MLB Initiatives
In recognition of Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man Speech", Major League Baseball and all 30 Clubs join together for "4-ALS", raising awareness and support for the fight against ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The Rays partner with the ALS Association Florida Chapter to bring awareness to fans about the disease through a fundraiser during Rays Fan Fest as well as a night at the ballpark every summer.
Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run is a free skills competition that provides boys and girls ages 7-14 the opportunity to showcase their pitching, hitting and running abilities at Tropicana Field. Winners advance through four levels of competition, including Team Championship events and the National Finals at the MLB All-Star Game.
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund was established in 1999 through a $10 million commitment by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. The initiative is designed to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball by funding programs, fields and equipment purchases. Each year the Rays host an equipment drive to collect fan donations of new and used equipment for youth organizations in the community.
Now in its sixteenth year, "Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life" is a baseball themed program that gives kids strategies to overcome obstacles in their lives. The curriculum is based on the values demonstrated by Jackie Robinson. The Breaking Barriers Essay Contest, which encourages children to write about barriers they have faced or are still facing in their lives and how they used the values exemplified by Jackie Robinson to deal with those barriers. In 2012, Peter Hanhan, a 9th grade student from Bloomingdale High School in Valrico, Florida was chosen as one of ten finalists from thousands of essays nationwide. Peter was recognized prior to a Rays game and was accompanied by Jackie Robinson's daughter, Sharon Robinson.
Through the Commissioner's Community Initiative in 2012, the Rays donated over 20,000 tickets to children in the community who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the joy of attending a Major League Baseball game.
Even though the team was away on Mother's Day, the following week the Rays recognized breast cancer survivors in Tampa Bay. The team partnered with Susan G. Komen to donate tickets to survivors in the area as well as to recognize one strong mother who is a breast cancer survivor prior to the game.
Each year the Rays partner with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to raise awareness for prostate cancer as well as promote the importance of males visiting their doctors and asking the right questions. Prior to the Rays game on Father's Day, one of the area's top fundraisers for the Prostate Cancer Foundation threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
For the first time, the Rays partnered with Fresh for Florida Kids for the PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) event which encourages kids to eat healthy and stay active. The PLAY Campaign educates America's young people about the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle, as well as important decision making regarding performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). In July 2012, Rays head trainer, Ron Porterfield, along with the entire training staff and Rays pitcher Matt Moore taught kids exercises to do and gave them tips on how to stay healthy and active.
BLUE Crew Tickets is a ticket program through Major League Baseball umpires' UMPS CARE Charities. The program offers memorable baseball experiences for children awaiting adoption and kids in youth mentoring programs. The BLUE Crew Tickets experience at Tropicana Field includes complimentary game tickets, an on-field meet-and-greet with photo opportunities, a game ball, and Rays memorabilia.
The RBI program is a youth outreach initiative designed by Major League Baseball to provide underprivileged boys and girls the opportunity to learn and enjoy the games of baseball and softball throughout the Tampa Bay region. The program is designed to grow interest and participation in the sport, and encourage kids to stay in school, foster academic achievement and community responsibility, encourage inclusion of minorities in the sport, develop confidence and self-esteem, teach the value of teamwork and help build better futures.
The Rays Baseball Foundation proudly supports teams in Hillsborough with the support of the Common Ground Christian Church RBI affiliate.