2009 MLB All-Star Game Community Activities

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The Official Site of the St. Louis Cardinals

All-Star Summer

2009 MLB All-Star Week Community Activities

Major League Baseball, in partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, will dedicate the 2009 All-Star Summer to raising money/awareness for Baseball's charitable initiatives while celebrating the importance of community service. The charity and community service initiatives will be the most extensive in Major League Baseball All-Star history and will celebrate the history and traditions of Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals. Major League Baseball will focus its efforts on benefiting healthcare organizations, supporting education programs, increasing opportunities for young people to play baseball, acting in an environmentally-conscious manner and celebrating the community service accomplishments of everyday American citizens.

MLB will recognize people who embody the generosity of the American spirit through the extraordinary work they do to enrich the lives of others within their communities. Other community All-Star efforts include a full slate of activities with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Major League Baseball's official charity, the Legacy Funds program and collaboration with Make-A-Wish.

"Going Beyond" is a platform that integrates community service and social responsibility into everything Major League Baseball does as an organization. It also will serve as a call to action for all Americans to make a personal commitment to the communities in which they live. As part of this initiative, MLB employees, along with the many representatives of baseball's extended family of corporate partners in attendance in St. Louis, will volunteer their time and energy to support community-based events which will take place during All-Star week. Additionally, over 2,500 local St. Louis volunteers will assist with the efforts.

Community Activities

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People All-Stars Among Us: Major League Baseball has teamed with PEOPLE Magazine in creating "All-Stars Among Us", a national platform which has identified 30 outstanding Americans, representing each Major League Club, who have dedicated themselves to community service. The "All-Stars Among Us" celebration prior to the All-Star Game will represent the culmination of a series of events that will take place during the course of Major League Baseball's All-Star week. Each of the 30 "All-Stars Among Us" will be flown to St. Louis to take part in a special on-field pre-game ceremony which will be accompanied by a video tribute. The tribute will be featured in the ballpark and air nationally on FOX, culminating with the first pitch thrown by President Obama.

Jr. RBI Classic - Thursday, July 9 - Tuesday, July 14: Major League Baseball and RBI's presenting sponsor KPMG will host the inaugural Jr. RBI Classic as part of 2009 MLB All-Star Week. The event, a non-competitive 32-game tournament, will feature teams of 11-12 year old players representing 16 Jr. RBI pilot cities. Participants will play on various fields in the greater St. Louis area. Teams will also participate in, and attend, MLB All-Star Week events including MLB All-Star FanFest, the XM All-Star Futures Game, the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game and exclusive clinics. Jr. RBI was introduced in 2009 as a companion to the existing RBI program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has assisted over one million underserved youth, aged 13-18.

MLB Greening - Fri. July 10; Sun. July 12 - Tuesday, July 14: As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, Major League Baseball Greening is partnering with the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to help ensure that the 2009 All-Star Week is MLB's most environmentally proactive event to date. This comprehensive effort will include programs dedicated to energy conservation, recycling, environmental awareness, and waste reduction, among others.

Starlight Foundation Fun Center Donation - Saturday, July 11 @ 11:00am: MLB and the Cardinals, in partnership with Starlight Children's Foundation, will donate a Starlight Fun Center to Children's Hospital in St. Louis. The Fun Center rolls up to the side of young patients' beds or specified location in the hospital, to help hospitalized children cope with pain, fear and isolation. Starlight programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families with others facing similar challenges so they never feel alone. The unit includes a Nintendo (Wii) gaming system, DVD player and flat screen monitor.

VA Medical Center Visit - Saturday July, 11 @ 1:00pm: St. Louis Cardinals alumni Ken Reitz, John Costello, Curt Ford, and Kerry Robinson will accompany MLB President and COO Bob DuPuy on a visit to the St. Louis VA Medical Center, which provides inpatient and ambulatory care in medicine, surgery, psychiatry, neurology, and rehabilitation, as well as over 65 subspecialty areas. It is a two-division facility that serves veterans and their families in east central Missouri and southwestern Illinois. The John Cochran Division, named after the late Missouri congressman, is located in midtown St. Louis and has all of the medical center's operative surgical capabilities, the ambulatory care unit, and a six-story clinical addition that includes surgical facilities, intensive care units, outpatient psychiatry clinics, and expanded laboratory.

