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SEATTLE MARINERS IN THE COMMUNITY
Transcript

SEATTLE MARINERS

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OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE:

To support youth-oriented community service programs and other worthy projects in the Pacifi c Northwest.

The Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always SeeThe Side of Mariners Baseball You Don’t Always See

One of the key aspects of the Seattle Mariners’ presence in the Pacifi c Northwest is the team’s commitment to give back to the community. Major League Baseball provides wonderful opportunities for the Mariners, our fans, our players, our corporate partners, and our staff to make a positive impact on the quality of life in the Northwest, especially for children.

Through Mariners Care, the Mariners’ non-profi t foundation, over $1,004,000 was raised for youth programs in 2011. In addition, Mariners Care programs were able to benefi t hundreds of charities in our community and thousands of youngsters were able to attend a Major League game. I am particularly proud of our players, coaches, and staff who personally supported these activities with hundreds of volunteer hours.

Mariners Care is committed to making the Pacifi c Northwest a better place for our children to grow up by impacting youth-oriented community service programs and other worthy projects with the support they desperately need and deserve.

The Mariners wish to thank everyone throughout our community who has been a part of Mariners Care. The story is captured on the following pages and we hope you will join us in our continuing eff orts to expand the work of Mariners Care.

Warmest regards,

Howard LincolnChairman and Chief Executive Offi cerSeattle Mariners

Educational Programs .................................... 2Mariner Moose DREAM Team Assembly Program

Presented by MicrosoftMariners-Nikon Social Responsibility ProgramMariners-Nikon Earth Day Program Refuse To Abuse CampaignMariners Education Day Jackie Robinson Scholarship Night

Children and Family Health ............................ 4 Cystic Fibrosis Mariners Care Golf TournamentFight Hunger Night Presented by News Talk 97.3 KIRO FMPLAY CampaignMariners Get Well Tour Presented by Holland America LineMake-A-Wish FoundationDave Niehaus Memorial Patch

Mariners Wives Charities ................................ 8Mariners Wives Grab-BagsFavorite Things Basket Auction

Community Outreach Programs ...................... 9Salute To Volunteers NightSpecial Olympics Softball Game at Safeco FieldToys for Kids Holiday TourSeattle Mariners Caravan

Charitable Fundraisers ................................. 12Mariners Care Silent AuctionsMariners Care Speed PitchJapan Relief Eff ortsSalute To Armed Forces NightROOT SPORTS–Mariners Teleauction

Statistical Programs .................................... 13Alaska Airlines Home Runs for WishesVerizon Wireless Refuse To Abuse®Novo Nordisk Defense Against Diabetes Double PlaysING DIRECT Saves for KidsTrader Joe’s Home Run Distance Program

Major League Baseball Initiatives ................. 14Jackie Robinson DayMother’s Day: Going To Bat Against Breast CancerFather’s Day: Prostate Cancer Foundation

Home Run ChallengePlay Sun Smart4 ALSRoberto Clemente DayWelcome Back VeteransBoys & Girls Clubs of AmericaCommissioner’s Community Initiative

Youth Baseball and Softball Programs ........... 16 Baseball Tomorrow Fund Equipment DayReviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) LeagueAquafi na Pitch, Hit & Run

Seattle Mariners in the Community .............. 19

How to Contact Mariners Care ....................... 20

Table of Contents

1

2

Mariner Moose DREAM Team Assembly Program Presented by MicrosoftThe Mariners and Microsoft teamed up throughout the year to promote education and bring the Mariner Moose

DREAM Team School Assembly Program to ten elementary schools in Washington State. The Moose’s DREAM Team is a comprehensive educational program that uses the team’s popular mascot as a vehicle to stress the importance of the DREAM principles: Drug-free, Respect for yourself and others, Education, Attitude, and Motivation to help achieve your dreams. Thanks to Microsoft, each school also received select Mariners school supplies for students who set and achieved their reading goals.

Mariners-Nikon Social Responsibility ProgramNikon and the Mariners provided select Puget Sound area elementary schools with the opportunity to attend

a Mariners game and receive new digital cameras for use in their creative arts programs. The digital cameras and ticket donations, valued at $17,898, benefi ted students at 19 diff erent schools.

