit County.
In describing his ownership vision, Babby elaborates on a two-fold mission. As the leader of the organization, he hopes to create a memorable, unique, affordable and enjoyable fan experience, while also maximizing the opportunity to create change in the community through charitable, wellness and education initiatives.
Babby is an Akron resident and a visible presence at RubberDucks and Jumbo Shrimp games, as well in the local communities. Ken is married to wife, Liz, and has a 10-year-old son, Josh.
Anyone interested in playing in the annual golf outing on June 28th, needs to have their registration information into the Rotary office no later than THIS Friday, June 21, 2019. We need to provide the Golf Course with a total number of participants so they can order the food for the event. If you do not have a foursome lined up, don't despair: we will place you with some other fine folks.Thank you!
Instead of the usual President party with cookies following a meeting, President Michelle would like to have a social gathering!
Save the date for Tuesday, July 9 from 5-7 pm. We will meet at Burntwood Tavern in Belden Village. They have great happy hour prices and yummy food. Hope you can join President Michelle at her farewell party to celebrate the end of her term.
For those Rotarians who enjoy attending the Rotary Club of Canton South meetings, please make note of the change of venue!
Canton South Club Secretary Robyn Thompson states "the Rotary Club of Canton South will now meet at Spring Valley Golf Course located at 5851 Breezehill Rd., East Sparta, 44626. It is still a breakfast meeting at 7:30 am."
The Rotary Club of Canton will host its annual golf outing at the Sanctuary Golf Club located at 2017 Applegrove Street N.W., North Canton, on Friday, June 28, 2019.
Co-Chairs Bill Liber and Brad Carpenter, along with the golf committee members, have been hard at work preparing for this year's event. Registration will start at 7:00 a.m. with a light breakfast available. Shotgun start will be at 9:00 a.m. The Four Person Scramble will be followed by a steak dinner in the pavilion. Following the dinner, prizes will be presented.
Get a hole in one on hole #6 as a participant in our Canton Rotary Golf Outing and you will win the lease of a 2019 Lincoln MKZ Sedan for two years, 21,000 total miles or a cash alternative of $10,000 to be spent toward the Liberty Vehicle of winner's choice. *Must be a licensed driver, minimum age 21 and able to provide adequate insurance coverage. Excess mileage and maintenance is the winner's responsibility. Only one shot at hole per golfer. No mulligans. The prize is courtesy of Liberty Ford Lincoln in Canton.
Once again Rotarian Ryan Parkinson and his employer, ProTech Security, will offer a Home Security System with three free months of monitoring and app. This prize will be provided to the person who is closest to the pin on the par 3 hole number 9.
$500 GOLD Sponsor -will receive their company's name posted at a hole, golf, golf cart, light breakfast and steak dinner for their four-person team.
$100 HOLE Sponsor - will include your company name posted at a hole.
If you don't have a full foursome, don't fret! Individual golfers need only pay $75.00 and they will be paired with other golfers to make a foursome. Individual golfers will receive use of a golf cart, light breakfast and steak dinner.
This event is a great opportunity to invite prospective members and recruit foursomes from other area Rotary Clubs! Registration is up and running, so if you would like to sign your foursome up or as just an individual golfer, please follow this LINK.
Leading up to this year's Annual Four Person Golf Scramble scheduled for June 28, 2019 at the Sanctuary Golf Course, we will be having a contest for the Rotarian who can sell the most "Hole Sponsorships".
A hole sponsorship is $100 and your name or company name will be posted at a hole on the course. The Rotarian selling the most Hole Sponsorships will receive an official 2019 Masters Golf Tournament hat, similar to the one pictured!
THIS FRIDAY we will find out who has brought in the most hole sponsorships!
The Rotary Club of Canton will once again host its 5th Annual Oktoberfest on Thursday, September 19, 2019 in Downtown Canton! We will feature beer tastings from local breweries, food, musical entertainment and a genuine Oktoberfest band with dancing and singing.
So dust off your Lederhosen and Schnitzel and mark your calendars for this FUN event! You can follow this LINK to grab some tickets for this year's event or thisLINK to view sponsorship information! Please keep in mind that we also need lots of volunteers to present this signature event in Downtown Canton!
Ken Babby became Owner and Chief Executive Officer of the Akron RubberDucks, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, in October 2012 when he purchased the then-named Akron Aeros..jpg)
Anyone interested in playing in the annual golf outing on June 28th, needs to have their registration information into the Rotary office no later than THIS Friday, June 21, 2019. We need to provide the Golf Course with a total number of participants so they can order the food for the event. If you do not have a foursome lined up, don't despair: we will place you with some other fine folks.Thank you! 
For those Rotarians who enjoy attending the Rotary Club of Canton South meetings, please make note of the change of venue! 
Leading up to this year's Annual Four Person Golf Scramble scheduled for June 28, 2019 at the Sanctuary Golf Course, we will be having a contest for the Rotarian who can sell the most "Hole Sponsorships".
The Rotary Club of Canton will once again host its 5th Annual Oktoberfest on Thursday, September 19, 2019 in Downtown Canton! We will feature beer tastings from local breweries, food, musical entertainment and a genuine Oktoberfest band with dancing and singing.
