AstroTurf(R) and Ripken Baseball Announce New Partnership

DALTON, Ga., April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The game of baseball just got better with the new partnership of Ripken Baseball, Inc. and AstroTurf®, the iconic synthetic turf brand. Ripken Baseball and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation are known respectively for growing the game and helping the lives of disadvantaged youth. Now AstroTurf will provide state-of-the-art playing surfaces for their baseball fields that enhance player performance and safety.

"We are very excited to form a partnership with a wonderful brand like AstroTurf," said Ripken Baseball CEO and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.  "The idea of working with AstroTurf on Ripken Design projects and with our foundation is very exciting.  Ripken Baseball's mission is to grow the game at the grassroots level and with a partner like AstroTurf we will be able to achieve that much more effectively."

AstroTurf® is the official turf for Major League Baseball. The company's latest infilled system was designed specifically to meet the rigorous demands and performance characteristics required by Major League Baseball Properties. Debuting two weeks ago during the Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day, the AstroTurf® GameDay™ 3D System at the Rogers Centre provides the facility with the highest quality sports surface as well as the ability to store the turf while the floor space is used for other events.

"Ripken Baseball has elevated the game of baseball worldwide," said Bryan Peeples, AstroTurf President. "We are thrilled to use AstroTurf's industry leading technology and expertise to provide innovative baseball fields for the communities they serve. Our goal is to create even more opportunities for players to practice, enjoy the game and develop skills on the safest surface possible."

About Ripken Baseball, Inc.

Ripken Baseball is a sales and marketing company based in Baltimore, Md. that represents all business and philanthropic efforts of Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripken. Established in 2001, the mission of Ripken Baseball is to grow the game of baseball at the grassroots level worldwide 'The Ripken Way.'  For more, visit www.RipkenBaseball.com.

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation uses baseball and softball themed programs to help build character and teach critical life lessons to disadvantaged youth residing in America's most distressed communities.  Founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr., the Foundation works to create programs that positively impact disadvantaged youth through active community partnerships with America's most successful youth service organizations. The Ripken Foundation uses the baseball and softball field to help teach life's critical lessons such as perseverance, loyalty, nutrition, hard work, and leadership to young people residing in disadvantaged communities. For more visit www.RipkenFoundation.org

About AstroTurf®

For many athletes and sport enthusiasts, the iconic AstroTurf® brand has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry's only vertically integrated manufacturing system. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf®-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority and safety. Recent innovations from AstroTurf include GameDay Grass™ 3D with RootZone®, a polyethylene/nylon hybrid system which most closely replicates natural grass; TurfAide™, a non-chemical antimicrobial shield protecting against MRSA and other infectious bacteria; and astroflect™ Technology featuring Bonar Coolgrass® which significantly reduces turf surface temperatures. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.

SOURCE AstroTurf