Educational Programs

Mariners-Nikon Earth Day ProgramThe Mariners and Nikon recognized fi ve local

elementary schools for their green initiatives. Each school received a donation of digital SLR cameras and tickets to a Mariners game, valued at $4,027, for their eff orts to make our communities a more environmentally-friendly place.

Refuse To Abuse®The Mariners and the Washington State Coalition

Against Domestic Violence have teamed up since 1997 to support the “Refuse To Abuse” campaign, a season-long awareness campaign designed to encourage a commitment to prevent violence in intimate relationships. The campaign features radio and print public service advertisements, in both English and Spanish, and delivers the message that we should, “speak up and not be silent about domestic violence.”

On August 12, Mariners Care hosted the annual Verizon Wireless HopeLine Cell Phone Drive at Safeco Field. Over 1,000 cell phones were collected and refurbished by Verizon, complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service, to support local shelters and victims of domestic violence.

3

Mariners Education DayOn May 5, the Mariners held their fourteenth annual Mariners Education Day. Mariners players, coaches, and

broadcasters separated into six groups and visited six diff erent elementary schools around the Seattle area. The Mariners spoke to kids at Beacon Hill International, Bow Lake, View Ridge, Mark Twain, Maplewood Heights, and Parkside about the importance of education and adhering to the Mariners’ DREAM Team principles. The event enabled the team to deliver a positive message to over 3,000 students in one day.

Jackie Robinson Scholarship NightOn August 16, Mariners Care, The Evergreen State College, and Seattle Central

Community College teamed up for the tenth annual Jackie Robinson Scholarship Night. Three students, Miriam Alcantar, Adriana Herrera, and Waylon Littleton were awarded scholarships for undergraduate tuition at Evergreen for their outstanding academic achievements, community involvement, and demonstration of the ideals of quality and acceptance exemplifi ed by Jackie Robinson throughout his career.

4

Cystic Fibrosis Mariners Care Golf TournamentThe Cystic Fibrosis Mariners Care Golf Tournament, held annually since 1986,

has helped the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in their on-going eff orts to fi nd a cure for CF, a fatal disease affl icting children and young adults. The 2011 tournament, led by Tournament Co-Chairs Shawn Kelley and Doug Fister, was held at The Golf Club at Newcastle on June 30, and raised over $200,000 for CF research. To date, over $4,660,000 has been raised through the Cystic Fibrosis Mariners Care Golf Tournament for the CF Foundation.

Children and Family Health

5

Fight Hunger Night Presented by News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM

On June 18, Mariners Care and News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM hosted Fight Hunger Night, the annual food drive to benefi t Northwest Harvest. Mariners fans were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to Safeco Field and, through their generosity, $7,334 and 825 pounds of food were collected for families facing hunger throughout the year.

PLAY CampaignOn August 2, the

Mariners hosted the third annual PLAY Campaign event at Safeco Field for kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Seattle RBI League. PLAY – which stands for Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth – is a public awareness campaign developed by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) to combat child obesity.

Mariners Athletic Trainers Rick Griffi n and Rob Nodine teamed up with Mariners catchers Miguel Olivo, Chris Gimenez, and Adam Moore, and pitchers Josh Lueke and Chris Ray, to encourage youth to be active, eat right, and sustain a healthy lifestyle.

6

Mariners Get Well Tour Presented by Holland America LineThe Mariners and Holland America Line teamed up in 2011 to bring the Mariners

Get Well Tour to hospitals in the Northwest. Mariners players, including Felix Hernandez, Franklin Gutierrez, Dustin Ackley, Josh Bard, Mike Carp, Jamey Wright, and Alex Liddi, joined the Mariner Moose to visit kids and Veterans at Seattle Children’s, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, and the Seattle VA. At each stop, the players and the Moose provided autographs, photos, and various gifts courtesy of the Mariners and Holland America Line.

