major league baseball

Transcription

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Baseball is a historic institution beloved around the globe. All of us at Major League
Baseball are ever-cognizant that it is a privilege for our game to have such significant
stature in the communities of our fans. Major League Baseball’s 2013 Community
Affairs Report illustrates our sport’s unwavering commitment to giving back.
The 30 Clubs of Major League Baseball have devoted countless resources to making
a difference in the lives of many fans and in our society as a whole. Many people
throughout the baseball family use remarkable passion and creativity in helping
worthy organizations and individuals in need. Locally, our Clubs support important
causes every day. Together, all of us in the game share bonds with Boys & Girls
Clubs of America, Stand Up To Cancer and many other national partners that are
accomplishing extraordinary work. The national pastime is honored to contribute to
the success of their missions.
Our sport’s greatest pioneer, Jackie Robinson, once said, “A life is not important
except in the impact it has on other lives.” Inspired by those words, Major League
Baseball will always strive to meet its many essential social responsibilities. I have
the utmost professional pride in all of the efforts illustrated in Major League Baseball’s
2013 Community Affairs Report, and it is our privilege to reach our fans and their
communities in meaningful ways.
Sincerely,
Allan H. (Bud) Selig
Commissioner of Baseball
Hurricane Sandy, the second-costliest hurricane in United
States history, struck the Northeastern United States on
October 29, 2012, resulting in deaths in eight states and over
$71 billion in damages. Millions were left without power, and
thousands of homes were destroyed.
Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball
Players Association joined together to donate $1 million
to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and
Feeding America to assist emergency relief efforts in the
most devastated areas along the East Coast affected by
Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, MLB worked closely with all
30 Clubs to encourage baseball fans to support the efforts
via public service announcements, programming mentions
and editorial coverage on MLB Network and MLB.com. A
special auction featuring donations from all 30 Clubs raised
additional funds.
MLB Network also featured on-air mentions during instudio programming and signage visibility for the American
Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Feeding America.
MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball,
also supported relief efforts with editorial coverage, social
media outreach and prominently-displayed links to the
aforementioned organizations.
The League offices, along with several Clubs, organized
food and clothing drives and donated MLB apparel and
non-perishable food, baby food, personal hygiene items
and cleaning supplies, all of which were delivered within
three weeks of the storm to Far Rockaway in New York and
Hoboken and Neptune in New Jersey.
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MLB in the Community • Annual Report 2013
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he year 2012 marked the 20th anniversary of the annual Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) World Series. RBI is
the Major League Baseball youth initiative designed to provide underserved youth with an opportunity to play baseball
and softball, promote character development, encourage academic success, and teach the value of teamwork. MLB
supports RBI leagues by providing resources that help reduce the cost of playing baseball and softball. Also provided
are resources that allow the local RBI programs to impact the lives of players off the field. Important partners that
support RBI nationally include The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Majestic, Head & Shoulders, Rawlings, Phiten, Brax,
Gatorade, Outdoor Cap, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, New Balance, The Partnership @ Drugfree.org and Louisville
Slugger. The RBI World Series is the jewel event of the 13-18 year old baseball and softball competitive tournament
divisions of the Major League Baseball RBI program. Eight regional tournaments that were held in the U.S. and the Caribbean
determined the 24 teams that advanced to the World Series.
In 2012, more than 300 RBI programs in more than 200 cities worldwide provided baseball and softball opportunities to more
than 200,000 youths ages 5-18.
The 2012 RBI World Series was hosted by the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. To launch the anniversary
celebration, Commissioner Selig welcomed the 2012 baseball division participants to the World Series during the opening
luncheon held in the Carew Atrium at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. Joining the Commissioner were Hall of Fame
players Rod Carew, Bert Blyleven, and Paul Molitor. Other World Series activities included a day of service component in
which all participating teams volunteered at Minneapolis/St. Paul area charities. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers
also served as the keynote speaker for the softball closing banquet.
The Junior and Senior Baseball divisions of the RBI World Series were played with preliminary round games at Neiman
Athletic Complex, Parade Stadium and Toni Stone Stadium. The championship games for both divisions were played at Target
Field. RBI Dominicana won the Junior Baseball Division championship, defeating the Chicago White Sox RBI program. This
was the third consecutive Junior Division championship for Santo Domingo. Jackie Robinson RBI of Jersey City, New Jersey,
defeated Bradenton RBI of Bradenton, Florida to win the Senior Baseball Division championship, broadcast live on MLB
Network. This was the first time both leagues were represented in the championship game.
RBI Dominicana also claimed the softball championship by defeating Harrisburg RBI at
Jane Sage Cowles Stadium at the University of Minnesota. This was RBI Dominicana’s
first championship since 2008 and their second RBI World Series softball title. For
more information, visit MLB.com/rbi.
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E
ntering its 16th year of partnership in 2012, Major League Baseball and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) continued
to create unique opportunities for the nearly four million boys and girls served by Boys & Girls Clubs around the world.
Major League Baseball provides millions of dollars in exposure to Boys and Girls Clubs through player supported PSAs,
TV announcements, behind-home-plate signage and on MLB web pages. These efforts are highlighted during MLB All-Star
Week and include field builds and renovations, building and room refurbishments, and the planting of community gardens.
The partnership includes a contribution by Major League Baseball to BGCA to underwrite the cost of implementing WANNA
PLAY?, a health and fitness program to help young people become active and fit. Major League Baseball also supports
nearly 100 Boys & Girls Clubs Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) (ages 13-18) and Jr. RBI (ages 5-12) programs
reaching nearly 65,000 youth.
SUPPORTING YOUTH
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Current and former Major League Baseball players who were members of Boys & Girls Clubs include Alex Rodriguez, Jimmy
Rollins, CC Sabathia and Baseball Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Frank Robinson.
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as
productive, caring, responsible citizens. BGCA’s national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually
serves nearly four million young people primarily from disadvantaged circumstances in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands as well as domestic and international military bases. Known as the “Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs’ full and
part-time trained professional staff and volunteers conduct programs that promote academic success, good character and
citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Visit greatfutures.org for more information.
S
ince 2007, Major League Baseball has partnered with the Hank Aaron Chasing the
Dream Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to provide financial
support to help talented young people pursue their dreams. The Chasing the Dream
grants provide ongoing financial assistance to youth with proven talent and strong
academic achievement to help them develop their talents and achieve their goals.
The program annually distributes up to 44 grants of up to $2,500 each in honor of Hank
Aaron’s legendary number 44 jersey to BGCA members across the country and on
military bases around the world. These youth make sacrifices to rise above difficult
circumstances to follow their passions. The program provides opportunities to perform
in front of new audiences, practice with professionals, purchase equipment, inspire and
be inspired. For more information, visit MLBcommunity.org.
Selig created The Commissioner’s
Community Initiative to provide tickets throughout the
baseball season to those who might not otherwise have
the opportunity to experience the thrill of attending a Major
League Baseball game. MLB Clubs have distributed
more than 11 million tickets since the program’s
inception in 2004, including nearly 1.6 million throughout
the 2012 regular season. For more information, visit
MLBCommunity.org.
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n 2012, Major League Baseball once again
partnered with the Major League Baseball Players
Association (MLBPA) to implement the MLB & Players
Give Back program to distribute tickets to children,
charities supported by the MLBPA and those community
and civic groups whose members would not usually
have a chance to attend a Major League Baseball
game. Since its inception in 2009, MLB Clubs have
distributed nearly four million tickets through this
program, including almost 900,000 in 2012. For more
information, visit MLBCommunity.org.
SUPPORTING YOUTH
Commissioner
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S
tand Up To Cancer (SU2C) is a grassroots
movement with the goal of ending cancer’s reign
as a leading cause of death. Stand Up To Cancer
is working hard to get new therapies to patients by
encouraging collaboration instead of competition. To
that end, Stand Up To Cancer brings together the
best and brightest scientists from different disciplines
at research centers around the world to work together
to address critical issues in patient care.
The 2012 Winter Meetings introduced another
League-wide Stand Up To Cancer tribute. Led by PR
Directors from all 30 Clubs and inspired by the baseball
public relations officials and Club executives who are
bravely fighting cancer, the Meetings featured a Stand
Up To Cancer signing wall with representatives from
across the League demonstrating their support with
SU2C tribute placards and an unprecedented online
auction that offered fans rare Baseball experiences.
The tribute raised over $150,000 for SU2C.
HEALTH
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Major League Baseball and its 30 Clubs have
donated more than $30 million to SU2C to fund
groundbreaking translational research that delivers
new therapies to cancer patients. As a founding
donor, MLB has conducted significant awarenessbuilding efforts for Stand Up To Cancer through public
service announcements, in-stadium promotions
and fundraising events, and has dedicated one
World Series game to the initiative for each of the
past three years. For more information, please
visit MLB.com/SU2C.
Going To Bat
Against Breast Cancer
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or the eighth consecutive year, Major League Baseball has been “Going To Bat
Against Breast Cancer”. On Mother’s Day, hundreds of MLB players used pink
Louisville Slugger bats stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo. To
further demonstrate their support for the breast cancer cause, players and on-field
personnel wore the symbolic pink ribbon on their uniforms, pink wrist bands and
other pink ribbon branded items. Commemorative dugout lineup cards also carried
the pink ribbon logo. Game-used items including pink bats from Mother’s Day
games were auctioned exclusively on MLB.com to raise additional funds
for breast cancer research.
HEALTH
Through the fourth annual Honorary Bat Girl Contest, MLB and
all 30 Clubs recognized fans who are “Going To Bat Against
Breast Cancer” in their daily lives. One fan of each MLB Club
was selected to serve as an “Honorary Bat Girl” for the special
Mother’s Day games. Nine-time Grammy Award winner
Bonnie Raitt, who lost her brother and close friends to
cancer, recorded a special video at the MLB Fan Cave to
lend her support to the Honorary Bat Girl initiative and
the ongoing fight to eradicate the disease. For more
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Father’s Day
Home Run Challenge
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he annual “Home Run Challenge” returned in 2012 for
the 16th year to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation
(PCF). For each home run hit during 75 select MLB games
leading up to and including Father’s Day, fans made
monetary donations and pledges to PCF. The initiative
helps increase awareness of prostate cancer and has
raised more than $40 million for prostate cancer research.
On Father’s Day, on-field personnel, including players,
managers, coaches, trainers, umpires and groundskeepers
wore blue wristbands and blue ribbon uniform decals
symbolizing prostate cancer awareness. The blue ribbon
logo also appeared on the official dugout lineup cards,
which were also blue. All Major League Baseball games
played on Father’s Day communicated valuable health
information about prostate cancer.
HEALTH
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The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the world’s leading
philanthropic organization funding and accelerating
research. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised more
than $500 million and provided funding to over 1,600
research projects at nearly 200 institutions worldwide in
15 countries around the world. PCF advocates for
greater awareness of prostate cancer and more
efficient investment of governmental research
funds supporting transformational cancer research.
More information about PCF can be found
at pcf.org.
