I’ve never given a flying flip about the futures game myself, but I know that some people care, so I’ll give it a little face time here. Here’s hoping the next Griffey (minus the injuries) will be playing.

North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America Represented in All-Star Weekend Event; Over 30 Countries Now Represented In Professional Baseball In North America

( LAUSANNE, Switzerland) – Baseball’s global growth at the highest professional level continued this week with the announcement that up-and-coming players from 12 nations will play in the 2009 XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game, which will be held in St. Louis, Missouri (USA) on 12 July as part of Major League Baseball All-Star festivities.

The twelve nations – the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Italy, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Japan, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and the Netherlands Antilles – is among the most diverse in the eleven year history of the game, which will be televised in over 200 countries.

The diversity in the Futures Game, which will feature the rising stars of baseball, coupled with the latest global fan voting for the All-Star game (which has players from five different nations leading at their respective positions), further shows the sport’s global growth at the Major League level in North America.

“Every week there is another example of the rapid international growth that baseball is witnessing, whether it is a large increase in Little League participation in Europe, new school programmes in Africa or Asia, or new sponsors in Latin America,” said IBAF President Dr. Harvey Schiller. “The diversity in nations that will be represented during the Major League Baseball All-Star festivities is further proof that the game at the highest level is also growing quickly, with many of these younger stars already exposed to international play through the Olympics, the World Baseball Classic and other events. This will help baseball gain even more exposure in emerging nations, and it shows that the future of the sport on a global basis is very bright.”

As of this week, over 30 nations from six continents are now represented in professional major and minor league baseball in North America, the highest amount of nations in the sport’s history.

About the International Baseball Federation (IBAF)
Founded in 1938, the International Baseball Federation is a non-governmental organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as administering men’s and women’s baseball at the world level. Located in Lausanne, Switzerland – the Olympic Capital – and counting 125 National Member Federations, the IBAF organises the IBAF Men’s and Women’s Baseball World Cup, the AAA (18U) and AA (16U) World Championships, the Olympic Games Baseball Tournament, and it sanctions the World Baseball Classic, among other international baseball tournaments. The IBAF works to develop and grow the game of baseball around the world. For more information, please visit www.ibaf.org.

New Youth Baseball Initiative Expands on RBI Program for its 20th Anniversary

As part of the Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI) Program’s 20th anniversary celebration, Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced the formation of the Jr. RBI Program presented by KPMG, a youth outreach program that will create playing divisions for children ages 6 to 12. Like the RBI program, the Jr. RBI Program is designed to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball, encourage academic participation and achievement and teach the value of teamwork.

The Jr. RBI Program presented by KPMG has committed to 16 pilot cities across the country. Pilot cities are Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City, Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Bradenton (FL), Chicago, Cincinnati, Jackson (MS), Jersey City (NJ), Nashville, Sacramento, Seattle and St. Louis. The Jr. RBI Program presented by KPMG will provide baseball and softball leagues to the underserved youth of those communities.

“Over the past 20 years, RBI has provided a vehicle for inner city youth to play the game of baseball and learn valuable life lessons,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “The launch of Jr. RBI presented by KPMG is an exciting step in bridging the gap for the children in these communities to enter this important process at a young age. I look forward to the further success and development of both programs.”

“We are honored to celebrate the expansion of the RBI program on Jackie Robinson Day,” said Tim Flynn, Chairman of KPMG, LLP. “Jackie represents the kind of role model as both competitor and citizen that the RBI program strives to create. This is our third year partnering with Major League Baseball on RBI and we look forward to giving thousands more kids the chance to play baseball and softball and benefit from the educational and life-skill programs that has made the RBI program such a great success.”

To commemorate Jackie Robinson Day on Wednesday, April 15, MLB and RBI hosted a RBI Presented by KPMG Clinic, sponsored by Nike. The event at the Harlem RBI Fields in New York involved 100 RBI players (50 from Harlem RBI and 50 from the new Jackie Robinson Jr. RBI Program in Jersey City, NJ) and covered basic baseball skills. The clinic was run by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. New York Mets Outfielder Jeremy Reed, ESPN Broadcaster Joe Morgan, Sharon Robinson, Daughter of Jackie, MLB Executive Vice President of Business Tim Brosnan and KPMG Executives also attended. Nike provided apparel for all participants and has donated equipment to RBI programs around the country.

“Nike is pleased to partner with Major League Baseball and its activities to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day,” said Leroy Ebanks, Nike US Brand Manager, Field Sports. “We are honored to supply apparel for the RBI clinic and equipment for participating RBI programs around the country. It is our hope that Nike’s support of this event will assist in the participation and development of children who wish to follow the path of one of America’s inspirational and iconic trailblazers, the great Jackie Robinson.”

The launch of the new Jr. RBI program is an important element of the RBI Program’s 20th Anniversary, and will be celebrated with the inaugural Jr. RBI Classic presented by KPMG in July during All-Star Week in St. Louis. MLB also will host the 17th Annual RBI World Series presented by KPMG, in Jupiter, FL in August.

KPMG has partnered with Major League Baseball since 2007 to sponsor hundreds of baseball and softball clinics around the country. KPMG also teamed with Major League Baseball to establish the RBI for RBI Scholarship fund in 2008 which provides financial help to RBI participants who exhibit exceptional athletic and academic commitment.

One of the highlights this year is the Jr. RBI Classic presented by KPMG, which will be held July 10-13 in St. Louis, MO. A regular season team in the 11-12 age division from each of the 16 Jr. RBI pilot cities will travel to St. Louis to participate in a friendly 32-game tournament. Teams will also get the opportunity to participate in MLB All-Star FanFest and attend MLB All-Star Week events such as the XM All-Star Futures Game, and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.