Dave Niehaus Memorial PatchDuring the 2011 season, the Mariners wore a

special patch on the right sleeve of their jerseys in memory of Dave Niehaus. The patches were also sold at Mariners Team Stores, with all proceeds benefi ting the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), one of Dave’s favorite charities. FAAN helps raise public awareness, provide advocacy and education, and advance research on behalf of all those aff ected by food allergies and anaphylaxis. Over $55,000 was raised for FAAN in 2011.

7

Make-A-Wish FoundationThe Mariners annually support the Make-A-Wish Foundation by hosting kids who suff er from life-threatening

medical conditions and wish to meet a Major Leaguer. Since 2000, the Mariners have also kicked-off each baseball season with a ceremonial Opening Day run-around-the-bases from a young Mariners fan from Make-A-Wish. On April 8, eleven-year-old Kamrin Cramer helped open the 2011 season.

8

Mariners Wives Grab-BagsOn June 17, the Mariners Wives held their

annual Grab-Bag fundraiser at Safeco Field. Fans were able to purchase mystery bags, featuring autographed baseballs from members of the 2011 Seattle Mariners. Thanks to all participating fans, $23,000 was raised for Mariners Care, the Seattle Mariners non-profi t foundation.

Favorite Things Basket AuctionOn August 12, the Mariners Wives showcased

and auctioned off baskets containing their husbands’ favorite items. Mariners fans had the chance to bid on these baskets full of music, food, clothing, movies, and many autographed and game-used items. The auction raised $14,000 for the Mariners Care Foundation.

Mariners Wives Charities

9

Special Olympics Softball Game at Safeco FieldOn August 14, the Mariners and ROOT SPORTS teamed up for the ninth annual Special Olympics Softball Game

at Safeco Field. Prior to the game, each participant had the opportunity to meet Mariners catcher Chris Gimenez, outfi elder Trayvon Robinson, and pitchers Blake Beavan, Dan Cortes, Brandon League, Josh Lueke, Jason Vargas, and Tom Wilhelmsen.

Salute To Volunteers NightOn April 12, the Mariners hosted the third annual

Salute To Volunteers Night at Safeco Field. The event featured a volunteer bazaar on the Main Concourse to provide information to fans on how to get started giving to a cause or organization. The night also included a pre-game ceremony honoring the 2010 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winners for their exceptional eff orts in our community.

Community Outreach Programs

Toys for Kids Holiday TourRick Rizzs and Dave Henderson once again

coordinated a group of past and present Mariners players, coaches, and broadcasters to spend time spreading cheer and delivering gifts throughout the holiday season with their annual Toys for Kids holiday tour.

On November 5, Rick and Dave also teamed up with the Seattle Mariners RBI Club to host the Eleventh Annual Toys for Kids Dinner and Auction. The event raised over $138,000 to benefi t disadvantaged children and families in the Puget Sound area. Benefi ting charities included Atlantic Street Center, Harborview Medical Center, Ronald McDonald House Seattle, Seattle Children’s Home, Hopelink, The Country Doctor, YWCA Seattle Emergency Housing, Broadview Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing, The Healing Center, Family & Adult Service Center, Vision House, Union Gospel Mission, and First Place.

OREGON

10

January 28 • Olympia, WA

January 27 • Bellingham, WA

January 27 • Surrey, BC

January 26 • Seattle, WA

January 19 • Tacoma, WA

January 20 • Portland, OR

January 21 • Longview, WA

January 19 • Tacoma, WA

OREGON

Seattle Mariners CaravanThe 2011 Seattle Mariners Caravan hit the road

January 10-28, visiting Mariners fans of all ages in 21 communities across the Pacifi c Northwest. On the tour, Mariners players, coaches, and broadcasters visited kids at elementary schools, hospitals, and Boys & Girls Clubs and hosted complimentary autograph sessions for the public. Fans also had the opportunity to meet and have their photo taken with the Mariner Moose. Mariners players who participated in the Caravan included Dustin Ackley, Michael Saunders, Brandon League, Shawn Kelley, Luke French, Doug Fister, and Josh Wilson. Also joining in the events were broadcasters Rick Rizzs, Dave Sims, and Dave Valle.