Major League Baseball began work with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) on two important campaigns in
2012. During the Winter/Spring the CDC’s
flu campaign was featured on the MLB
Community page on MLB.com with the
posting of the CDC flu web-banner. Fans
were able to click on the banner and get key
information about flu symptoms, prevention
and treatment.
MLB also supports the CDC’s Heads Up:
Concussion in Youth Sports initiative which
offers important information on preventing,
recognizing, and responding to a concussion
for coaches, parents, and athletes. For more
information, visit cdc.org
In 2012, Major League Baseball continued
its League-wide support of the 4•ALS
initiative, in partnership with leading nonprofit ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
organizations dedicated to raising funds and
awareness to fight the disease. Commonly
referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease” – for
the Hall of Famer who died from ALS in
1941 at the age of 37 – this deadly disease
destroys the nerve cells controlling muscles,
and ultimately causes complete paralysis.
Launched by Major League Baseball in 2009,
4•ALS continues to grow with ongoing support
from all 30 Clubs. For more information, visit
MLBCommunity.org.
HEALTH
For the 14th year, Major League Baseball
and the American Academy of Dermatology
(AAD) helped Clubs, players and fans “Play
Sun Smart.” Play Sun SmartTM is a leaguewide initiative designed to raise awareness
about the importance of sun safety and skin
cancer prevention. In addition to promoting
the sun safety message, the program
provides skin cancer screenings for all 30
MLB Clubs – players, on-field personnel and
off-field personnel. Hall of Fame catcher
Johnny Bench, a skin cancer survivor, served
as MLB’s 2012 Play Sun Smart national
spokesperson. For more information, visit
MLBCommunity.org.
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Since 2004, through the Professional
Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS),
P.L.A.Y. has used the celebrity appeal of
Major League Baseball, its teams and
players to promote a healthy and active
lifestyle for youth. P.L.A.Y. educates kids
about the dangers of appearance and
performance-enhancing drugs (APEDs) and
addresses the growing epidemic of childhood
obesity. PBATS teams with the Taylor Hooton
Foundation to reinforce its messages. In
2012, P.L.A.Y. events for children ages 8-17
took place in 29 MLB ballparks, as well as
four MiLB ballparks. For more information,
visit pbats.com.
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n April 15, Major League Baseball commemorated Jackie Robinson
Day throughout the League, both on and off the field. All players and
on-field personnel paid tribute to the legendary barrier breaker by
wearing number 42. Clubs observed Jackie Robinson Day with
special pregame ceremonies in their ballparks and featured
Jackie Robinson Day jeweled bases and lineup cards, and
a special video that highlighted Jackie’s story and his
nine values.
To commemorate Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, the
Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program hosted a
youth baseball and softball clinic at Macombs Dam Park
across from Yankee Stadium for 200 boys and girls ages
6-15 from the greater New York City area RBI leagues.
The event featured Jackie’s daughter, Sharon, Hall
of Famer Reggie Jackson, representatives and
players from the New York Yankees and Los
Angeles Angels of Anaheim; former MLB players;
MLB Network Analyst Harold Reynolds; MLB
executives and the Commissioner of the New York
City Department of Parks and Recreation.
The 2012 season welcomed a new national public service
announcement voiced by Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully and
featuring several MLB All-Stars and legends, including Matt Kemp,
Mariano Rivera, Ichiro Suzuki, Ozzie Smith, Frank Robinson,
Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson.
MLB LEGENDS
Commissioner Selig and MLB celebrated Robinson’s longstanding
legacy by retiring Robinson’s number throughout the League in 1997,
and since 2004, MLB has dedicated April 15 as Jackie Robinson Day
in his memory. Robinson played his first Major League game at Ebbets
Field on April 15, 1947 as a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
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Breaking Barriers has reached more than 22 million youth and 2.9
million educators in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. For
more information, visit MLB.com/breakingbarriers.
Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) Scholars visited the Major League
Baseball Network as part of the Foundation’s annual networking
weekend, which culminated with the Foundation’s Annual Awards
Dinner. The scholars received a tour, had lunch and participated in
a Q&A with MLB Network talent. The Jackie Robinson Foundation,
named in honor of the legendary sporting and civil rights icon, provided
scholarships in 2012 for more than 200 students enrolled in 90
colleges and universities around the nation. MLB and the 30 Clubs
sponsored more than 75 Jackie Robinson Scholars. The Foundation
strives to cultivate future leaders who will be ambassadors of Jackie
Robinson’s guiding life tenet, “A life is not important except in its impact
on other lives.” Major League Baseball and its Clubs are longstanding
supporters of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. For more information,
visit jackierobinson.org.
MLB LEGENDS
program developed by Major League Baseball, Scholastic Inc., and
Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s daughter. The program, in its 16th
year, features an essay contest that invites students to submit an essay
about barriers or obstacles they have faced or are facing in their lives,
and how they used the nine values - commitment, citizenship, courage,
determination, excellence, justice, persistence, teamwork and integrity demonstrated by Jackie Robinson to deal with those obstacles. In 2012,
Major League Baseball and Scholastic also expanded the Breaking
Barriers Program to include 9th graders. Major League Baseball and
Scholastic announced Raeya Ponugoti from Indianapolis, Indiana as
the Grand Prize winner from the 4th through 8th grade group, and Peter
Hanhan from Valrico, Florida as the inaugural ninth-grade Grand Prize
winner. Both essays were selected from approximately 6,000 entries.
Grand and first prize winners received a variety of prizes, including a
laptop computer.
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Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life is a national character education
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Major
League Baseball and its Clubs annually
celebrate Roberto Clemente Day to honor the memory
of Roberto Clemente and to recognize each Club’s
nominee of the Roberto Clemente Award presented
by Chevrolet. Each Club conducted an on-field award
presentation for its local Clemente Award nominee.
The 30 Club nominees for the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award
presented by Chevrolet featured nine players selected for the
2012 MLB All-Star Game:
MLB LEGENDS
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Arizona Diamondbacks – Willie Bloomquist
Atlanta Braves – Tim Hudson
Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson*
Boston Red Sox – Jon Lester
Chicago Cubs – David DeJesus
Chicago White Sox – Jake Peavy*
Cincinnati Reds – Todd Frazier
Cleveland Indians – Jason Kipnis
Colorado Rockies – Michael Cuddyer
Detroit Tigers – Miguel Cabrera*
Houston Astros – Wesley Wright
Kansas City Royals – Alex Gordon
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – C.J. Wilson*
Los Angeles Dodgers – Clayton Kershaw*
Miami Marlins – Logan Morrison
Milwaukee Brewers – Rickie Weeks
Minnesota Twins – Justin Morneau
New York Mets – Johan Santana
New York Yankees – Mark Teixeira
Oakland Athletics – Brandon McCarthy
Philadelphia Phillies – Jimmy Rollins
Pittsburgh Pirates – Chris Resop
St. Louis Cardinals – Matt Holliday*
San Diego Padres – Luke Gregerson
San Francisco Giants – Matt Cain*
Seattle Mariners – Felix Hernandez*
Tampa Bay Rays – David Price*
Texas Rangers – Michael Young
Toronto Blue Jays – Ricky Romero
Washington Nationals – Ryan Zimmerman
*2012 MLB All-Star
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983
1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 Clayton KershawDodgers
David OrtizRed Sox
Tim WakefieldRed Sox
Derek Jeter
Yankees
Albert PujolsCardinals
Craig BiggioAstros
Carlos DelgadoMets
John SmoltzBraves
Edgar MartinezMariners
Jamie MoyerMariners
Jim ThomeIndians
Curt Schilling
Diamondbacks
Al Leiter
Mets
Tony Gwynn*Padres
Sammy SosaCubs
Eric DavisOrioles
Kirby Puckett*
Twins
Ozzie Smith* Cardinals
Dave Winfield* Twins
Barry Larkin* Reds Cal Ripken Jr.* Orioles
Harold ReynoldsMariners
Dave Stewart Athletics
Gary Carter* Mets
Dale Murphy Braves
Rick Sutcliffe Cubs
Garry Maddox Phillies
Don Baylor Yankees
Ron Guidry Yankees
Cecil Cooper Brewers
Ken Singleton Orioles
Steve Garvey Dodgers
Phil Niekro* Braves
Andre ThorntonIndians
Greg Luzinski Phillies
Rod Carew* Twins
Pete Rose Reds
Lou Brock* Cardinals
Willie Stargell* Pirates
Al Kaline* Tigers
Brooks Robinson*Orioles
Willie Mays* Giants
* Member of Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF)
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers was announced as the winner of the 2012 Roberto
Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet at the 2012 World Series. The Award was named for the 15time All-Star and Baseball Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while
attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. The Award recognizes the
Major League Baseball player who best represents Clemente’s legacy and the game of baseball
through positive contributions on and off the field.
Clayton and his wife, Ellen, founded Kershaw’s Challenge, a charitable organization that
encourages people to make a difference by giving back to at-risk children and communities
in need. The charity has provided assistance to a variety of organizations, including to
its cornerstone charity, “Arise Africa,” which is helping the Kershaws build and sustain an
orphanage for children in Lusaka, Zambia called “Hope’s Home.” In addition to providing a
safe haven for orphans, Kershaw’s Challenge also seeks to create an emergency fund for the
children, many of whom suffer from diseases and infections related to HIV and AIDS. Each year,
Kershaw and his wife travel to the orphanage to visit with the children and bring awareness to this
issue. He has also co-written a book with Ellen, released in January 2012, entitled, “Arise: Live Out
Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself,” which is about their life together and trips
to Africa. Money raised from the book’s proceeds goes directly to Kershaw’s Challenge for Hope’s Home.
In addition to Hope’s Home, Kershaw’s Challenge has also supported the Peacock Foundation in Los
Angeles, which provides animal-assisted interventions and activities for at-risk youth by partnering with
mental health practitioners, public service agencies, and community organizations. Kershaw’s Challenge
is also involved with Mercy Street in his hometown of Dallas, Texas, providing mentoring, sports and
recreation, vocational and educational opportunities to young people in at-risk communities. For more
MLB LEGENDS
PREVIOUS NATIONAL WINNERS
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YOUTH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL
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Founded in 2006, the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California, has seen nearly 350 players receive college scholarships and
over 100 players drafted. In addition, the Cincinnati Reds Urban Youth Academy will continue to grow, and the launch of the Washington
Nationals Urban Youth Academy is being planned. Additional Academies are located in Houston, Gurabo, Puerto Rico, and New
Orleans. In 2013, the Philadelphia Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy is due to open, and the groundbreaking in Hialeah, Florida for the
Miami-area Urban Youth Academy is set to take place. In addition to constant baseball and softball instruction through daily practices,
workouts, camps, and clinics, the Academy enrolls players in scholastic tutoring and conducts free community events such as MLB
Umpire Camps, coaching clinics, field maintenance seminars, and community fundraisers.