The 17th annual RBI World Series presented by KPMG will be hosted August 4-14 at Roger Dean Stadium, the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals shared Spring Training site in Jupiter, Florida. The RBI World Series is the championship round of the RBI program, the Major League Baseball youth baseball and softball initiative presented by KPMG.

Since it was established in 1989 by former scout and Major Leaguer John Young, the RBI program has provided a path for many players to enter the college and professional game. The program has a presence in more than 200 cities worldwide, and annually provides more than 100,000 boys and girls with the opportunity to play baseball and softball. MLB and its Clubs have designated more than $30 million worth of resources to the RBI program and all 30 Major League Baseball Clubs have supported RBI programs. More than 180 RBI participants have been drafted by Major League Clubs in the program’s 20-year history. RBI alumni currently playing in the big leagues include: Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay Rays), Coco Crisp (Kansas City Royals), James Loney (Los Angeles Dodgers), CC Sabathia (New York Yankees), Justin Upton (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Yovani Gallardo (Milwaukee Brewers).

“Options were limited for a guy like me,” said Crawford. “RBI allowed me to be seen by people who normally wouldn’t have had the chance to see me.”

“Without RBI I wouldn’t be in the big leagues,” said Crisp. “There are so many other things that people can get into during their free time. I guess I found a lot of other places to play, but RBI helped me on the baseball field and as well in the classroom and I like to give back.”

RBI presented by KPMG is one of many Major League Baseball initiatives dedicated to enhancing youth participation and interest in baseball and softball. Specifically, RBI is designed to promote interest in the sport, increase the self-esteem of disadvantaged children, and encourage kids to stay in school. RBI programs have been started in more than 200 cities worldwide, and annually provide as many as 100,000 boys and girls the opportunity to play baseball and softball. For more information, please visit: http://www.mlb.com/rbi

CINCINNATI (March 16, 2009) — Reds fans can bid now on reds.com for seats in the new Champions Club Boxes on Opening Day.

The Champion Club Boxes feature an outdoor bar area and in-seat service, in addition to access to the new all-inclusive FOX Sports Ohio Champions Club and its unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Packages of four, six and eight tickets are available, with auctions ending either Friday, March 20, at noon ET or Friday, March 27, at noon ET.

Place your bids here on the auction site.

The FOX Sports Ohio Champions Club (formerly known as the FSN Ohio Club 4192) is located on the first base side of GABP. The 2009 Opening Day game is Monday, April 6 vs the New York Mets. First pitch is 1:10 p.m.

All proceeds from the Champions Club Box auctions will benefit the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. All winning bids will receive annual memberships to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.

CINCINNATI — Brandon Phillips today was named the Reds’ recipient of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. He is one of 30 Major League Club nominees for the national 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community. Tomorrow will mark the seventh annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball in 2002 to honor the legacy of Roberto Clemente, and Phillips will be honored in a pregame ceremony.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy, is part of Chevy’s official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, and recognizes those players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award is named for Clemente, a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award perpetuates Clemente’s legacy and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Fans are encouraged to participate in the selection of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. From September 3rd through October 5th, 2008, fans can log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 Club nominees.

Since arriving in Cincinnati in 2006, Brandon has emerged as one of the Reds’ top players on the field and in the community. In 2008, he contributed $25,000 to help restore a baseball field at Clark Montessori School in Winton Place. The new complex will be known as “Brandon Phillips Field” and will serve as the home for Cincinnati’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program as well as for all Clark Montessori varsity and junior varsity baseball home games. Phillips has participated in school visits, Reds Heads Kids Club activities, the Reds Rookie Success League, the Reds winter caravan and Redfest.

The fan vote winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Participating fans automatically will be registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2008 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy will be announced.

As the official sponsor of the Roberto Clemente Award, Chevy will donate $7,500 to the charity of choice of each of the 30 Club recipients. Chevy also will donate $30,000 and a Chevy vehicle to the national winner’s charity of choice and an additional $30,000 will be donated by Chevy to Roberto Clemente Sports City, a not-for-profit organization in Carolina, Puerto Rico, designed to provide recreational sports activities for children.

As I listen to Yadier Molina homer against the Rockies in this stupidly quiet second day of the season, I’m thinking about this press release I got in my inbox yesterday.

March 31, 2008

Missouri lawmaker takes on Major League Basebal

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As Major League Baseball and its Player’s Association discuss a new drug testing policy, Missouri State Representative Jeff Roorda has filed legislation to let the MLB know what he thinks the new standards should be.

He filed legislation today that would prohibit state tax credits from going to professional sports teams in a league that does not place at least a one-year ban on athletes who test positive for anabolic steroids.

MLB’s current policy calls for such a ban only after the fourth failed test. Roorda’s legislation would call on professional sports league to place such a ban on a player after the first violation.

“Since when in baseball is it four strikes and you’re out?” Roorda, D-Barnhart, said. “What major league baseball and all professional sports leagues need are for their executives to step forward and take a strong stand to end the scandal of the steroid era. What we need is a modern-day Kenesaw Mountain Landis,” Roorda added, referring to the legendary baseball commissioner who exiled the Chicago Black Sox in 1920 and sent a powerful message to all of Major League Baseball that gambling would not be tolerated.

It goes on, but you get the gist. I haven’t been able to find any mentions of this in “legitimate” media, so it’s either an elaborate April Fool’s Day joke, or not very interesting. I’m not sure which: I’m afraid I’ve lose my sense of interesting on this stupidly boring second day of the season.

Though, I did get to hear the FSN Midwest tagline–“Where Cardinals fans come first!”–which gave me a good laugh. I’m pretty sure they’re faking it.