All-Star Charity Concert - Saturday, July 11: The MLB All-Star Charity Concert benefitting Stand Up To Cancer, headlined by Sheryl Crow, will take place under St. Louis's iconic Gateway Arch to raise awareness and financial support for the Stand Up to Cancer campaign--a global movement to raise philanthropic support for innovative cancer research. The concert will start at 4:00pm and continue to 10:15pm

All-Star Charity 5K & Fun Run - Sunday, July 12: The MLB All-Star Charity 5K & Fun Run Presented by Sports Authority and Nike will be a family-friendly road race for up to 10,000 participants and will benefit Major League Baseball's three leading partners in the fight against cancer: Stand Up to Cancer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Representing a groundbreaking charitable alliance among these three cancer organizations, the race will commence at Busch Stadium with the finish line at America's Center in downtown St. Louis. Participants of all ages will run, walk or race in wheelchairs on a baseball-themed course featuring MLB legends, mascots and representatives of the three cancer charities. The first-time All-Star event is one of the many MLB initiatives designed to promote healthy living and an active lifestyle. The event starts at 6:00am and concludes at 10:30am

Challengers Champions Game - Monday, July 13 - 8:45am-12:15pm: Major League Baseball and the Cardinals will host a Challenger-Champions Game on-field at Busch Stadium. Special needs children from the Hillsboro, Missouri Little League Challenger Program will play against the PONY Baseball Champions League from Herrin, Illinois. Each player gets one at-bat and plays the field defensively. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Cardinals.

12th & Park Field Renovation - Tuesday, July 14 - 8:30am-1:00pm: Major League Baseball and Magical Builders, a non-profit [501(c)(3)] organization, dedicated to advancing the well-being of children and their communities, will help direct over 50 Rawlings volunteers in the refurbishment of a field used by local RBI and Redbird Rookies youth baseball players and the painting of a multi-purpose room inside the facility.

Responsibility Has Its Rewards: Major League Baseball and TEAM Coalition sponsor the "Responsibility Has Its Rewards" promotion, which supports designated driver programs at all 30 MLB ballparks. Clubs participate by selecting one Designated Driver for the Season from all the fans that signed up at their existing designated driver programs (sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, Miller Coors, ARAMARK, SportService and others). One designated driver selected from the American League and National League Champions will win two tickets to the first game of the World Series played in their home city. One designated driver from the remaining 28 Clubs that do not advance to the World Series will win a trip to the All-Star Game. The Designated Driver for the Season who won the trip to the 2009 All-Star Game is Kansas City Royals Designated Drive Amber Bockelman. MLB is working with TEAM, Anheuser-Busch, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation to remind fans that responsibility really does have its rewards.; On Friday, July 10 at 2 pm at Busch Stadium, there will be a press event outside Gate 3 - with TEAM and responsibility partners MLB, Anheuser-Busch, Illinois DOT and Missouri DOT.

Welcome Back Veterans: During All-Star Week, Major League Baseball will promote WelcomeBackVeterans.org, an organization created by MLB to help veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive the medical treatment they need, with a specific focus relating to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Thus far, MLB has committed over $10 million to this effort and will leverage the All-Star stage to generate global awareness for the program, the needs of these veterans and their families. VA hospital visits are scheduled, and local veterans will be integrated into MLB events. During the All-Star Game, a veteran in the park will be recognized. Sgt. Josh Eckhoff, a Ballwin, Missouri resident, was critically injured during his second tour in Iraq (Feb. 6, 2008) while on a combat mission in Baghdad with his unit when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. The Eckhoff name is probably familiar to many as Joshua's father is John Eckhoff, the St. Louis county Veterans Affairs Manager and a Vietnam era veteran.

Breaking Barriers: Major League Baseball will host the 2009 Breaking Barriers Essay Contest grand prize winner, Natalie Meiselwitz, 9, and her family, during All-Star Week. Natalie, whose winning essay was chosen from nearly 8,000 entries across the country, will be recognized in an on-field ceremony and accompany Commissioner Selig during All-Star Week as his special guest. Now in its 12th year - Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life - is a multi-curricular character education program developed by Major League Baseball and Scholastic Inc. Using baseball as the metaphor for life, the curriculum is based on the values demonstrated by barrier breaker Jackie Robinson: Determination, Commitment, Persistence, Integrity, Justice, Courage, Teamwork, Citizenship, and Excellence.