The Breakthrough Series is a joint effort on the part of Major League Baseball and USA Baseball to
promote the involvement and encourage the participation of urban youth in the game of baseball. With
a goal of providing minority youths with professional or collegiate opportunities, the Breakthrough Series
strives to showcase underexposed high school players that may not have the resources to participate in
showcase events or travel competition. Established in 2008, the event has seen over 35% of participants
through 2011 drafted. In 2012, three event alumni were drafted in the first round. The event, hosted by
USA Baseball at the National Training Center in Cary, NC, invited over 80 high school players from 21
states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Over 50 professional scouts and college recruiters attended the fourday event. Players experienced daily presentations from scouts, umpires and executives.
The 6th annual Urban Invitational tournament, a collegiate baseball event that highlights Historically
Black Colleges and Universities, took place in 2012. For the first time the event expanded to six programs
and was held in a Major League stadium, Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros. In addition
to the three days of games, the event included a college fair, battle of the bands, musical performances,
and two games broadcast on MLB Network.
T
2012 RBI for RBI Scholarship Recipients
NAME
Ta’Juan
Dutrieville
Jacob
Gavel
Shannon
Grant
Sixto
Guerrero
Aaron
Lavergne
Drexel
Lindsey
Jeremy
Martinez
Chineka
Mckinnie
Raven
Mosleley
Alexis
Padilla
Quincee
Sylvester
Jayla Vega
LEAGUE
BGC of
Western PA
/Pirates RBI
KCK RBI
(KS)
Phillies RBI
Bradenton
RBI (FL)
Houston RBI
Miami RBI
NY Sandlot
RBI (NYC)
Tampa RBI
Miami RBI
Houston RBI
Tampa RBI
Hoboken RBI
SCHOOL
Slippery
Rock
University
Missouri
State
University
Kutztown
University
University of
Central
Florida
University of
Louisiana
Lafayette
University of
Oregon
Monroe
College
Florida Gulf
Coast
University
Florida A&M
University
Paris (TX)
Jr. College
University of
South
Florida
Farleigh
Dickenson
University
he RBI for RBI Scholarship program provides four-year annual scholarships
of up to $5,000 (totaling $20,000 each) to 12 selected RBI players who
demonstrate academic achievement, leadership skills and financial need
and plan on attending an accredited two-year or four-year college, university,
vocational school or technical school. Since 2008, 54 scholarships have
been awarded.
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oming off the recent success of having 14 alumni selected in the 2012 FirstYear Player Draft, the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program sent a
team of 18-and-under RBI participants from around the country to USA Baseball’s
2012 Tournament of Stars, held June 20-24 at the USA Baseball National Training
Complex in Cary, North Carolina. The team was led by Ernest Radcliffe, manager
of the Union League Boys & Girls Club/Chicago Cubs RBI tournament team.
Each year, USA Baseball, in partnership with seven National Member Organizations
(RBI, AABC, American Legion, Babe Ruth, Dixie, Pony and NABF), organizes the
Tournament of Stars presented by Major League Baseball, the primary vehicle
used by USA Baseball in selecting the 18U national team.
Throughout the five-day event, 144 players from around the country competed in
a championship tournament representing a member organization or as part of the
“at-large” USA Stars team, and participated in the scout/evaluation day dedicated
to evaluation opportunities. Following the gold medal game on Sunday, June 24,
players were selected to remain in Cary to participate in the 18U National Team
Trials & Training and the Prospect Classic. Ronell Coleman of the Chicago White
Sox RBI program was selected to participate in the Team Trials.
T
MLB Pitch Hit & Run is a free national program in which youngsters
ages 7–14 have the opportunity to showcase their skills in pitching,
hitting and running. The program begins around Major League Baseball’s
Opening Day, with nearly 4,000 local competitions hosted throughout
the United States and Canada. Boys and girls participate in separate
divisions, with winners advancing from local competitions to sectional
competitions to MLB team championships in Major League ballparks,
and finally to the national finals at the MLB All-Star Game. For more
information, visit MLB.com/phr or send an email to pitchhitrun@mlb.com.
he National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)/Major League Baseball Official Development Partner relationship was created under Commissioner
Selig’s Initiative for Women and Baseball. As the only professional women’s fastpitch softball league in the United States, National
Pro Fastpitch is home to many former Olympic medalists and collegiate players. These women are accomplished in their sport and
dedicated to serving as role models for America’s young girls. Since 2003, NPF has worked with Major League Baseball to stage
player appearances, clinics, and promotions with various MLB Clubs. Over the 10 years of the relationship, NPF has held clinics and
autograph signings at MLB All-Star FanFest, hosted regular-season games in Minor League Baseball parks and exhibition games
in Major League Baseball parks. In 2011 and 2012, MLB was a proud supporter of NPF’s Back to School Tour – an All-Star series of
exhibition games against college teams across the United States. See profastpitch.com for more information.
Civil Rights Game (CRG) was developed by Major
League Baseball to honor those who fought for the rights for
all people to live equally. The 2012 CRG, which culminated
a two-year stint for the event in Atlanta, featured the Braves
taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field, with the
game broadcast live on MLB Network. Prior to the game the
Braves hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Baseball and the
Civil Rights Movement”, which was streamed on MLB.com,
the MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon, as well as a youth clinic. A pregame on-field ceremony honored the Beacon Award
winners for 2012, which included Earth, Wind and Fire (MLB
Beacon of Change), Brooklyn Dodgers legend Don Newcome
(MLB Beacon of Hope), and U.S. Representative and civil rights
leader John Lewis (MLB Beacon of Life). In 2013, the CRG
moves to Chicago where the White Sox will host the event. For
more information, visit MLB.com/civilrightsgame.
I
n July 2012, MLB and the Chicago White Sox co-hosted the MLB
Diversity Business Summit, a first-of-its-kind diversity employment
and business opportunity trade fair designed to provide job
seekers and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to network directly
with decision-makers for League-wide employment and business
opportunities. The one-day event, held at McCormick Place in
Chicago, provided attendees with unprecedented access to human
resources and procurement executives from all 30 MLB Clubs,
MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, Minor League Baseball
Clubs and MLB’s Central Office. Included in the program were
breakout sessions and workshops for attendees, a roundtable
discussion with MLB Club owners and executives, and a keynote
address from Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. The event, which
attracted more than 800 registrants, concluded with a reception
and a game at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White
Sox. For more information on the 2013 MLB Diversity Business
Summit MLB.com/diversitysummit.
DIVERSITY
The
17
Major League Baseball (MLB), the MLB Players Trust and State Farm
teamed with Habitat for Humanity International to build new homes for
families in Joplin, Missouri and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which were two of the
communities devastated by the tornadoes in April and May of 2011. Nine
homes were built in these communities – five in Joplin; four in Tuscaloosa.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
18
In addition, MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association
responded to the disasters with an immediate contribution of $200,000
toward relief efforts in the Midwest and Southeast that helped treat nearly
6,000 people during the critical days and weeks following the tornadoes.
As a continuation of efforts with the MLBPA, Major League Baseball also
dedicated Game Seven of the 2011 World Series to tornado relief efforts in
the Midwest and Southeast.
I
n its 26th year in 2012, B.A.T. is a unique organization
within the sports industry dedicated to assisting members
of the Baseball Family who are in need. Through charitable
contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals,
B.A.T. strives to provide a means of support to people with
financial, medical or psychological burdens. The majority
of the funds raised by B.A.T. comes from the players, who
contribute through a payroll deduction program.
Baseball Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays and
Tom Seaver joined more than 100 current and former
Major Leaguers at the 23rd annual “Going to Bat for B.A.T.
Fundraising Dinner presented by Natural Balance Pet Foods”
in New York City in 2012. St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran received the Bart Giamatti
Award, which is presented annually to an individual in baseball who best exemplifies the compassion
demonstrated by the late Commissioner. Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones received the Big
B.A.T./Frank Slocum Award, for his financial support and generosity to the B.A.T.
Major League Baseball covers B.A.T.’s operating expenses, ensuring that every dollar raised
is a dollar used to help someone in need. More than $26 million in grants have been awarded
to date, benefiting more than 3,000 members of the Baseball Family. For more information, visit
baseballassistanceteam.com, on Twitter @BATcharity or find them on Facebook.
A
s part of Major League Baseball’s fifth consecutive year of national fundraising and awareness
initiatives for Welcome Back Veterans, all players and coaches wore camouflage logo caps
on Memorial Day (May 28) and Independence Day (July 4) weekends in 2012. Net proceeds
received from the sale of the caps benefited Welcome Back Veterans, an MLB Charities initiative
in partnership with the McCormick Foundation that addresses the needs of returning American
veterans and their families.
Current Welcome Back
Veterans Programs
• Duke University
• Emory University
• Mass General Hospital
• Rush University
Medical Center
• UCLA
• University of Michigan
• Weill Cornell
After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Baseball family came together to help our communities heal,
unite and rebuild. We stood united and vowed “We Shall Not Forget.” Thanks to the leadership and support from
Commissioner Selig and all 30 Clubs, this pledge has been honored each year since that date. On Wednesday,
September 11, 2012, Major League Baseball again renewed this promise. In addition to honoring its pledge, MLB
paid tribute to the men and women who continue to serve their country.
HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
Supported by MLB Advanced Media and MLB Network, Welcome Back Veterans has distributed
more than $13 million in grants to non-profit agencies targeting veterans’ and their families’
greatest needs, with a focus on research and treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). For more information, visit welcomebackveterans.org.
19
Major League Baseball and Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig named the Toronto
Blue Jays as the 2012 recipients of the Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic
Excellence, an award created in 2010 to recognize an outstanding community program
of an MLB Club. The Blue Jays were acknowledged for the “Toronto Blue Jays Baseball
Academy,” a series of initiatives to help
support youth across Canada and provide
them with opportunities on and off the field
of play. The Jays Care Foundation, the
official charity of the Toronto Blue Jays,
received a $10,000 grant from Major
League Baseball as part of this recognition.
GIVING
20
The Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance
(MLB-DDA), a partnership between MLB and the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID), leverages the
influence of baseball in the Dominican Republic. The MLB-DDA
integrates the sport with the work of non-profit organizations in
order to carry out community development projects. Three specific
projects were the focus of the MLB-DDA in 2012, centering on
education, health, youth and economic development. These efforts
included the contributions of the Cleveland Indians and their former
manager, Manny Acta, as well as All-Star relief pitcher Rafael
Soriano. To date, the MLB-DDA incentive fund has leveraged nearly
$2 million through six Major League Clubs, six players and the MLB
Players Trust.
GIVING
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
T
he Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) is a joint initiative between
the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League
Baseball designed to promote the growth of youth baseball and softball
throughout the world by awarding grants to support field renovation
and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coaches
training materials and other select program expenses. Since its
formation by MLB and the MLBPA in 1999, BTF has awarded over
665 grants totaling more than $23 million to non-profit and tax-exempt
organizations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean,
Europe, Africa and Asia. Approximately 325,000 youth players have
benefited from programs and facilities supported by the fund. BTF
also facilitates league-wide initiatives including the collection and
distribution of new and gently used equipment to organizations in need
as well as field maintenance education clinics. For more information,
visit baseballtomorrowfund.com and follow BTF on Facebook, Twitter
and MLBlogs.
