Major League Baseball and its 30 Clubs are again joining Susan G. Komen for the Cure for "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer," a program that incorporates numerous facets of the game on and off the field to generate awareness about breast cancer and raise funds to help fight the disease. The initiative, which runs until May 19th, will celebrate Mother's Day with special programs at each ballpark hosting a home game on Sunday, May 13th.
During the "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" program, fans can support the initiative by logging onto a MLB-themed microsite (www.komen.org/mlb) and making a monetary pledge in the name of a specific team or to the general cause. Donations made in a team's name will go to programs in that team's community to support breast health and breast cancer awareness. The donations can be made at five different levels: "Single" ($25), "Double" ($50), "Triple" ($75), "Home Run" ($100), and "Grand Slam" ($250). Major League Baseball Charities has also committed an additional $50,000 on top of the fan donation total.
"Major League Baseball is proud to again partner with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help raise awareness and funds for a disease that affects so many women and their families," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "It is important to all of us in baseball that our Clubs, players, licensees and fans give back to our communities in such a meaningful way."
A number of Major League players will help raise awareness for breast cancer on Mother's Day, May 13th, by using pink Louisville Slugger bats. To date, more than 200 players have signed up to use a pink bat, which is more than twice the participation in 2006. Select game-used bats, as well as teamautographed bats from every Club, will be auctioned on MLB.com at a later date, with proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Fans can also purchase their own personalized pink bat at MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, or www.slugger.com, with Major League Baseball donating $10 from the sale of each bat to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
A number of Major League players will help raise awareness for breast cancer on Mother's Day, May 13th, by using pink Louisville Slugger bats. To date, more than 200 players have signed up to use a pink bat, which is more than twice the participation in 2006. Select game-used bats, as well as team autographed bats from every Club, will be auctioned on MLB.com at a later date, with proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Fans can also purchase their own personalized pink bat at MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, or www.slugger.com, with Major League Baseball donating $10 from the sale of each bat to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
During games played on Mother's Day, Major League players will wear pink wristbands and pink ribbons will be displayed on player uniforms, as well as those of all on-field personnel. The breast cancer awareness theme will be carried throughout the game, including pink ribbon logos on the bases and commemorative home plates, and pink dugout lineup cards. Team-autographed commemorative home plates, pink bats and lineup cards from each ballpark will also be auctioned off on MLB.com at a later date with proceeds to raise additional funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Fans can also support "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" by purchasing limited edition New Era caps and Soft as a Grape shirts featuring pink Club logos alongside the breast cancer ribbon logo. Out in time for Mother's Day gift buying, fans can purchase the items by logging onto MLB.com or visiting their Club's nearest Clubhouse store. Major League Baseball will donate one dollar from the sale of each item to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Additionally, while supplies last, a special Mother's Day bathrobe with the MLB pink ribbon logo will be given as a gift with a purchase of $150 or more at Club retails shops within all 30 ballparks.
Major League Baseball will use its various assets to help communicate the Breast Cancer awareness message. A special Komen for the Cure PSA will run on the scoreboard and PA announcements will be broadcast in-stadium by each Club playing at home on Mother's Day. Fans also will be able to receive informational brochures about breast cancer awareness by visiting the guest services area at each ballpark. MLB.com will features stories on MLB players and their mothers. Ads featuring New York Mets third baseman David Wright will appear in a number of publications, including Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, USA Today, Baseball America and Sports Collectors Digest. Additionally, 20,000 specially-themed Mother's Day greeting cards featuring David Wright will be distributed to fans on Wednesday, May 9th, at key locations throughout Manhattan.