Make-A-Wish: Major League Baseball is donating tickets to eight Make-A-Wish children with life-threatening illnesses, and their families, to attend All-Star Week activities as special guests of Major League Baseball. They will enjoy the State Farm Home Run Derby and All-Star Game in the comfort of a luxury suite. Activities include the following:

A special reception
All-Star FanFest, Taco Bell All-Star Sunday
XM All-Star Futures Game (Wish children will meet the managers on the field)
Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game press conference
Gatorade All-Star Workout Day featuring the State Farm Home Run Derby
The 80th All-Star Game

Mascot Tour: During All-Star Week, MLB Club mascots travel to the host city and make special appearances, including visits to hospitals. They are tentatively scheduled to appear at Going Beyond events as follows:

Friday, July 10 - Sportsman's Park RBI Field Dedication and Street Renaming
Jr. RBI Classic Opening Ceremony
Saturday, July 11 - St. Louis Children's Hospital Starlight Fun Center donation
Make-A-Wish reception
Sunday, July 12 - All-Star Charity 5K & Fun Run
Monday, July 13 - Challenger-Champions Game
Tuesday, July 14 - RBI Field Renovation Ceremonial First Pitch & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Aquafina Pitch, Hit & Run Finals Monday July, 13 @ 2:00pm: The 2009 Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run National Champions will be crowned as part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day. Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run is a grassroots program initiated in 1996 to provide youth across North America with an integrated competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball skills. Free to boys and girls between the ages of 7-14, Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball. More than 600,000 participants competed in more than 4,000 competitions this year. The program features local, sectional and championship competitions, with the top three competitors nationwide from each of the four divisions (7-8 year olds; 9-10 year olds; 11-12 year olds; and 13-14 year olds) advancing to the National Finals at the MLB All-Star Game.

ALL-STAR FANFEST

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The All-Star FanFest® interactive baseball spectacular, the largest baseball event in the world, provides baseball fans of all ages with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of the Major League Baseball Midsummer Classic. In celebration of the partnership between Major League Baseball and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 25 local Boys & Girls Clubs members will assist MLB mascots in opening All-Star FanFest on Friday, July 10, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

KPMG/Jr. RBI Clinics - Tuesday, July 14, 11:30am-12:00pm: Former MLB and Cardinals legends will host KPMG/RBI clinics for 24 Jr. RBI Classic participants daily at the All-Star FanFest Diamond.

KinderVision - Friday, July 10-Tuesday, July 14: KinderVision, a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to teach children personal safety education through a unique, pro-active abduction prevention and sexual exploitation multimedia program will record and distribute personalized child safety DVDs. Prevention through education has been the focus of the KinderVision program since 1991 and is accomplished using several methods: the "Greatest Save" Safety Quiz, the KinderVision child safety education video (which is personalized and given away free at events like Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest), comprehensive on-line elements, on-air safety education messages and school resources. KinderVision information is available in both English and Spanish, and is supported nationwide by law enforcement. At their booth, KinderVision will film and voice record children on the end of a ten-minute KinderVision Safety Education video to make the video interactive, encourage repeat viewing and processing of the information, and preserve the memory of the day. Approximately 6,000 children receive KinderVision videos annually at FanFest.

Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition - Friday, July 10-Tuesday, July 14: For the fifth consecutive All-Star FanFest, baseball fans who make the pledge to demonstrate responsible fan behavior, drink responsibly, always have a designated driver, and always buckle up have a chance to win great rewards. This year, TEAM Coalition is joined by the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Anheuser-Busch. Fans can take a souvenir photo in the replica Busch Stadium Cardinals dugout, printed immediately with the campaign messages, partner logos, and All-Star images on the photo border. Fans can also film a responsibility video to promote the designated driver and buckle up messages. All the fans that participate are entered to win prizes that include authenticated All - Star Game clubhouse chairs, tickets to All-Star Game events including FanFest, the XM All-Star Futures Game, the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, and the All-Star Gala.

Sharon Robinson Book Signing - Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14, 10:00am-11:30am: Sharon Robinson, daughter of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, will meet fans and sign her new book, Testing the Ice, at the Negro Leagues exhibit.