S
ocial responsibility is one of the main tenets of Major League
Baseball’s operations in the Dominican Republic, and serves as
the impetus for many projects that give back to a country that has
produced many Major League players, including some of the game’s
greats. Major League Baseball Latin America, located in Santo
Domingo, coordinates with MLB Clubs, executives and players to
implement sustainable development projects and programs aimed
at improving education and other worthy efforts in local Dominican
communities. In 2012, the office coordinated 13 community projects
that served more than 600 children. In addition, the office also
facilitated 14 team and player community related events, impacting
an additional 900 boys and girls in the Dominican Republic.
21
$13,470,656
GIVING
22
Access Intelligence Albany State University American Cancer Society American Diabetes Foundation American Sportscasters Association Arizona Diamondbacks
Foundation Arizona Major League Alumni Association Arizona RBI Arizona State University Asociación Major League Baseball (DR) Athletes for Hope Autism
Speaks Autry National Center Baseball Assistance Team, Inc. Baseball Writers Association (BBWAA) Beyond Sport Limited BGC of Central Arkansas BGC of
Greater Kansas City (KCMO) BGC of Greater Milwaukee BGC of Venice Big Brothers Big Sisters of NY Big Shoulders Fund Binghamton University Black Agency
Executives Black Coaches & Administrators Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Ohio Boys & Girls Clubs of Lawrence Boys & Girls Clubs of Phoenix Boys & Girls Clubs
of Topeka Brewers Community Foundation Bucknell University Cal State University - Dominguez California University of Pennsylvania Campaign for Tobacco
Free Kids Center for Security Charleston RBI Chattanooga RBI Children’s Dream Fund Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Cincinnati Reds RBI Citadel University
City of Hope Claflin University COA Youth & Family Centers College Baseball Foundation Congressional Hispanic Caucus Coro Southern California CUNY Baruch
Dana Farber Cancer Institute David and Brett Enterprises Detroit Arsenal RBI Detroit RBI Dream Center DRSEA Drug Free AZ.org Eastern Michigan University
Executive Women International Exp USO Dinner Fellowship Open First Methodist Church Fisher College Flight 93 National Memorial Florence Crittenton Florida
Agricultural & Mechanical University Florida International University For the City Network - RBI Austin Giants Community Fund Girl Scout Council of SW
Connecticut GLAAD GLSEN Grand Canyon Council BSA Greater North Houston Youth Alliance Habitat for Humanity Hampton Roads RBI Harlem RBI Hillsborough
Community College Hoboken RBI HOBY Hope Shines for Shannon Hospice of Northern Colorado Hospice of Northwest Ohio Houston RBI Hunter College HS Alumni
Foundation Huntington Youth Baseball League Iona College Irvine Valley College J Crasnick/Beaton Fund Jackie Robinson Foundation Jackie Robinson Park
Conservancy Jewish Museum Milwaukee Johnson County Community College Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Kentucky State University Kingsborough
Community College Kutztown University LA RBI Lamar University Life Animal Rescue Life with Cancer Center Los Amigos Hight School Los Angeles Sports
Council Foundation Making a Difference Women Awareness March of Dimes Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Marlins RBI Miami-Dade College Mike McMorris
Cystic Fibrosis Mississippi RBI MLB Players Trust MLBPAA Legends Dinner Montclair State University Morehouse College Mount Holyoke College NAAAHRGNY Chapter NACD Northwest Chapter National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial National Academy of Television National Consortium for Academics National Minority
Supplier Development National September 11 Memorial Negro Leagues Baseball Museum New York Urban League New York Yankees Foundation NewBay Media
NKF Benefit Nobu Yamauchi RBI League NSSA NYC Police Foundation Oakland RBI Old Dominion College Ormond Beach Friends of Recreation Inc. Paris Junior
College Parkways Foundation c/o Chicago Park Dis. PBATS Penn State Greater Allegheny Philadelphia Youth Organization Pittsburgh RBI Pius XI High School
Play Ball Indiana RBI Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation Prostate Cancer Foundation Providence RBI RBI Atlanta - Pattillo Rec Hofstra Law School Benefit
Red Sox Foundation RBI Robin Hood Events Associates Robinson Cano’s RC24 Foundation Rock and Wrap it Up Rod Beaton Fund S.A.F.E. SABR Safe & Sound Inc
St Francis Children’s Center St Marks Church in the Bowery St. Joseph’s University Stand Up To Cancer Starlight Children’s Foundation Street & Smith’s Sport
Group SUNY New Paltz Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation T Howard Foundation Tampa RBI Talor Hooton Foundation The Advertising Council The ALS
Association The American Ireland Fund The Gary Carter Foundation The Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Mayflower
Retirement Center The Sports Museum of New England The V Foundation Golf Benefit Toronto Maple Leaf Baseball Club Tougaloo College True Divine Community
Development - River Region RBI Tuskegee University Twins RBI United Community Centers RBI University of California - Los Angeles University of Central
Missouri University of Chicago University of Florida University of Houston Downtown University of Minnesota University of Texas at San Antonio University of
West Florida USAG Ft Leavenworth CYS Service Valencia Community College Venice Family Clinic Virginia State University Winfield Awards WISE Wittenberg
University Woman’s Business Enterprise Women’s Sports Foundation World Baseball Outreach RBI World Children’s Baseball Fair YMCA of Middle Tennessee
(Partial List)
MLB All-Star Week Community Events
Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals hosted a series of community and charitable initiatives
and activities leading up to the 83rd MLB All-Star Game that left a lasting legacy in the Kansas City community.
MLB All-Star Summer activities in 2012 supported charitable organizations and initiatives including Stand
Up To Cancer, The Prostate Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Reviving Baseball in Inner
Cities, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Make-A-Wish Foundation, among others.
MLB and the Royals donated nearly $4 million through MLB Charities and the Kansas City Royals Foundation
to MLB All-Star projects in the greater Kansas City area and beyond. The funds, raised from Gatorade AllStar Workout Day, were donated to a variety of local and national charities.
23
ALL STAR
Major
League Baseball, the Major League
Baseball Players Trust, State Farm, and Holiday
Inn® teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build
nine new homes for families in Joplin, Mo., and
Tuscaloosa, Ala., two of the communities devastated
by tornadoes in April and May of 2011. Two of the
nine homes were framed during All-Star Week in
a section of the parking lot at Kauffman Stadium,
and the build sites were visited by Commissioner
Selig and American and National League All-Stars.
The All-Star Build sites at Kauffman Stadium were
also visited by participants in the Taco Bell All-Star
Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, and Kansas City
Royals legends. In addition to the two homes that
were framed in Kansas City, five of the nine homes
had already been completed, and construction on
the final two concluded in the fall of 2012.
24
O
Thanks to pledges from fans and support provided by MLB partners including Nike,
Aquafina, Bayer Advanced Aspirin, Gatorade, One A Day and Scotts, the event set a
new All-Star Charity Race fundraising record of over $300,000, which was donated
in equal shares to the three benefiting charities The Prostate Cancer Foundation,
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Greater Kansas City, and Stand Up To Cancer.
ALL STAR
ver 8,000 participants of all ages raced through the
streets of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday,
July 8 for the third MLB All-Star Charity 5K & Fun
Run. Fans showed their All-Star allegiance by proudly
wearing their chosen “I Run For The NL” or “I Run For
The AL” t-shirts. Hall of Famer and All-Star Summer
Ambassador George Brett served as the Official Race
Starter, and Kansas City Royals alum and 5-time AllStar Mike Sweeney was a Race Team Captain.
25
ALL STAR
26
2012
T
2012
he fourth annual Jr. RBI Classic consisted
of eight baseball and four softball teams
of 11-12 year olds. Participants included
teams from across the United Sates and
the first international team of participants
from Canada. Tournament games were
held at youth fields in the greater Kansas
City area. The Jr. RBI playing divisions for
ages 5-12 are part of the Reviving Baseball
in Inner Cities (RBI) program designed
to provide underserved youth with an
opportunity to play baseball and softball,
promote character development, encourage
academic success, and teach the value of
teamwork. Major League Baseball supplied
the teams with uniforms, equipment and AllStar apparel. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
supported the 2012 Jr. RBI Classic with skills
clinics in baseball and softball at the newly
renovated Satchel Paige Stadium in
Kansas City. Additionally, the young
athletes attended several All-Star events
including MLB All-Star FanFest, the XM AllStar Futures Game, the Taco Bell All-Star
Legends & Celebrity Softball Game and the
State Farm Home Run Derby, and met MLB
All-Star players and celebrities.
and the Royals, in partnership with Starlight
Children’s Foundation, purchased a Starlight Fun Center for
Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. The Fun Center
includes a Nintendo gaming system, DVD player and flat
screen monitor that rolls up to the side of young patients’
beds or anywhere in hospital settings. For more information,
visit starlight.org.
ALL STAR
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
S
pecial needs children from Little League’s
Challenger and PONY Baseball Softball Champions
divisions played a one-inning game on the outfield
grass of Kauffman Stadium. Royals staff
volunteered for the event and provided tickets
to participants and their families to attend
MLB All-Star FanFest.
MLB
27
from Magical Builders, made renovations to Operation
Breakthrough, the largest early education childcare and
social service facility in Missouri, serving more than 450
children daily in Kansas City. Classroom environments were
remodeled helping Operation Breakthrough improve its
afterschool and summer enrichment programs for low-income
families. Renovations made to the facility’s infrastructure
included replacing ceilings, drywall, glass and windows,
installing new walls and doors, painting and electrical work
and sprinkler relocation. Commissioner Selig, Royals CEO
David Glass and President Dan Glass, along with Royals
Hall of Famer and All-Star Ambassador George Brett were
on hand to celebrate the completion of the renovations. In
addition to childcare, Operation Breakthrough offers on-site
health care for children and parents, dental care, mental
health services, speech and occupational therapy, tutoring and
mentoring, a food pantry, nutrition assistance through an onsite WIC office, and case management. For more information,
visit operationbreakthrough.org.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ALL STAR
28
Major League Baseball and the Royals, with assistance
W
“They Were All-Stars”
ith help from MLB All-Star Legacy funds, the Negro Leagues
Baseball Museum created a new, dynamic traveling exhibit displaying
historical photos, video and text showcasing former Negro Leagues
players who became MLB All-Stars after the integration of baseball
in 1947. A portion of the exhibit will be integrated into the permanent
“Major League Baseball” section of the museum, where fans can learn
about legendary players such as Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron and
Willie Mays, while also gaining an understanding of the impact baseball
has had as a tool for social change. The Negro Leagues Baseball
Museum is a privately funded, non-profit organization dedicated to
preserving the rich history of African Americans in baseball, with
exhibits and artifacts dating from the late 1800s through the 1960s. For
more information, visit nlbm.com.
