WHO: Tampa Bay Rays players Jason Bartlett, Pat Burrell, Carlos Pena, Andy Sonnanstine and Dan Wheeler will host a Major League Baseball Players Trust “Buses for Baseball” event prior to Wednesday’s game (April 28, 2010) against the Oakland A’s. The players will welcome 50 students from St. Joseph’s School in Tampa, Fla.

WHAT: “Buses for Baseball,” a program administered and underwritten by the Major League Baseball Players Trust, provides transportation, game tickets and personal greetings from players to underprivileged children. This season, the program will provide over 1,500 children from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico with an unforgettable ballpark experience. At each game, players will sign autographs, pose for photos and answer questions. The children also receive free souvenirs, food and beverages.

The Players Trust enjoys the support of the Tampa Bay Rays organization in providing this unique, up close and personal opportunity to share the thrill of Major League Baseball with needy children.

The Major League Baseball Players Trust is a charitable foundation created by the players to help those in need. Through the Players Trust, Major League players contribute their time, money and celebrity to call attention to important issues affecting those in need and to help encourage others to get involved in their own communities.

For additional information, please visit www.MLBPLAYERS.com. To view a brief video feature on the Buses for Baseball program, please visit the Players Trust channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mlbplayerstrust.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Player Meet and Greet: Approximately 4:15 p.m. EST

WHERE: Seats along first base line

Contacts:
Melissa Persaud, MLBPA (On Site), 917-445-6014
Beth Bohnsack, Tampa Bay Rays, 727-825-3277 (office)
Greg Bouris, MLBPA (New York), 212-826-0808 (office), 516-510-3112 (cell)