CANADA

WASHINGTONIDAHO

11

January 12 • Spokane, WA

January 11 • Moses Lake, WA

January 11 • Wenatchee, WA

January 10 • Yakima, WA

January 27 • Surrey, BC

January 19 • Tacoma, WA

January 13 • Walla Walla, WAJanuary 14 • Tri-Cities, WA

12

Salute To Armed Forces NightOn April 23, as part of the Seattle Mariners annual

Salute to Armed Forces Night at Safeco Field, Mariners Care hosted a special silent auction to benefi t the USO, The United Services Organizations. The USO is a non-profi t organization dedicated to meeting the needs of America’s military personnel who face harm and hardship. In addition, funds were collected at each gate to benefi t the VFW Troop Support Program, which sends care packages to our front line troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

ROOT SPORTS–Mariners TeleauctionROOT SPORTS and the Mariners teamed up to host

an on-line teleauction during the August 31 telecast to raise funds for Special Olympics and Mariners Care. The second-year event raised $15,000.

Mariners Care Silent AuctionsEach Saturday home game, the Mariners host

Silent Auctions to benefi t Mariners Care, the team’s non-profi t foundation. Fans have the opportunity to bid on select memorabilia including autographed baseballs, jerseys, game-used bats, and several other unique items. The Silent Auctions, held at Section 128 at Safeco Field, begin when the gates open and conclude at the end of the sixth inning. In 2011, thanks to the support of all participating Mariners fans, the Mariners Care Silent Auctions raised $90,636, raising the twelve-year total to $1,006,740.

Mariners Care Speed PitchEach Mariners home game, fans have the

opportunity to test their arms against the Major Leaguers with an offi cial radar gun and help raise money for charity at the Mariners Care Speed Pitch, located on the Main Concourse in Center Field. Thanks to participating Mariners fans, $19,331 was raised in 2011 for the Mariners Care Foundation.

Charitable Fundraisers

Japan Relief Eff ortsDuring the month of April, over $110,000 was

raised through auctions and Safeco Field gate collections for the Red Cross to assist with earthquake and tsunami disaster relief eff orts in Japan. Mariners Care, the Mariners non-profi t foundation, made an additional $100,000 donation for a total contribution of $210,000.

13

Statistical Programs

Alaska Airlines Home Runs for Wishes Alaska Airlines donated 10,000 Alaska Airlines

Mileage Plan miles to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska and Washington for every Mariners home run and 40,000 miles for every Mariners grand slam. In 2011, 1,180,000 miles, valued at $32,450, were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Verizon Wireless Refuse To Abuse®For every Mariners win, Verizon Wireless donated

$200 to the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In 2011, the Mariners won 67 games for a total donation of $13,400.

Trader Joe’s Home Run Distance ProgramTrader Joe’s made a donation to the Emergency

Feeding Program of King County for each home run hit over 350 feet by a Mariners player. The 2011 total donation was $7,500.

Novo Nordisk Defense Against Diabetes Double Plays

For every double play turned at Safeco Field, Novo Nordisk and the Mariners donated $100 split equally between American Diabetes Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The fi rst year program raised $7,400.

ING DIRECT Saves for KidsFor every save recorded by a Mariners pitcher in

2011, ING DIRECT donated $1,000 to Seattle Children’s. The Mariners had 39 saves for a total donation of $39,000. The program has raised $77,000 in two seasons for uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s.

14

Jackie Robinson DayOn April 15, the

Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals celebrated Jackie Robinson Day at Kauff man Stadium, in honor of the 64th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the game’s color barrier. As part of Jackie Robinson Day, established in 2004 by MLB, all Mariners and Royals players and coaches wore #42 in his honor.

On April 18, the Mariners also held a pre-game ceremony at Safeco Field featuring Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars. The Jackie Robinson Foundation is a non-profi t organization founded by Rachel Robinson as a vehicle to perpetuate the memory of Jackie Robinson and his achievements and provides educational and leadership development opportunities for minority students with strong capabilities, but limited fi nancial resources.

Mother’s Day: Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer

On Mother’s Day, the Mariners and Major League Baseball once again partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to “Go To Bat Against Breast Cancer.” The league-wide initiative helped raise funds and awareness for the fi ght against breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today.