R E N O V A T I O
R
O N
N
Major League Baseball and the Royals, with assistance from
Magical Builders, completed a comprehensive renovation of the
interior of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, newly
named “Independence Unit”. Improvements to the building
included new classrooms, restrooms, furniture throughout the club
and an improved HVAC system. The project brought the facility into
alignment with state requirements, making the Independence Unit
annually eligible for subsidies to provide school-aged child care
and food subsidies from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. As a result of the improvements, total membership is
expected to grow by 60% by 2015. The Scotts Company contributed
landscaping products and materials. The renovations were
revealed at a ceremony attended by MLB Executive Vice President
Tim Brosnan, Royals CEO David Glass, President Dan Glass and
Baseball Hall of Famer and 2012 MLB All-Star Ambassador George
Brett. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City serves
nearly 8,000 youth members, ages 5 to 18, at five communitybased sites and three youth baseball facilities located throughout
the Kansas City metropolitan area. For more information,
visit bgc-gkc.org
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
of
GREATER KANSAS CITY,
GREATER
CITY, LESLIE
LESLIE UNIT
UNIT
A
ALL STAR
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
BOYS
CLUB
s an extension of MLB’s commitment to the Welcome Back
Veterans initiative (welcomebackveterans.org), renovations were
made to the Kansas City VA Honor Annex, which provides special
services for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
and female veterans. Renovations, led by the national non-profit
Rebuilding Together, included creating family-friendly, baseballthemed play areas in the waiting area for patients’ children,
improving aesthetics of the clinic offices and meetings areas, and
enhancing the landscape surrounding the facility, which was added
to the Kansas City VA Medical Center system in 2012. The interior
work to the building benefits veterans of all eras involved in the
PTSD Outpatient Treatment Program and other Annex programs.
Bank of America supported the project by committing a donation
and volunteers. MLB Executive Vice President Tim Brosnan,
Royals CEO David Glass and President Dan Glass and Royals
Hall of Famer and All-Star Ambassador George Brett attended a
ceremony marking the completion of the renovations. The Scotts
Company has also supported renovations with landscape materials
and product donations. The Kansas City VA Medical Center, which
opened in 1952, is a referral medical center providing medical care
to approximately 45,000 veterans from five different states each
year. For more information, visit kansascity.va.gov
29
Youth Field Renovations, Kansas City, Missouri
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
of
GREATER KANSAS CITY, LESLIE UNIT
R E N O V A T I O N
Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department: Mulkey Square Park and Satchel Paige
Stadium. Renovations included the installation of new irrigation systems and scoreboard,
infield and outfield maintenance, fencing construction and installation, backstops,
dugouts and other improvements to the general facility surrounding each field. The
fields will be regularly used by local Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) leagues
and Guadalupe Center Youth Baseball, among others. During 2012 MLB All-Star Week,
Satchel Paige Stadium hosted the opening ceremonies of the Jr. RBI Classic, an event
designed to provide hundreds of young RBI baseball and softball players an opportunity
to participate in MLB All-Star Week.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ALL STAR
30
MLB All-Star Legacy funding helped renovate two baseball fields owned by the
Cleveland Park
Field Renovations
& Dedication
Renovations at Cleveland Park, which serves
nearly 800 players in the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Greater Kansas City RBI league, were unveiled
during All-Star Week. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund
awarded a grant of $50,000 to provide funding for
the renovations, which included infield mix, laser
grading and drainage surrounding the four fields at
the park. The MO-KAN Chapter of the Sports Turf
Managers Association provided volunteer labor to
complete the project.
total of 25 high school seniors as MLB-Royals All-Star
R
E N O V A T I O N
Scholars, five recipients each year. The students are
selected from the 20/20 Leadership program, which
serves students from moderate- to low-income families to
educate and expose them to community issues, develop
personal and leadership skills and build community-wide
relationships. The selected students will have the opportunity
for a $2,500 per year scholarship, renewable up to
four years. The program recipients are selected based on
a number of criteria, including academic
achievement and attendance record,
financial need and demonstrated
community involvement. For more
information, visit royals.com/community.
A
s part of Major League Baseball’s ongoing commitment to
environmental stewardship, MLB worked closely with the Royals, the
Natural Resources Defense Council and local community partners to
help ensure that the 2012 MLB All-Star Week was environmentally
proactive. This was the fifth MLB All-Star Week during which MLB and
the NRDC worked together to implement measures both in-stadium
and at supporting events. The initiative includes offsetting the energy
and water usage at ballpark events with Green-e Certified Renewable
Energy Credits and water restoration credits, implementing prominent
recycling programs, and prioritizing environmental attributes when
selecting materials for various community refurbishment projects. For
more information, visit nrdc.org.
ALL STAR
GREATER
KANSAS
CITY,
LESLIE
UNIT
MLB-Royals All-Star
Scholars
program
will select
a
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
All-Star Scholars
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
of
Beginning in 2012 and continuing
through 2016, the
31
Major League Baseball hosted the 2012 Breaking Barriers Essay Contest
grand prize winner, Raeya Ponugoti, a fifth-grader from Indianapolis, Indiana
during All-Star Week. Raeya’s winning essay was chosen from thousands
of entries from across the country and Canada. For more information, visit
MLB.com/breakingbarriers.
ALL STAR
32
MLB hosted six young people with life-threatening illnesses from the Make-A-
Wish Foundation whose wish was to attend the MLB All-Star Game. The children
met Commissioner Selig, All-Star and Futures Game players, MLB legends,
mascots and celebrities, and attended a special VIP reception, the MLB All-Star
FanFest, SiriusXM Satellite Futures Game, State Farm Home Run Derby and
All-Star Game. Since 2000, MLB has granted 76 wishes to attend the All-Star
Game and World Series. For more information, visit wish.org.
Major League Baseball partners with TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol
Management) Coalition for the Responsibility Has Its Rewards program at all
30 ballparks. The promotion aims to increase awareness of the importance of
responsible drinking and designating a sober driver when traveling to and from
the ballpark. One Designated Driver for the season is selected from each Club
at the end of the season out of all fans who signed up for the program. These
30 fans are eligible for the sweepstakes grand prize – tickets to a World Series
game. The two Designated Drivers for the season whose Clubs advance to the
World Series win two tickets each for their Club’s first home game of the Series.
One of the remaining 28 Designated Drivers for the season whose Club does not
advance to the World Series is selected to win a trip to the following year’s All-Star Game. TEAM and several
MLB Clubs have helped to increase the number of fans who participate in designated driver programs through
Designated Driver Challenges – season-long competitions where rival Clubs track the number of fans who pledge
to be designated drivers. For more information, visit teamcoalition.org.
MLB World Series Community Events
Major League Baseball dedicated Games One through Four of the 2012 World Series to highlighting MLB
charitable partners and signature programs in order to raise awareness for important community causes.
Advancing the fight against cancer with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) was the focus during Game One;
honoring veterans and their families through Welcome Back Veterans during Game Two; supporting youth,
especially those in underserved communities, with MLB youth programs (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities,
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Breaking Barriers) during Game Three; and celebrating community
service with Habitat for Humanity during Game Four. The Series also recognized Designated Drivers, and
included Fun Center donations and green initiatives.
33
GAME 1
WORLD SERIES EVENTS
Natural
Resources
34
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M
Advancing the Fight Against Cancer
ame One of the 2012 World Series
highlighted Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), as
MLB promoted the importance of advancing
the fight against cancer. Major League
Baseball dedicated an in-game moment
to the cause by asking players and fans to
stand in unison in honor of someone they
knew affected by cancer. Prior to the game,
MLB, SU2C and representatives from the
San Francisco Giants visited patients at the
Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco
ajor League Baseball dedicated
and presented them with a Starlight Fun
Games One through Four of the 2012
Center mobile entertainment unit.
World Series to highlighting MLB
charitable partners and signature
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the fight against cancer with Stand Up
To Cancer (SU2C) was the focus during
Game One; honoring veterans and
their families through Welcome Back
Veterans during Game Two; supporting
youth, especially those in underserved
communities, with MLB youth programs
(Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, &
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and
Breaking Barriers) during Game Three;
and celebrating community service with
Habitat for Humanity during Game Four.
GAME 1
VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES
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WORLD SERIES EVENTS
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35
GAME 3
WORLD SERIES EVENTS
Natural
36
G
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REVIVING BASBALL IN INNER CITIES
ame Three was dedicated to youth, particularly
those in underserved communities who are reached
through the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI)
and Breaking Barriers MLB programs, and also the
League’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of
America (BGCA). During an on-field ceremony prior
to Game Three, youth from all three programs were
recognized. Prior to the game, hundreds of young
ajor Leaguepeople
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highlightinginitiative
MLB dedicated to youth fitness,
charitable partners
and boys
signature
encouraging
and girls ages 6 to 12 to increase
programs in ordertheir
to raise
awareness
for nutrition education through
overall
fitness and
important community
causes.
Advancing
physical
activity
while learning the fundamental skills
the fight against ofcancer
withand
Stand
Up through fun and engaging
baseball
softball
To Cancer (SU2C)
was theThe
focus
during
activities.
event
was administered by the Cal
Game One; honoring
veterans
and
Ripken, Sr.
Foundation.
their families through Welcome Back
Veterans during Game Two; supporting
youth, especially those in underserved
communities, with MLB youth programs
(Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, &
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and
Breaking Barriers) during Game Three;
and celebrating community service with
Habitat for Humanity during Game Four.
GAME 1
GAME 4
G
ame One of the 2012 World Series highlighted Stand Up To
Cancer (SU2C), as MLB promoted the importance of advancing
the fight against cancer. Major League Baseball dedicated an ingame moment to the cause by asking players and fans to stand in
unison in honor of someone they knew affected by cancer. Prior
to the game, MLB, SU2C and representatives from the San Francisco Giants members of the MLB and SU2C family visited young
patients at the Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco and
presented them with a Starlight Fun Center mobile entertainment
unit.
ame Four was dedicated to celebrating the work of Habitat for
Humanity, a long-time partner of MLB. Baseball has continued to
promote the organization’s efforts, most recently in the construction
of new homes for low-income families in Joplin, Missouri and
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which were two of the communities
devastated by tornadoes in April and May of 2011. Major
League Baseball made a $10,000 contribution to Detroit Habitat
for Humanity.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Game One :
G
Advancing the Fight Against Cancer: Stand Up To Cancer
WORLD SERIES EVENTS
NL-Wednesday, OCT 24
37
I
n 2012, the MLB Fan Cave returned for a second season.
Located in the heart of Greenwich Village in New York
City, the MLB Fan Cave hosted MLB player and celebrity
appearances, a concert series, fan events and a group of
die-hard baseball fans who were competing against one
another to watch every game of the 2012 season. In the end,
San Francisco Giants fan Ashley Chavez was crowned the
“Ultimate Cave Dweller” before Game 4 of the World Series.
Over the past two seasons, Baseball’s top players
including David Ortiz, Robinson Cano, Matt Kemp,
Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper – have visited the MLB
Fan Cave to interact with fans both in person and via social
media and to participate in video features that can be found
on MLBFanCave.com. Additionally, the MLBFanCave.com
Concert Series has featured a wide range of musical acts
including OneRepublic, The All-American Rejects, Daughtry,
Nas, Jason Aldean, Ziggy Marley, The Avett Brothers and
more.
