Batter Up! Avocados From Mexico's Avocado League Returns for a Second Season

FALLSTON, Md., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Play Ball!  The Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) announced that the Avocado League – a league that celebrates women and their love for avocados and baseball – returns to the field today for its second season.  An All-Star roster of women from around the country have been chosen to create a game day recipe featuring avocados that best embodies the spirit, passion and flavor of their hometown to compete in an online recipe contest. The recipe that hits it out of the park with the most online votes will be named the BIG HIT and earns the title of Avocado League MVP.  Fans can vote for their favorite Avocado League BIG HIT recipe today through October 28 on www.TheAmazingAvocado.com/bighit .

Jennie Finch, world champion professional softball player, returns for her second year as the Avocado League Commissioner to crown the Avocado League MVP.  As a mother and professional athlete, Jennie knows the importance of eating right to stay at the top of your game.

Avocados from Mexico offer a great addition to everyday meals like sandwiches, salads, soups and even a baseball favorite – hotdogs.  Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins and minerals and only 50 calories per 1 oz (3 slices) serving. Plus, avocados have the "good" mono- and polyunsaturated fats.  

Votes will be counted from September 28 until October 28; with the winner announced on October 29. The player with the BIG HIT – the recipe with the most online votes – will be hailed as the Avocado League champion and MVP and be awarded the Grand Slam prize package and receive $5,000 and a year's supply of avocados. Second and third place winners will also receive a year's supply of avocados and a $2,500 and $1,500, respectively, cash prize.

During the voting period, consumers can also get into the game by submitting their own avocado recipe.  One "wild card" recipe will be selected each week to be featured on the BIG HIT site and the winning chef will receive a $100 gift card!  

The Big Hit brings avocado enjoyment with the excitement of the Major League Baseball playoff season. MHAIA and the Hass Avocado Board are partnering with Turner Broadcasting System ® for their Major League Baseball ® postseason coverage on TBS. A 30-second spot featuring avocados and a promotional sweepstakes will begin airing the second week in October and will run during the American League ® and National League ® Division Series ® as well as the American League Championship Series ® games. The 30-second spot along with mentions on tbs.com and other Turner network Web sites will drive consumers to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win an exciting prize.

For delicious recipe ideas, to vote for your favorite Avocado League player, and for your own chance to win a "wild card" spot, visit www.TheAmazingAvocado.com/bighit. Let's Play Ball!

Avocado League Starting Line-Up

Jennie Finch, Avocado League Commissioner

Piera Jolly, Atlanta

Jill Notkin, Boston

Dianna Ranere, Baltimore  

Kim Hansen, Charlotte

Cherise Kachelmuss, Chicago

Maria Gagliano, New York

Staci Albright, Philadelphia

Laura Franklin, Washington, DC

About MHAIA

The Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) is dedicated to supplying consistent high quality avocados throughout the year. Avocados from Mexico are available year round and can be found in your local grocery store in the produce aisle. Mexico's rich volcanic soil, abundant sunshine and timely rainfall provide the perfect climate for producing fine avocados. Avocado enthusiasts can now become a fan of Avocados from Mexico on Facebook (www.facebook.com/theamazingavocado) and can follow on Twitter (www.twitter.com/amazingavocado). For more information, visit www.theamazingavocado.com.

SOURCE Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association