Father’s Day: Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge

MLB, the Seattle Mariners, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation team up each year during Father’s Day week for the Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge. Each home run hit during the week raises awareness and needed funds to fi ght prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in America.

Major League Baseball Initiatives

Play Sun SmartTo promote early detection, the Seattle Mariners,

MLB, MLBPA, and the American Academy of Dermatology have teamed up to help raise awareness about the dangers of skin cancer and how people can Play Sun Smart.

4 ALSOn August 3,

the Mariners and MLB teamed up for the third year of the 4 ALSinitiative in an eff ort to help raise awareness and fi nancial support for organizations leading the fi ght against ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), otherwise known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” The Mariners and MLB partnered with four organizations whose primary goal is to fi nd a cure for ALS: The ALS Association, ALS TDI, MDA/Augie’s Quest, and Project ALS.

TM

15

Roberto Clemente Day

Since 1971, Major League Baseball has annually presented an award to recognize a player who combines outstanding skills on the fi eld with devoted work in the community. In 1973, the award was re-named in honor of Roberto Clemente, who died on December 31, 1972, during a humanitarian mission to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua. In 2002, Major League Baseball created Roberto Clemente Day as a league-wide eff ort to honor the memory of Roberto Clemente and recognize each Club’s local winner. On September 14, pitcher Felix Hernandez was named the Mariners local winner and national nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. Each nominee receives a $7,500 donation to the charity of his choice. Felix selected the Make-A-Wish Foundation as his charity of choice.

Welcome Back VeteransIn 2011,

the Mariners joined Major League Baseball to support the fourth year of the Welcome Back Veterans campaign, a series of fundraising and awareness initiatives which addresses the mental health and job needs of returning American Veterans. As part of the campaign, the Mariners also provided hundreds of tickets for local veterans and their families to a game at Safeco Field.

Commissioner’s Community InitiativeThe Seattle Mariners and Major League Baseball

hosted kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs and other youth-related charities at the ballpark throughout the 2011 season as part of the Commissioner’s Community Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to provide tickets to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a baseball game.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the offi cial charity of Major League Baseball. Known as the “Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide character development programs on a daily basis, conducted by full and part-time trained professional staff and volunteers. Since 1997, MLB and B&GCA have established hundreds of new RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and Rookie Leagues and increased exposure for B&GCA through MLB produced print, radio and television public service advertising campaigns. The partnership has resulted in more than $20 million in direct and indirect support for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

16

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) League

Mariners Care, together with the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Baseball Tomorrow Fund, and Teammates For Kids Foundation, sponsored the eighteenth season of the Seattle RBI League in 2011. RBI off ers inner-city boys and girls, ages 5-18, the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of baseball and softball by providing them with a safe, organized athletic program. The RBI League also features a life skills training program that concentrates on citizenship and academics.

Baseball Tomorrow Fund Equipment DayOn June 25, the Seattle Mariners and the Baseball

Tomorrow Fund held the seventh annual equipment collection drive at Safeco Field to support the growth of youth baseball and softball in the Pacifi c Northwest. With the help of Mariners pitcher David Aardsma, fans were encouraged to bring new or gently used equipment to the ballpark to benefi t the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and the Seattle RBI League. Each participating fan received an autographed David Aardsma photo.

Mariners fans contributed $8,000 in equipment and cash donations for the RBI League. In addition, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, a program that funds new fi elds, equipment, and uniforms to youth baseball and softball programs, presented the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County with a $5,000 grant toward the purchase of new equipment.

Youth Baseball and Softball Programs

17

Aquafi na Pitch, Hit & RunAquafi na Pitch, Hit & Run, Major League Baseball’s offi cial youth skills

competition, is a grassroots program for boys and girls, ages 7-14, that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball skills. Winners from each of the four age divisions (7-8, 9-10, 11-12, & 13-14) can advance through four levels of competition, including Local, Sectional, Team Championships, and the National Finals at the MLB All-Star Game. The 2011 program featured over 4,000

competitions and reached over 600,000 boys and girls.