Community events at the MLB Fan Cave in 2012 included:
• April 19 Boys & Girls Clubs of America set a new
record for the Guinness Book of World Records for “Most
Participants in Multiple Games of Tag within a 24-Hour
Period at Multiple Venues” with 20,541
• December 13 CC Sabathia Boys & Girls Club Holiday
Party
• December 14 MLB Annual Winter Wishes Party
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Winter
Wishes
VOLUNTEERING
S
ince 2002, Major League Baseball
has participated in the NY Cares
Winter Wishes program by providing
gifts for underserved children. In
2012, MLB employees granted the
wishes of children from the Boys &
Girls Club of Clifton, New Jersey,
who were affected by Hurricane
Sandy. The MLB Fan Cave and Major
League Baseball played host to 35
children from the Club. The kids were
bussed to the Cave and treated to a
night of celebration and holiday spirit.
The evening included a dinner, posing
with the World Series trophy, meeting
a policeman and his police dog, trying
on fire gear and taking pictures with
Mr. Met and Santa Claus.
39
Arizona Diamondbacks
Back-to-School Challenge
CLUB ACTIVITIES-EDUCATION
40
The D-backs Back-To-School Challenge is part of the organization’s overall charitable efforts. In early 2012,
the team and its charitable arm, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, surpassed $30 million in combined
donations since its inception in 1998. With nearly 600 submissions from Arizona schools, the winning
grants came from all around the state of Arizona and funded projects ranging from school improvements
to innovative educational programs. The program donated $250,000 to 51 Valley schools over a period
of nine months. Winning schools used the grant money to satisfy an array of needs such as automatic
doors for kids with disabilities and computer lab upgrades. Nutrition and fitness projects included new and
revitalized campus gardens to promote healthy eating and feature a rainwater harvesting system. Thirtyone schools were awarded grants. Each winning school will be honored and receive a check on the field at
a 2013 D-backs game at Chase Field. The D-backs will donate 1,000 tickets for students, parents, teachers
and staff to attend the game.
Atlanta Braves
Strike Out Bullying Among Youth
The Atlanta Braves teamed up with the Anti-Defamation League (A.D.L.) to “Strike Out Bullying
Among Youth” during the 2012 season. Braves players participated in several “No Place For Hate”
anti-bullying rallies. They were also featured in an anti-bullying PSA in English and Spanish that aired in
schools across Georgia and the southeast reaching thousands of students. To culminate the initiative, a
“No Place For Hate” anti-bullying rally was held at Turner Field and featured messages from Brian Jordan,
former Braves outfielder and author of “Time Out For Bullies”, 10-year-old performer and anti-bullying
advocate Young Meo and A.D.L. representatives. Youth of all ages took a pledge to strike out bullying at the
pre-game rally as the Braves and A.D.L. asked all kids to help make their schools no place for hate.
Baltimore Orioles
Summer Reading Club
The Orioles once again partnered with Maryland Public Libraries to present their annual Summer Reading Club
to over 150,000 young readers at more than 180 Maryland public library branches. The 2012 program, titled
“Dream Big,” was designed to encourage and reward area youth who committed to reading throughout
the summer. Beginning in June, children from elementary school through high school were able to
register at any Maryland Public Library and receive a reading log that guided them through the Summer
Reading Program. Kids who completed the reading log received prizes including Orioles game tickets.
The Orioles donated more than 7,000 tickets to program participants for their August 10 game. In addition
to the Summer Reading Program, the Orioles participated in a variety of youth initiatives including the
Tuttle Elementary School Turtle’s Walk to help students raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation, and a baseball clinic at Ed Smith Stadium with various Orioles staff, players and coaches for 40
youth from the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox Scholars program, launched in 2003, provides scholarships and mentoring for academically
talented and financially challenged middle school students from Boston Public Schools. Red Sox Scholars
is the educational cornerstone of the Red Sox Foundation, the team charity of the Boston Red Sox.
There are currently 220 Red Sox Scholars ranging from 7th graders to juniors in college. The Red Sox
Foundation commits to funding up to $10,000 in college scholarships for each new Scholar. It also
provides access to mentoring from Red Sox Foundation staff members, tutoring, and other after-school
and summer enrichment activities in addition to assistance with the college application process. In 2010,
the Red Sox Scholars program was recognized by Major League Baseball as the inaugural recipient of the
Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.
Chicago Cubs
Cubs Classroom
Through a gift from Chicago Cubs Charities, the Chicago Cubs dedicated the “Cubs Classroom” at the brand new
Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in 2012. The new “Cubs Classroom” will serve as the focal point for all of
the hospital’s education-based programming, providing a wide variety of learning and enrichment activities
to keep children engaged while in the hospital. The classroom will also provide space for volunteer tutors
and teachers to help children with their schoolwork and offer grade-appropriate enrichment activities such
as science experiments, computer games, art and multimedia projects, reading, and resources to teach
kids about their own health and medical care. Interactive technology-based learning will be a primary
focus. Patients will have access to a bank of computers, video resources, educational software and a
vast library of multilingual books for all age levels. In addition, through a grant from Cubs Care, the hospital
will continue to promote literacy throughout the hospital, including the “Catch the Reading Bug” and “Bedtime
Stories” programs. The classroom is expected to welcome an estimated 36,000 visitors each year.
Chicago White Sox
Stop Bullying
The White Sox anti-bullying effort is linked with the “Stop Bullying” campaign created by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services under the Obama administration. That campaign, at stopbullying.gov, includes
information on cyberbullying and bullying aimed at LGBT youths and others. It also links to resources on
how to prevent and respond to bullying. The White Sox continued the anti-bullying campaign throughout
the 2012 baseball season, distributing information on the issue via the White Sox Kids Club.
As part of the “Stop Bullying” campaign White Sox players filmed a video ad against bullying that’s
featured at whitesox.com/stopbullying, and made appearances at local youth schools and organizations
to promote the movement. The players explained to the children the negative impact of bullying and what
kinds of affects bullying can have on individuals. Before the players left, they had the children recite a pledge
to make a stand against bullying.
Red Sox Scholars
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Cincinnati Reds
Reds Hall of Fame &Museum
42
The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum offers six education programs. Students who participate in
these “Extra Innings” programs discover how baseball plays a role in mathematics, science, and social
studies curricula. Each area gives the students experiment-based, hands-on activities focused around
typical classroom learning material. The programs are designed to incorporate the Common Core set of
academic content standards and target grades ranging from pre-kindergarten through high school. These
programs are also correlated to national, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana testing standards. Beginning in
2011, the Reds Hall of Fame extended the program as part of an outreach program, in which a museum
educator travels to schools to present the program. The Reds Hall of Fame saw a steady increase in school
group attendance from 2007-2012, with 2012 on-site attendance numbers 55% higher than those in 2007.
During the 2012 fiscal year, over 10,000 students from 140 different schools participated in the Cincinnati Reds
Hall of Fame and Museum on-site and outreach programs.
Cleveland Indians
High Achievers Program
The Cleveland Indians High Achievers program is a free program for students K-12 to reward them for
performing well in school. Parents registered their children by logging on to www.indians.com/highachiever.
Participants received a membership letter and card with a unique membership number used when
submitting report card and reading information. Parents submitted report cards and reading forms
(book title, author, number of pages, and brief summary of book) throughout the season. Students were
rewarded with two tickets per criteria achieved—i.e. submit two report cards and receive four tickets.
Members who submitted were considered “active” members and also received a voucher good for one free
soda at a concession stand at Progressive Field and one free High Achiever t-shirt. Those active members
entered into drawings to win experience packages, player meet and greets, spots on the Kids Starting Lineup
and more.
Colorado Rockies
Make an Impact Program
The Colorado Rockies Make an Impact program is a free program that brings the excitement of the Colorado
Rockies to local elementary schools by holding a “Rockies School Rally.” This school-wide assembly is a
character education program, designed to entertain students while showing them how to make an impact
on their lives and communities by teaching them the importance of staying in school, refusing drugs,
getting involved and respecting others. The interactive program includes a video presentation that
features positive messages from Rockies players, a visit from the Rockies mascot, Dinger, and prizes for
all students.
The program is designed for grades K-6. A take-home lesson is sent home with each student. This assignment
is designed to create dialogue between parents and their children about the messages of the program. After this
lesson is completed by the student and signed by an adult, the student is able to turn it in and receive a poster along
with a bookmark courtesy of the Colorado Rockies. In addition to the assembly, there is also a classroom decoration
contest. The winning class receives a visit from the team mascot immediately following the program.
Detroit Tigers
Houston Astros
Born to Wynn Program
Excellence, diligence and teamwork are all skills learned through sports and are also fundamental building
blocks for success. For the second summer in a row, the Astros conducted the “Born to Wynn” program
at the Astros Urban Youth Academy. The program’s simple tag line - Believe it. Own it. Walk into it. encourages and empowers youth players to believe in themselves and use key life skills on and off the
field to succeed.
By tapping into the Major League Baseball experiences of Jimmy Wynn and other current and former
Astros players, “Born to Wynn” focuses on developing leadership and life skills. The lessons emphasize
key leadership qualities - character, attitude, skills, knowledge, drive and excellence. Sessions took place
each Monday in June in conjunction with the Academy’s four-week summer camp. Former Astros player Jimmy
Wynn and current players Justin Maxwell and Wesley Wright provided baseball instruction and shared life lessons.
Kansas City Royals
MLB-Royals All-Star Scholars
Beginning in 2012, five high school seniors were identified as MLB-Royals All-Star Scholars. The students
were selected from the 20/20 Leadership program, which serves students from moderate- to low-income
families to educate and expose them to community issues, develop personal and leadership skills and
build community-wide relationships. The students have the opportunity for a $2,500 per-year scholarship,
renewable up to four years. The inaugural scholarship winners were announced in May and were
recognized during All-Star Week in Kansas City.
Strike Out Bullying & G.R.E.A.T.
In 2012 the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Tigers Foundation partnered with Michigan KIDS, Inc., to develop a
state-wide anti-bullying program. The program was established to provide students and educators with
the proper tools to address bullying in schools. With All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder serving as the
program’s spokesman, a baseball-themed educational supplement was developed and distributed to over
140,000 students throughout Michigan. As a result, thousands of students signed the “Tigers Pledge to
Stop Bullying”, and one school earned the right to host a Tigers player and members of the U.S. Attorney’s
Office for a school assembly.
43
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Angels Scholars
44
In 2012, the Angels and the Angels Baseball Foundation proudly recognized a new class of Angels Scholars.
Each school in Orange County offering the Advancement Via Individual Determination program (A.V.I.D.)
in eighth grade nominated one student for the Angels Scholars scholarship. In addition to high academic
and civic achievements, students completed an application with one short essay. Financial stability of
the applicant was also considered. After all applications were reviewed, students whose applications
were selected were interviewed by the committee at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. A task force comprised
of members of the Orange County Office of Education, A.V.I.D. and the Angels Baseball Foundation
selected the Angels Scholars. The task force took into account grades, application quality, financial need
and the students’ social and academic achievements.
