DETROIT – Major League Baseball is dedicating the first four games of the World Series to its charitable partners.
The games will highlight the work of an organization fighting cancer, an organization that honors veterans and their families, three groups working to support youth baseball for inner city children and a group that celebrates community service.
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"The World Series provides our charitable partners with a platform to shed light on social issues that are critically important to Major League Baseball and our fans," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "As a social institution with important social responsibilities, Major League Baseball is proud to continue using the attraction of the Fall Classic to make a positive impact in people's lives."
Game 1 Advancing the Fight Against Cancer:
Game One of the 2012 World Series will highlight Stand Up To Cancer, The game will feature a moment when fans and players will hold up placards with the names of loved ones affected by the disease. In 2008, Major League Baseball became the founding donor for the organization which focuses on getting innovative therapies to patients as quickly as possible. Since launching, it has grown significantly with support from players, fans and all 30 MLB Clubs. Major League Baseball has donated more than $30 million to the organization.
Game 2 Veterans and Military Families:
MLB will highlight the League's support for the military, specifically through the Welcome Back Veterans initiative, by dedicating Game Two to veterans and military families. There will be a special on-field, pre-game ceremony featuring a video narrated by Tom Brokaw to pay tribute to former Major Leaguers who served the United States of America in World War II. Launched in 2008 by Major League Baseball and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the group has awarded more than $13 million in grants to non-profit agencies targeting returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans' and their families' with focus on treatment and research of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Game 3 Youth:
Game Three will be dedicated to youth, especially those in underserved communities, through the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities and Breaking Barriers MLB programs, and also the League's partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. During an on-field ceremony prior to Game Three, youth from all three programs will be recognized. Prior to the game, hundreds of young people will attend a clinic amid at increase fitness. The event, "Wanna Play?" is a initiative dedicated to youth fitness, encouraging boys and girls ages 6 to 12 to increase their overall fitness and nutrition education through physical activity while learning the fundamental skills of baseball. The event will be administered by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.
Game 4 Community Service:
Game Four will be dedicated to celebrating the work of Habitat for Humanity, a long-time partner of MLB by promoting the organization's efforts, as it helps build homes in partnership with low-income families in Missouri and Alabama, the two communities devastated by tornadoes in April and May of 2011. Major League Baseball, the Players Trust and league partners will teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build nine homes in these communities.
Other Initiatives
MLB and TEAM Coalition will help support the designated driver programs at ballparks during the 2012 championship season. Fans who register as a designated driver can entered into a drawing to be the Club's official, "Designated Driver."
The designated driver chosen from the National League Champions and the American League Champions will each receive two tickets and will be honored during Game One and Game Three.
The MLB and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) will also be collecting refuse for recycling and raising public awareness and to educate fans about how to become more environmentally friendly during games.
Visit MLBCommunity.org for more information on these programs.