On June 19, the Mariners were pleased to host the 2011 Seattle Mariners Team Championship at Safeco Field for the top Sectional qualifi ers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and British Columbia. At the Team Championship, eight-year-old Emeka Egbuka, from DuPont, WA, and fourteen-year-old Bayly Poor, from Union, OR, each posted one of the top three scores in their age division for all of the United States and Canada, earning both a trip to the National Finals at the All-Star Game in Phoenix, AZ. At the All-Star Game, Bayly fi nished second in the nation and Emeka was crowned the 2011 Aquafi na Pitch, Hit, & Run National Champion.

18

Bayly Poor of Union, OR, is a 2011 Aquafi na Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run National Finalist. Bayly shared her Pitch, Hit & Run experiences with MLB.com.

I remember my dad waking me up one morning in May. He was planning on me doing the Pitch Hit & Run Local Competition that day and I was not so sure. I had a little league softball game later that day, but with a little help from my mom, he managed to convince me. Naturally the competition was in Union, my hometown, so plenty of people I knew were there to watch me...I admit, in the beginning, I was a little hesitant to compete, especially when I found out they announced the winners at a school assembly! I was forced to stand in front of the entire student body with a bunch of younger kids. The one upside to that was that my sister, who was also a Pitch, Hit & Run Local winner, was right there with me, sharing the embarrassment of standing in front of my peers. Little did I know that my stage fright was something I needed to overcome, and fast, for the greatest experience of my life was something I would soon share with thousands of people!

I also won at the Sectional Competition and then one day in early June I woke to my Dad talking to my brother in the living room, right outside my bedroom door. My dad was talking especially loud today, which would only mean he was very excited. I had to do some eavesdropping. I didn’t hear much before the conversation ended, but I heard enough to come to

the conclusion that I was going to the Seattle Mariners Pitch, Hit & Run Team Championship Competition at Safeco Field. I made it!!! So when my dad heard me moving about in my room, he came in, and his excitement immediately multiplied in me when I realized that this was more than a simple trip to Seattle.

Over 45,000 people went to the Mariners game the day I competed. It didn’t matter whether or not I was competing in front of them, not when I fi rst found out about it. That changed the minute I walked onto Safeco Field, in front of so many people. I realized then that if I was competing in front of all of them, I’d probably forget to breathe, but we were just being announced before the game and then would compete on the fi eld after the game. As scared as I was, I couldn’t help being completely amazed by the number of people, and the total awesomeness of the stadium. I decided something about baseball that day, for it was my fi rst Major League Baseball game. Unlike hockey or football, baseball is a family thing. The atmosphere of a ball game is so much more inviting, fun and clean vs. that of another sport. In the midst of my anxiety, I admired that. And the people helping with Pitch, Hit & Run that day, the volunteers, those were some of the nicest people I’d ever met.

What a great day, after the game we competed and I won 1st place for my age division at Safeco Field on Father’s Day. They gave me a 1st place plaque shaped like home plate. That was amazing to me. I was incredibly honored, and never imagined that I would be in contention for the Pitch, Hit & Run National Finals. I’m still processing that I’m one of the best girls my age in the country. One of the top three in the nation! Can you believe it? It’s early July now and I wonder where the time has gone. I wonder what would have happened if I had refused to enter the competition that morning in May. I wonder where I would be without my Dad.

On the 27th of June, they would announce who advanced to the Pitch, Hit & Run National Finals on MLB Network. I told myself hundreds of times it wouldn’t be me, for I’m the kind of person that would rather doubt myself and receive a great surprise, than overestimate myself and become immensely disappointed. At the same time as the show, I had a volleyball game. I discovered the truth afterwards, when my dad called me. I knew I had advanced to the National Finals in Arizona before I even reached for the phone…for my mom’s smile said it all. Only after my conversation with my Dad though, did I fully understand what an amazing adventure I had yet to embark upon. There comes a time in everyone’s life when they realize that their lives are just beginning. That time for me is now.