Hunt Auctions - Friday, July 10-Tuesday, July 14: For the fifth consecutive year, Hunt Auctions has been named the official auctioneer of MLB All-Star FanFest. Hunt Auctions will host a variety of auction-related activities, including daily auctions of affordable baseball items and a complimentary appraisal fair, leading up to the MLB Live Auction on Tuesday, July 14.; The auction features hundreds of baseball artifacts including Stan Musial's 1956 St. Louis Cardinals road jersey, Lou Gehrig's New York Yankees professional model baseball bat, a Babe Ruth game used baseball bat, and scores of autographed baseballs, awards, photographs, signed items, and other items relating to baseball's legendary players. The Live Auction also will include four paintings by America's Premiere Sports and Entertainment Artist, Malcolm Farley, with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA ACTIVITIES

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G-Force: As the exclusive sponsor of in-stadium All-Star balloting, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films "G-FORCE" appeared on more than 20 million ballots distributed at the 30 MLB ballparks, more than 100 Minor League ballparks, and through in-stadium messaging and announcements. A Club member from a local Boys & Girls Clubs of America chapter was selected to participate in the in-stadium All-Star balloting launch ceremony at each MLB park.

FanFest: • Opening Ceremonies - Friday, July 10, 8:30am
Twenty-five local Boys & Girls Club members will assist MLB mascots in opening All - Star FanFest at a ceremonial ribbon cutting.; • Field Crew
Twenty-one local Boys & Girls Clubs members, ages 10-12, will help manage the field at the Pepsi Diamond at MLB All-Star FanFest. They will assist the coaching staff in the smooth operation of all clinics, manage all movement of equipment on the field, have a unique experience interacting with a variety of baseball professionals and receive baseball-themed gifts. Tentative schedule: Friday, July 10-Sunday, July 12, 8:30am - 7:30pm; Monday, July 13, 8:30am - 5:30pm; Tuesday, July 14, 8:30am - 6:30pm.; • Mascot Home Run Derby - Friday-Monday, July 11-13, 11:00am-11:30am
St. Louis-area Boys & Girls Club members will participate in the State Farm Mascot Home Run Derby, a four-day event on the Diamond at FanFest, with the finals on Monday, July 13. Similar in format to the State Farm Home Run Derby that is part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day, mascots will be matched with a Boys & Girls Club member. The Club member whose mascot wins the State Farm Mascot Home Run Derby title will receive two tickets to the All-Star Game, with all participating Club members receiving three All-Star FanFest tickets.; • Nike Clinic - Monday, July 13, 9:00-11:00am
Nike will invite 20 local Boys & Girls Clubs members to participate in a clinic put on by MLB Nike Legends on the Diamond at FanFest.

Boys & Girls Club Renovation/Greening Activities - Friday, July 10, 8:15am-1:00pm: Major League Baseball and the Cardinals will partner with Magical Builders, a non-profit organization that works with businesses to renovate and improve the facilities of non-profit organizations across the country, to refurbish a multi-purpose room and carry out Green projects at the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club. Twenty-five Rawlings volunteers will help a local artist paint a Green mural inside the Club and plant shrubs and flowers at the newly constructed "All-Star Field" across the street from the Club. The paint will be eco friendly and the paint brushes and plastics used will be recycled. A dedication of the new field (funded by Major League Baseball, the Cardinals and the Anheuser Busch Foundation) and street renaming will commemorate the site where the original Sportsman's Park, former home of the Cardinals, was located.

Futures Game Flag Ceremony - Sunday, July 12, 12:30pm: During player introductions for the XM All-Star Futures Game, 13 local Boys & Girls Clubs members ages 12-14 will hold the flags of the 13 countries represented in the game. Participating children will each receive three Taco Bell All-Star Sunday tickets and three All-Star FanFest tickets.

Logo Recognition: The Boys & Girls Clubs of America logo will be shown on the scoreboard, in-stadium, and on MLB/BGCA PSAs that will run during events at Busch Stadium and in-game on FOX.

State Farm Home Run Derby: • Monday, July 13, 8:00pm
Once again, eight local Boys & Girls Club members will each be paired with a State Farm Home Run Derby participant to win a donation toward a new teen center. The Club member paired with the winner of the State Farm Home Run Derby will receive a $50,000 donation for his/her Boys & Girls Clubs, while the remaining children each will receive a $10,000 donation for their respective Clubs; for total donation of $120,000.; • Shaggers
Four local Boys & Girls Clubs members will serve as Home Run Derby shaggers courtesy of State Farm.; • Gold Ball
As part of the State Farm Home Run Derby, the "Gold Ball" charitable component, instituted in 2005, will be repeated. Rawlings, the official supplier of baseballs to Major League Baseball, has created a specially-designed gold baseball that will be used in every round when a player is down to his final out. For every home run hit by a State Farm Home Run Derby participant after his ninth out, Major League Baseball and State Farm will combine to donate $17,000 (representing State Farm's 17,000 agents) to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.; • State Farm Home Run Derby Tee-Ball Contest and Cal Ripken Jr. Clinic -
Monday, July 13, 9:00am-11:00am
State Farm is sponsoring a Tee-Ball Home Run Derby with eight BGCA kids matched with local media personalities, while eight other BGCA kids serve as shaggers. A clinic given by Cal Ripken, Jr. will follow the contest, which will take place on the softball diamond outside Busch Stadium, between Walnut and Clark Streets.

Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet - Tuesday, July 14, 2:00pm: The 2009 MLB Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet is scheduled to feature all 64 Major League Baseball All-Stars as well as the AL and NL All-Star team managers. Players and managers will each make their way to the ballpark on 8th and Market Streets in brand new 2009 Chevrolet vehicles. On Tuesday, July 14, 25 local Boys & Girls Club members will join 20 Redbird Rookies players, five Make-A-Wish children and their families, and the Breaking Barriers national winner and her family in front row seats.

First Ball Delivery - Tuesday, July 14, just prior to start of All-Star Game: • Monday, July 13, 8:00pm
The baseball that will begin the 80th All-Star Game will be delivered by Joshua Jones, the 2008 local Youth of the Year (YOY) winner from Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club. A five-year member of the Club, he is active in the Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service, and the Science Club, through which he is encouraging faculty, students and guests to "GO Green" and recycle. Having graduated from Clyde C. Miller Career Academy with a 3.3 GPA, Joshua's favorite subjects were literature and writing because they enable him to effectively communicate with diverse groups of people and build lasting relationships. As a member of the wrestling team, Joshua learned perseverance, commitment, and patience. In the fall he will attend Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, where he will pursue a degree in Psychology, which he hopes will help him positively impact the lives of children and adults. "Youth of the Year" is a national Boys & Girls Clubs of America competition that recognizes young people across the nation for outstanding contributions to his/her family, school, community and Club, as well as his/her ability to overcome personal challenges and obstacles.

ALL-STAR LEGACY, CHARITABLE AND MISCELLANEOUS CONTRIBUTIONS

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Major League Baseball Charities Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals will donate almost $5 million of the net proceeds from the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13 to local and national charitable causes. National beneficiaries include Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, National Recreation and Park Association, the Jackie Robinson Foundation, Roberto Clemente Sports City, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation; among others. Locally, funds will support many worthy projects for underserved youth including new youth baseball fields at the Herbert Hoover and Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Clubs, two scholarship programs and a college preparatory program, as well as a mobile health van that provides free health services.

Additional not-for-profit organizations will benefit from All-Star Week as a result of contributions related to player and celebrity participation in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.

Arches on Parade - June 24-early August, 2009: MLB and the Cardinals will install 16 miniature Gateway Arches around downtown St. Louis and Forest Park in commemoration of All-Star Week. The downsized All-Star Arches, measuring about 10 feet wide and 10 feet tall, will be decorated with various MLB-related logos and colors, recalling similar efforts in prior All-Star Game host cities such as miniature Statues of Liberty placed around New York last summer and oversized cowboy boots displayed in Houston in '04. The St. Louis Sports Commission is selling 15 of the arches at $15,000 each as a fundraiser for its charitable foundation. The Cardinals are purchasing the 16th arch, having it painted by local artist Dan Martin, and will install it in either their Hall of Fame Museum or Ballpark Village.

Food Recovery - Operation Food Search: After several All-Star events, including the All-Star Game Gala and Pre-Game Celebration, perishable food will be collected and distributed to the hungry through Operation Food Search. Established in 1981 to address the growing problem of hunger, Operation Food Search has become the largest distributor of free food in the bi- state area, helping feed the region's poor while distributing more than 1.5 million pounds of food/household items to 250 community partner agencies. Those agencies in turn feed 100,000 disadvantaged people every month, with nearly half the recipients being children. The service area includes 30 Illinois and Missouri counties surrounding St. Louis.

Tickets for Kids: Major League Baseball shares the commitment to provide All-Star Week experiences to a diversified audience. MLB is working with Tickets for Kids Charities to distribute a minimum of 500 FanFest tickets to local not-for- profits. Tickets for Kids Charities is a non-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of children by obtaining tickets to a wide variety of local arts, cultural, educational, sporting and family entertainment events. Tickets are then donated to over 700 community-based organizations that serve children and their families, enabling them to enjoy many events that they otherwise would not experience.

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