Angels leadership and representatives from the Orange County Department of Education and the A.V.I.D. program
honored the Scholars during a pregame ceremony. Angels Scholars has supported 47 students in their goals to obtain
a bachelor’s degree.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Team Think Blue Program
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers Dream Foundation, and the Los Angeles Times in Education joined forces
for the 2011-2012 Team Think Blue program, which helps students throughout Los Angeles, Riverside, San
Bernardino, Ventura and Orange counties improve their literacy and language arts while encouraging the
development of a healthy and active lifestyle. Over 200,000 students, grades 4-12, have participated in
the Team Think Blue program.
As part of the program, teachers received a newspaper-based teaching guide and student copies of the
Los Angeles Times were delivered to their classroom. Participating students and classrooms entered an
art and essay contest for a chance to win Dodgers tickets. Student winners from each grade level were recognized at an awards luncheon held at Dodger Stadium with Dodgers alumnus Wes Parker on hand to present
awards to the youth. All winners received four tickets to a Dodgers game and all first-place winners from each grade
level were recognized on-field in a pre-game ceremony at a Dodgers home game.
Miami Marlins
Marlins Ayudan School Partership Program
In the last three years, the Miami Marlins front-office volunteer program, “Marlins Ayudan”, has had tremendous
impact throughout Miami Dade County Public Schools to solidify the team’s commitment to education. The
“Marlins Ayudan School Partnership” program allows for a targeted approach to achieving its goal to directly
impact the education of youth in Miami Dade County Public Schools. The Marlins seek to address each of
its partner school’s specific areas of need by using individual and collective strengths to make a difference.
They are guided by focused involvement with students, faculty and staff at eight pre-selected partner
schools, which were selected by an application process in Spring 2012 and led by the following principles:
• Work with partner schools in identifying specific areas of greatest need
• Develop a measurable game plan to address those needs
• Implement the game plan by utilizing Marlins Ayudan teams’ individual and collective strengths
• Leave a lasting legacy at each partner school
Milwaukee Brewers
S.C.O.R.E. (School, Community, Opportunities, Role models and Excellence) is the Milwaukee Brewers
Baseball Club’s youth education and recreation initiative. S.C.O.R.E. is designed for players, alumni and
front office personnel to increase the impact of the team’s youth outreach efforts through school visits and
assemblies. Additionally, the Brewers participated in “S.C.O.R.E. for Excellence Day”, a joint venture with
local schools designed to motivate middle school students to excel in academics, attitude and attendance.
Brewers players, coaches and front office staff visited approximately 15,000 youth in 30 middle schools in
the Wisconsin area, speaking with them about the importance of school and community. They encouraged
the children to take advantage of opportunities, seek positive role models and strive for excellence in
education. Five baseballs, each designed with one of the S.C.O.R.E. character messages printed on the side,
are used to engage children in a dialogue about the importance of each of the elements.
Minnesota Twins
Father of the Year
In partnership with the National Center for Fathering and Target, the Twins provide teachers with materials
for students to submit essays explaining why their father, or father figure, should be the Father of the Year.
In 2012, the Twins received over 4,000 entries state-wide for the contest. The finalists and their fathers
are recognized at the Minnesota State Capitol and on the field prior to a Twins game. The contest not only
recognizes outstanding fathers, but also encourages students to write and share ideas.
New York Mets
Citi Field Kids
Citi Field Kids is an educational and motivational community-based initiative for New York City middle and high
school students. Citi Field Kids was developed by the Mets, Citi and the Jackie Robinson Foundation to help
young people reach their fullest potential by providing them with a unique educational and motivational
experience. It was launched on April 15 , 2009, in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s annual
Jackie Robinson Day and the opening of Citi Field. A series of in-season events educate and inspire
students using the nine values and ideals of Jackie Robinson, the legendary pioneer and great American
trailblazer who broke baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The nine values he
embodied – courage, integrity, determination, persistence, citizenship, justice, commitment, teamwork and
excellence – serve as a focal point of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field to advance and perpetuate
Robinson’s legacy and humanitarian ideals. The program provides children who might not ordinarily get to see
a Major League Baseball game with a VIP experience, exposing them to accomplished athletes, scholars and
business people.
S.C.O.R.E.
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New York Yankees
Sports Management Mentoring Program
46
The New York Yankees partner with various community-based organizations to support, develop and
implement outreach initiatives focused on exposing local youth to productive, educational programming
and outlets. The Sport Management Mentoring program was established to expose high-school students
to careers associated with professional athletics. On a monthly basis, the Yankees work with various
schools and organizations that identify approximately 25 students to attend an interactive discussion
with front office personnel who share information about their career paths, positions and day-to-day
responsibilities, how their work supports game-day activities, and an overview of what takes place off the
field. In addition, students are treated to lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour of Yankee Stadium. The objective
of the program is two-fold: To educate students about career opportunities in the sports industry and to emphasize
the importance of receiving an education.
Oakland Athletics
Science of the Game, Mathletics
The “Science of the Game” program, launched by the A’s and Chevron, is a unique program that deepens
interest and understanding among Bay Area youth by applying science to baseball. The A’s designed
and distributed more than 15,000 “Science of the Game” workbooks to local schools that utilize science
formulas to answer questions about various aspects of baseball. Students who complete their workbooks
and submit their answer sheet to the A’s receive two game tickets.
The Mathletics program is sponsored by Ross Dress For Less and Comcast SportsNet California. The
A’s design and distribute thousands of Mathletics workbooks which utilize simple formulas for calculating
statistics of A’s players. Students in grades one through eight who complete the workbooks correctly and
submit the answer sheet to the A’s earn two tickets to a home game. Since the Mathletics program’s inception in
2003, over 200,000 Bay Area and Northern California students have participated
Philadelphia Phillies
Be a Phanatic About Reading Program
The Phillie Phanatic is the Phillies number one fan and during home games his enthusiasm shows as he dances
on the dugout and leads fans in Citizens Bank Park in “Let’s Go Phillies” chants. But when he is not cheering
the Phillies on to victory, he is reading a book. The Phanatic loves to read so much that he is now the star
of an eleven-book children’s series. His love of reading extends to schools all over the Delaware Valley
through his Be a Phanatic About Reading program presented by Comcast. Each year Be a Phanatic
About Reading encourages nearly 100,000 kindergarten through eighth graders to read for a minimum of
15 minutes a day to improve literacy skills. Classrooms receive Phanatic posters, pencils and bookmarks
as incentives, as well as the opportunity for top performing classrooms to win a Phanatic literacy visit for
their school. In 2011/12 the Phanatic visited nearly 30 schools where he acted out scenes from his book “The
Phillie Phanatic’s Galapagos Island Adventure” or the poem “Casey at the Bat.” Additionally, the Phanatic hosts
a Be a Phanatic About Reading night at the ballpark where the Most Improved and Most Outstanding Readers in
the program are honored on-field, literacy activities take place throughout the concourse and a book collection is held.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Fantasy Baseball Math Program
Pirates Charities expanded the program in 2012, in partnership with the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. In April, students across all sites celebrated “Opening Day”
for competitive tournaments to determine one champion “team” of two students from each site. The site
champions traveled to PNC Park to represent their respective sites at the Pittsburgh Regional Fantasy Baseball
Tournament and World Series. All students who participated were invited to a Pirates game, and the program’s
World Series Champions threw out the first pitch.
St. Louis Cardinals
Redbird Rookies
As part of Cardinals Care’s youth baseball program, Redbird Rookies, the Cardinals partner with the St. Louis
regional library system to encourage reading during the summer. Redbird Rookies participants are given
special scorecards to track their reading. As they fill out the scorecard, they receive prizes from the library
and from Redbird Rookies. Individuals who complete a scorecard receive school supplies and other fun
incentives. Teams who have every player complete a scorecard, in addition to the individual incentives,
are entered into drawings to practice on the field with current Cardinals players and receive an opportunity
to play a game on the field at Busch Stadium.
The Redbird Rookies also hosted the Redbird Rookies Fairs, focused on exposing kids to various activities
in the areas of health and education. All children that attended the Fairs had the opportunity to receive hearing,
vision, asthma, and dental screenings. They received health and nutrition information from various partners, and
also had the opportunity to receive a free bike helmet and fitting. The Fairs are a great opportunity for children and
parents to expose themselves to new and valuable health education information.
San Diego Padres
Padres Scholars
In 1995 the San Diego Padres established a college scholarship program, Padres Scholars, the first of its kind in
Major League Baseball. The goal of the program is to empower students who are academically talented yet
financially challenged to believe that they can attend college. Nearly 200 Padres players have contributed
to the cause, making this a player-focused charitable priority with the Club.
Since 2010, the Padres evolved the program from 8th graders receiving $5,000 or $7,500 each to
providing $30,000 scholarships to high school seniors headed to a four-year college. This scholarship
is awarded over a four-year period and incentivizes the students to keep in contact with the Padres and
ensures that the students provide annual academic and citizenship updates.
After 18 years, 394 Scholars and $2.35 million (including nearly $1 million directly from uniformed players) has
been designated toward scholarships, and the program remains focused on developing an enhanced relationship
with the Scholars allowing for increased contact and more oversight of their academic progress. The Padres Scholars
scholarship is a competitive and coveted award that teachers, principals and administrators consider a sign of
achievement not only for the student but for the teachers and schools as well.
Fantasy Baseball is an integrated math program for students in grades 4-8 and is aligned with the Pennsylvania
State Exams in the areas of mathematics, reading and physical education. Students learn math skills with
baseball statistics in a fun and engaging way from current Pirates players, as well as player cards they
create to compete against one another in simulated baseball games and tournaments. The program
promotes higher order science, technology, engineering and math skills (STEM), in preparation for mathbased careers.
47
San Francisco Giants
Harmon & Sue Burns Scholars
Named in honor of the late Giants owners, The Harmon & Sue Burns Scholarship Program provides an incentive
to Junior Giants Program participants to achieve goals of higher education while serving as leaders on their
teams, at school and in their communities. Ten 8th grade Scholars are selected each summer. The Giants
Community Fund mentors them throughout their 8th grade and high school years. Scholars must maintain
a minimum 2.0 GPA and provide 30 hours of community service annually. Upon successful completion of
high school and acceptance to a college or training program, they receive a $2,500 scholarship.
48
Scholars are invited to college preparedness events. The Road to College Workshop exposes Scholars
to a different university each summer. While on campus, Scholars and their families take a tour and hear
from admission professionals about college preparation and funding. Scholars are invited to Education Day
at AT&T Park, which welcomes the incoming class and honors graduating Scholars in a home plate ceremony.
Scholars and their families are invited to attend a college prep presentation, and have a chance to hear from a Giants
player about their college experience and the importance of education.
Seattle Mariners
DREAM Team School Assembly Program
The Mariners DREAM Team School Assembly program includes visits to elementary schools throughout the
Pacific Northwest each school year. The Mariners DREAM Team is a comprehensive educational program
that uses Mariners players, coaches, broadcasters, and the team’s popular mascot, the Mariner Moose, as
a vehicle to stress the importance of the DREAM principles: Drug-free, Respect for yourself and others,
Education, Attitude, and Motivation to help achieve one’s dreams.