Pitch, Hit & Run National Finalist BlogBy Bayly Poor

19

Eric Wedge• Refuse To Abuse Campaign

- WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence• Prostate Cancer Foundation• Mariners Care• Toys for Kids

Dustin Ackley• Seattle Mariners Caravan

- Boys & Girls Clubs - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

• Mariners Get Well Tour - Seattle VA Health Care System

• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Blake Beavan• Mariners-Nikon Social Responsibility Program• Special Olympics of Washington• Seattle Mariners Caravan• Mariners Get Well Tour

- Kadlec Medical Center - Sacred Heart Medical Center

• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

Mike Carp • Mariners Get Well Tour

- Seattle VA Health Care System• Seattle Mariners Caravan• Boys & Girls Clubs

Chone Figgins• Make-A-Wish Foundation• Jackie Robinson Foundation

Chris Gimenez• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation• Mariners-Nikon Social Responsibility Program• Special Olympics of Washington• PLAY Campaign• Seattle Mariners Caravan

Franklin Gutierrez• Mariners Get Well Tour

- Seattle Children’s Hospital • Refuse To Abuse Campaign

- WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence• Make-A-Wish Foundation

Felix Hernandez • Make-A-Wish Foundation• Refuse To Abuse Campaign

- WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence• Mariners Get Well Tour

- Seattle Children’s Hospital • The Martinez Foundation• Humane Society

Shawn Kelley• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

- Mariners Care Golf Tournament Co-Chair• Seattle Mariners Caravan• Mariners Get Well Tour

- Kadlec Medical Center - Sacred Heart Medical Center

• 4 ALS Campaign

Brandon League• It Gets Better Project• Seattle Mariners Caravan• Special Olympics of Washington

Alex Liddi• Mariners Get Well Tour

- Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital

Adam Moore• PLAY Campaign• Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Miguel Olivo• PLAY Campaign• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

Trayvon Robinson• Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) League• Special Olympics of Washington

Brendan Ryan• It Gets Better Project• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research• Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Michael Saunders• Seattle Mariners Caravan

- Boys & Girls Clubs - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

• Special Olympics of Washington• Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Kyle Seager• Seattle Children’s Hospital• 4 ALS Campaign

Justin Smoak• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Ichiro Suzuki • Red Cross• Make-A-Wish Foundation• Olive Crest

Jason Vargas• Special Olympics of Washington

Casper Wells• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

Tom Wilhelmsen• Mariners-Nikon Social Responsibility Program• Special Olympics of Washington• Seattle Mariners Caravan• Mariners Get Well Tour

- Kadlec Medical Center - Sacred Heart Medical Center

Mike Wilson• Mariners-Nikon Social Responsibility Program

Seattle Mariners in the Community

20

Mariners Care and the Seattle Mariners work throughout each year to support as many charitable organizations as possible. Requests for the opportunities below must be submitted in writing, on organizational letterhead, to the following address:

Seattle MarinersC/O (designate specifi c program from options below)

P.O. Box 4100Seattle, WA 98194

Charitable Donations: To request support from Mariners Care through an in-kind donation for a fundraiser, please submit request in writing, on organizational letterhead, at least six weeks before your event. More detailed guidelines for requesting a donation can be found on the Mariners website: Mariners.com.

DREAM Team Assembly Program: To request the Mariners DREAM Team Assembly at your elementary school, please send a letter of request on the school’s letterhead.

Speaker’s Bureau/Player Appearances: Appearance requests for current players, former players, and front offi ce personnel must be sent at least six weeks before your event. When requesting an appearance by a current player, please consider the Mariners travel schedule.

Ticket Donations: To request tickets for members of a non-profi t organization, please submit request in writing, on organizational letterhead, and include organization’s non-profi t tax ID number. Tickets are limited to select games and subject to availability.

Mariner Moose: The Mariner Moose is available for private, community, and corporate appearances. To book the Moose at your next event, please call the Mariner Moose Scheduling Hotline at (206) 346-4321, e-mail [email protected], or send your request in writing to the address above.

How to Contact Mariners Care

Mariners Care would like to thank its partners for their contributions

in supporting our community.

Editor: Sean Grindley Design: Carl Morton Contributors: Jeri Baer, Demetrius Grant, Gina Hasson, Korey Traynor Photographer: Ben VanHouten

Mariners Care • P.O. Box 4100 • Seattle, WA 98194(206) 346-4000

Mariners.com


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