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MLB players, managers and coaches pledge support for members of the baseball family

Jim Martin presents to the Washington Nationals during the B.A.T. Spring Training Tour. (B.A.T. Photo)

For the sixth consecutive year, representatives from the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) embarked on a Spring Training tour to raise funds for members of the baseball family in need.

The tour kicked off with visits from B.A.T. representatives to 12 Major League teams in the Cactus League in Arizona that resulted in approximately 350 players, managers and coaches making charitable contributions.

Visits were then made to 18 Grapefruit League clubhouses in Florida where B.A.T. received additional support totaling $850,000.

During the Spring Training tour, which is B.A.T.'s largest annual fundraiser, more than 850 Major League players, managers and coaches and Minor League players committed approximately $1.4 million in donations to B.A.T., bringing the commitment to more than $6 million pledged over six years. This was a 12% increase in monetary contributions and an additional 50 participants compared to last year's tour.

B.A.T. Info • What is B.A.T.? • B.A.T. Grant Application • History of B.A.T. • B.A.T. Donation Form B.A.T. News • Former Yanks great, B.A.T. Chairman Murcer dies at 62 • BAT hosts 19th annual awards dinner • View 2008 B.A.T. Dinner photos: Cocktail Hour | Dinner • $1.4 million raised as B.A.T. wraps up Spring Training tour • B.A.T. Spring Training tour continues in March • B.A.T. honors 1968 World Series teams at 19th annual dinner • MLB Clubhouse Visits • Winn puts his money where his B.A.T. is • McDowell pitching for greater cause B.A.T. Board of Directors Ted Sizemore, President/CEO Bob Gibson, Vice President Frank Torre, Vice President Greg Wilcox, Vice President Ruben Amaro, Sr. Steve Garvey Joe Morgan Jim Pongracz, Process Development Corp Robin Roberts Cookie Rojas Ed Stack, Retired, Chairman, National Baseball Hall of Fame Randy Winn Advisory Board Jay Bell Carl Erskine Whitey Ford Joe Girardi Lou Gorman, Boston Red Sox Lou Johnson Sandy Koufax Willie Mays Jim Palmer Don Zimmer Operations James Martin, Executive Director Thomas Ostertag, Secretary Scott Stamp, Treasurer Mark Letendre, Vice President Sam McDowell, Consultant Erik Nilsen, Coordinator Paola Patiño, Administrative Assistant The Baseball Assistance Team 245 Park Avenue - 31st Floor New York, NY 10167 TEL: 212- 931- 7822 FAX: 212- 949- 5433 Website: baseballassistanceteam.com

The donations will be made through a payroll deduction program, which allows Major League Baseball players, managers and coaches and Minor League players to provide funding for B.A.T. throughout the course of the season.

"The B.A.T. organization is very grateful to the members of the different teams that stepped up to the plate and made this year's Spring Training Tour a success," said B.A.T. Executive Director Jim Martin. "The assistance that this financial support provides will enable members of the baseball family to continue to receive the necessary services that they may otherwise lack."

During the tour, representatives from the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) including Bob Gibson, Cookie Rojas, Randy Winn, Ted Sizemore and Sam McDowell took time at various clubhouses to assist with the fundraising efforts. Joining the B.A.T. representatives for the presentations were several B.A.T. recipients who shared stories of the positive effects B.A.T. has had on their lives and those of their families.

B.A.T.'s assistance takes a variety of forms including financial grants, healthcare programs and rehabilitative counseling. Through charitable contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals, B.A.T. strives to provide a means of support to people who are unable to help themselves.

B.A.T., a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, has awarded more than $16 million in grants to date, benefiting more than 2,100 members of the baseball family, including former Major League players, managers, coaches, scouts, umpires, athletic trainers, front office personnel as well as Minor League players, Negro League players, their widows and children and players from the Women's Professional Baseball League. All aid provided by B.A.T. is strictly confidential, allowing those in need to receive help discreetly.


Contact B.A.T.:
Baseball Assistance Team
245 Park Avenue
31st Floor
New York, NY 10167
(212) 931-7822
BAT@mlb.com

Poll Question

Which B.A.T. Board Member would most interest you in a cover story? (choose one) Bob Gibson Robin Roberts Frank Torre Bobby Murcer Ted Sizemore Cookie Rojas