Baseball and Chevrolet: Two American Classics Building Communities Together

DETROIT, April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- For 2010 Chevrolet is in the game with a number of partnerships and promotions reaching communities across the United States and continuing a strong history of involvement in baseball.

"Nothing is as American as baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet," said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president Chevrolet marketing. "We are proud to continue the tradition as the 'Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball®.' With our dealers we also hope to help prepare some future stars for the Majors with our support of youth baseball."

Chevrolet has expanded its support of youth baseball players in communities across the country through the Chevy Youth Baseball program.  Since its beginning in Atlanta in 2006, Chevy Youth Baseball has benefitted more than one million youth baseball players and their families.

Participating youth baseball leagues receive equipment and monetary donations, unique Major League Baseball experiences including tickets to games and invitations to exclusive instructional clinics, as well as fundraising opportunities compliments of Chevy and its dealers.

And this year, Chevrolet is partnering with Major League Baseball® , MLB Advanced Media  and The Scotts Company (the Official Lawn Care Company of MLB) to refurbish five youth baseball fields in the U.S. through 'Building Diamonds and Dreams.' At www.chevybaseball.com fans of their local youth baseball team can enter their ZIP code for a chance to win the field makeover.  An ongoing tally of the most active ZIP codes will be shown on the web site.  Five winners will be drawn from the ZIP codes submitted. Nominating a ZIP code numerous times could increase the chance of being selected.

Each consumer who nominates a ZIP code on-line gives kids a chance to win a ballpark makeover, and also will be entered for a chance to win their choice of a new Chevy Malibu, Traverse, Equinox or Silverado.

The program will run from MLB Opening Day (April 5) and continue through the MLB All-Star Game®, ending July 16, 2010.

"Baseball brings people from all walks of life together to build strong communities, and my dealership and Chevrolet dealerships across the country are here to help," said Mark Frost of Jim Ellis Chevrolet. "Not everybody makes it to the Majors. We have many employees who played youth baseball who are happy to recapture a bit of those days every time we help put a bat in a child's hand."

In addition to the youth baseball activities, Chevrolet will return as a sponsor of the 2010 MLB All-Star Game® in Anaheim, Calif. on Tuesday, July 13, and will provide vehicles for the MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Show presented by Chevy on MLB Network, a free parade of All-Stars through the streets of Anaheim.

For the fourth year in a row, Chevrolet will also sponsor the Roberto Clemente Award, which each year recognizes one Major League Baseball® player who combines a dedication to giving back to the community with outstanding skills on the baseball field.

"For as long as Chevrolet has been a part of the Major League Baseball® family, it has recognized the importance of giving back to the community, and this new platform takes that commitment to a new level," said John Brody, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Marketing, Major League Baseball®.  "Through the 'Building Diamonds and Dreams' program, Chevrolet and Scotts will revitalize baseball fields across the country, ensuring generations of young people have the best opportunity to follow their dreams."

For more information about the "Building Diamonds and Dreams" program and to nominate your community, please visit www.chevybaseball.com.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is one of America's best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from "gas-friendly to gas-free," Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers three hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and strives to provide the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

SOURCE General Motors