In addition to assemblies held throughout the year, the Mariners host an annual team event in May. On
May 8, 2012, the Mariners held their fifteenth annual Mariners Education Day. Mariners players, coaches,
and broadcasters separated into five groups and visited five Seattle area schools. The Mariners spoke to kids
at each school about the importance of education and adhering to the Mariners’ DREAM Team principles. The
event enabled the team to deliver a positive message to over 2,500 students in one day.
Tampa Bay Rays
Doubling Up for Education
The Rays Baseball Foundation and Helios Education Foundation partner to provide $1 million in college
scholarships to students in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee and Pasco counties participating in
the “Take Stock in Children” program. The partnership aims to give students financial resources and the
mentorship support they need to successfully achieve a post-secondary education at any Florida state
college. Each time a Rays’ player hits a double in a regular season game, Helios donates $600 toward
the initiative and the Rays Baseball Foundation matches the gift.
“Take Stock in Children” provides a unique opportunity for low-income and at-risk students to escape the
cycle of poverty through education. The program’s comprehensive services start in middle school, continue
through high school, and help students transition to college. Programs are based on the principle that given
extensive support, motivation and accountability, children will work hard to ensure that they graduate from high
school and attain a college degree.
Texas Rangers
Richard Greene Scholars Program
Scholars are selected as juniors and participate in six six-week internships during their senior year of high
school, including an internship with the Texas Rangers. Students are matched with a community leader
in their field of interest to serve as a mentor during their senior year. Upon graduation, the students are
rewarded with a $10,000 scholarship. In 2010, the University of Texas-Arlington committed to providing full
tuition scholarships to any Richard Greene Scholar who chooses to attend the university.
Toronto Blue Jays
In the Classroom and Rookie League
Each season, Toronto Blue Jays players visit elementary schools across the Greater Toronto Area to educate
children on the value and benefits of proper nutrition and exercise. As these two elements are such an important
part of everyday life for our players, they are able to share meaningful discussions with students on the
importance of eating right and obtaining proper amounts of exercise. Not just limited to the classroom, Blue
Jays players engage children in games of dodgeball, relay races and water balloon fights to demonstrate
that there are countless games that they can play to get the exercise they need. The players also join
local nutritionist Jennifer Sygo in the classroom for breakfast and lunch with students to discuss options
for healthy, balanced meals.
The Blue Jays also strive to educate children outside the classroom. The Jays Care Foundation, in partnership
with Toronto Community Housing (TCH) and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC), offers a safe, fun, active
and engaging baseball program for children, ages 6-12, living in under-resourced communities. Rookie League
is a cost-free program that uses the game of baseball as a foundation to teach children the importance of teamwork,
cooperation and self-esteem. Toronto Blue Jays serve as Honorary Captains for each of the Rookie League division and all
program sites are provided with shirts, hats, equipment and baseball coaching to facilitate programming.
Washington Nationals
DC High School Initiative and Youth Baseball Academy
For the fourth consecutive year, the Washington Nationals invited every DC Public High School that fields a
baseball team to practice at Nationals Park for two hours once during the season at no cost to the school.
The Nationals believe that providing this opportunity can inspire local students to continue playing baseball
and reaching for their dreams. Additionally, every high school was invited to bring its students out to
Nationals Park as part of a game for “DC High School Night.” More than 8,000 DCPS students and faculty
requested tickets. All-stars from each school were recognized on the field prior to the game.
In regard to providing more incentive for youth to stay involved with baseball, the Washington Nationals
Youth Baseball Academy, in partnership with the District Government, offers inner-city youth a safe
environment that encourages and enhances academic development. This academic development is promoted
while providing the opportunity to learn and play the game of baseball. Located in Ward 7’s Fort Dupont Park, the
facility’s three baseball fields and clubhouse will open in 2013.
The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation awards six Richard Greene Scholarships each year to students in the
Arlington Independent School District. The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has pledged $1 million over
20 years to fund these scholarships in honor of former Arlington Mayor Richard Greene, who served when
the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington was being planned and opened.
49
THANK YOU
We can’t tell you how much we appreciate what Major League Baseball did for our school-age program this year. You have been instrumental in Operation Breakthrough’s
effort to empower at-risk children to succeed in school. Thanks to you and all those who helped, our children will have a bright and wonderful space throughout the summer and
during the school year. Operation Breakthrough…Our thanks to you, the 83rd MLB All-Star Game charitable initiatives, Major League Baseball, the Kansas City Royals and
other kind friends, for the generous support of projects that will impact the kids who need us most through many years to come. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City...
The RBI program has played a significant part in introducing the Boys & Girls Clubs to the kids in our community who need us most, and now, through the Breaking Barriers
essay, has made us more aware of how we can better serve all our members and their families. Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington….I want to express my sincere gratitude
for Major League Baseball’s ongoing support of Habitat for Humanity. During the last seven years, MLB’s generosity has helped nearly 50 families obtain decent shelter, and
millions of people have been encouraged to join our efforts during the All-Star Game and the World Series Habitat for Humanity…Thank you for your recent contribution to the
PHF, Inc. Your donation recognizes our accomplishments and sustains our vision. Your generosity is helping us “fund” a cure for Hydrocephalus. We thank you for your support.
Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, Inc.…Thank you for your contributions…Your gift makes it possible for us to provide our youth with opportunities to play, learn and
grow. Harlem RBI…The rebuild event at the KCVA Honor Annex was spectacular and we simply could not have accomplished the project without the support of MLB, Bank of
America and the Kansas City Royals…Thank you again for your support and for the opportunity to leave behind an enduring legacy in Kansas City! Rebuilding Together…
Thank you so much for Major League Baseball Charities, Inc. recent gift…Your partnership makes a profound difference in the fight against breast cancer. Your support funds
community outreach programs and critical research that will bring us closer to our goal of ending breast cancer forever. Susan G. Komen for the Cure…We really appreciate
your continued support in our efforts to educate today’s youth on the dangers of steroids. Taylor Hooton Foundation…Major League Baseball Charities’ gift to Starlight is
helping to make a world of difference for seriously ill children and their families…Thank you for helping us ensure that no seriously ill child or family ever struggles alone.
Starlight Children’s Foundation…Thank you for your donation…With nearly 1,000 family, friends and special guests in attendance, the Benefit Concert was a resounding
success thanks to the generosity of individuals like you. Voices Against Brain Cancer…On behalf of the family members involved with the Pentagon Memorial Fund, I would
like to thank Major League Baseball Charities, Inc. for the continued support…which continues to help us ensure that the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 will
never be forgotten, and that future generations have the necessary education resources to learn about the events of that day. Pentagon Memorial Fund, Inc.…On behalf of
the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign, we want to thank you for your gift…Your generous commitment is greatly appreciated and will advance the mission of this historic
effort that recognizes a new era of American heroism. Families of Flight 93, Inc. & Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign…On behalf of the New York Urban League, thank
you very much for your contribution…Our goal is to ensure that no child or adult who wants to learn, who wants employment, who seeks economic stability and self sufficiency,
will not go without education and training, for the lack of financial resources”. New York Urban League…Your support to the Congenital Heart Defect Coalition truly makes
a difference in the lives of families touched by America’s number one birth defect – congenital heart defects. On behalf of the children and families that will one day benefit
from the money we raised at this event, we are truly grateful! Congenital Heart Defect Coalition…Thank you for your donation to the “Give a Smile to a Child” Foundation
Fifth Annual Golf Tournament. Your donation will help make it possible for us to continue to assist families and children who have experienced unforeseen tragedies, provide
college scholarships, continue construction at the stadium, help feed the less fortunate, and provide funds to the Palm Beach Gardens Police/Fire Departments “Joy Drive”
during the Christmas holidays. “Give a Smile to a Child” Foundation…I just want to say thank you for the most amazing day! It was truly an “over the moon” experience
for me. Everyone at MLB and the Miami Marlins were wonderful throughout to me and my family….Thank you for allowing me to be part of your efforts to create awareness.
50
Together we definitely sent the message and touched a number of lives yesterday 2012 Honorary Bat Girl for the Miami Marlins…Thank you for supporting the Gay &
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)…We are grateful for your support in shining a light on GLAAD’s work with the media, putting the stories that build support for
equality in front of the camera, and taking action to create a world in which everyone is accepted, respected, and valued for who they are. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation…Thank you for your recent gift to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). It is because of your concern and support that PCF is able to continue its mission…We,
and the more than 16 million men and their families fighting prostate cancer globally, are grateful for your support. Prostate Cancer Foundation… On behalf of the Jackie
Robinson Foundation, and the Scholars we serve, thank you for your gift…Through your gift, JRF will sustain its commitment to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Jackie
Robinson Foundation…On September 12, 2011, the Memorial opened to family members, and the following day to the public. Since then we have had more than 1.7 million
visitors. Your kind donation will help us sustain the Memorial, and allow us to honor and remember the events of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993…Thank you
again for this wonderful gift and for all that you have done to help lead the way in creation of this enduring Memorial and Museum. 9/11 Memorial…On behalf of the Wheelchair
Foundation, thank you so much for supporting our effort to help those in need. Your
generous donation provided many wheelchair recipients and their families with a higher
quality of life through improved mobility and new hope. Wheelchair Foundation…I
would like to thank you for your generous gift…It’s because of organizations like yours
that help our Special Olympics athletes compete without the worries of financial burdens.
New Jersey Special Olympics…Thank you for your contribution in support of the 11th
Annual Legacy Awards….Your commitment to the NLBM ensures that this chapter of
American history is preserved for future generations to learn about and be inspired
by. Together, we are saving an invaluable piece of history, and in the process, we are
making history. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum…The American Cancer Society
thanks you for your contribution…Your generosity is helping us save lives. American
Cancer Society…The Wheelchair Sports Federation would like to thank Major League
Baseball for your continued generous support…Because of good friends like Major
League Baseball, we are able to carry on the programs that are so vital to spinal cord
injured people all across the United States. Wheelchair Sports Federation… We
sincerely appreciate all that Major League Baseball does to help make a difference
in kids’ lives. The brand awareness that you have helped create fortifies our image in
the community and serves as a beacon for hope and opportunity for so many. Boys &
Girls Clubs of America… Thank you for your support…Your generosity is sincerely
appreciated by the March of Dimes. We are extremely fortunate to count on your
commitment. March of Dimes.
51
COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL
ALLAN H. (BUD) SELIG
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS
TIMOTHY J. BROSNAN
CMO/SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ADVERTISING & MARKETING
JACQUELINE D. PARKES
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
THOMAS C. BRASUELL
CONSULTANT, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
SHARON ROBINSON
DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
CELIA BOBROWSKY
DIRECTOR, REVIVING BASEBALL IN INNER CITIES (RBI)
DAVID JAMES
SENIOR COORDINATOR, REVIVING BASEBALL IN INNER CITIES (RBI)
KATIE RINGEL
COORDINATOR, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
KATHLEEN CASSINO
ADMINISTRATOR, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS/ REVIVING BASEBALL IN INNER CITIES (RBI)
KEVIN MOSS
For More Information Visit
www.mlbcommunity.org
245 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10167, 212.931.7800
52

major league baseball

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