Chevy Calling on Fans to Hit Home Run for Youth Baseball

DETROIT – To celebrate the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season, Chevrolet is giving fans a chance to win one of 100 prizes for their community baseball programs – from youth-baseball field makeovers to new equipment; even a trip for four to the MLB All-Star Game®. 

Since 2006, Chevy has provided equipment, fundraising support, and baseball clinics to more than 1.5 million youth baseball players and their families, donating more than $11 million. 

That includes more than 70,000 tickets to MLB and Minor League Baseball games and more than 350 clinics for young players, many with players and coaches from MLB.

More than 1,400 Chevrolet dealerships will provide support for local baseball leagues through the Chevy Youth Baseball program this year.

The first pitch of the 2011 Chevrolet “Diamonds & Dreams” program is a 30-second television spot, featuring youth baseball players recreating some of the most “Famous Baseball Moments,” from Babe Ruth calling his home run in the 1932 World Series to Kirk Gibson’s iconic fist pump as he ran the bases during the 1988 World Series. 

“Every baseball player remembers the feeling of stepping up to the plate as a kid, and swinging for the fences,” said Rick Scheidt, US vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “It’s easy to imagine that somewhere in America, there’s a future baseball star just starting out in a T-ball or coach-pitch baseball league.”

To help these future All-Stars, Chevrolet is partnering with The Scotts Company LLC, Ripken Baseball, Ripken Design, Rawlings Sporting Goods, MLB Advanced Media, and Major League Baseball to provide 100 prizes to local youth-baseball teams, including:

• 20 youth baseball field makeovers, with the 20 field nominees each receiving a year’s worth of ScottsMiracle-Gro products

• 20 baseball clinics from famed Ripken Baseball

• 60 baseball equipment packages for youth baseball teams from Rawlings

One hundred winners will be drawn from all eligible entries submitted online at www.chevybaseball.com. In addition to winning youth baseball prizes for their community, each of the 100 winners also will be entered for a chance to win one of four trips for four to the MLB All-Star Game® on July 12^th in Phoenix and the chance to win a Chevrolet. Baseball fans can submit entries beginning today through May 31, 2011. Winners will be announced in June.  For official rules please visit www.chevybaseball.com.    To celebrate baseball come #playcatch with @Chevrolet on Twitter and get your friends in on the game. http://t.co/KN6HYdm

Administering renovations for the 20 field makeovers is Ripken Design, the sports design and consulting firm owned by National Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. and his brother, 12-year Major League Baseball veteran, Billy Ripken. 

Scotts, the Official Lawn Care Company of MLB, continues to partner with Chevrolet and MLB on multiple field refurbishments. Scotts believes that it is important to offer youth a safe, reliable field and playing area.  In addition to helping reduce injuries, a strong foundation of thick and lush grass helps to create a beautiful environment that encourages children to spend time outdoors.

In 2010, Chevrolet, Scotts, and Ripken Design provided five field makeovers for youth baseball.

To see a before-and-after video of the 2010 Diamonds and Dreams field makeovers, please visit www.chevybaseball.com, or the Chevrolet YouTube channel.

* No Purchase Necessary. Ends May 31, 2011. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & DC, 18+. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received for the applicable drawing. For rules visit chevybaseball.com.

Source [media.gm.com]