McDonald's, Detroit Tigers & Hispanice Heritage Baseball Museum Host Unique Baseball Experience

Aug. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- BRIGHTON, Mich. – July 26, 2012 – McDonald’s announced today that it is teaming up with the Detroit Tigers and the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum to offer local youngsters and fans a once-in-a-lifetime major league experience on Aug. 3 and 4.

The museum, known as the “MLB Hispanic Hall of Fame,” recognizes the outstanding achievements of Hispanic players, managers and coaches.  

The two-day program will include a baseball clinic on Friday, Aug. 3, with 100 local preregistered youth players who will have a chance to learn from the pros. On Saturday, Aug. 4, Detroit Tigers fans will enjoy special pre-game activities, a museum induction ceremony, along with an on-field experience as part of the Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians game at Comerica Park.

“McDonald’s is loving the opportunity to launch this new baseball youth program in conjunction with the Tigers and the HHBM, celebrating America’s favorite pastime,” said Jim Thrower, McDonald’s owner/operator. “We’re happy to bring this experience to life for our customers in a way that only McDonald’s can.”

A group of 100 children, 6 to 10 years old, will be pre-selected to join the Aug. 3 baseball clinic at Clark Park, where they will run through drills with Wayne State University baseball coaching staff. All participants will receive a McDonald’s jersey, cap and three tickets to the Tigers game against the Indians on the following night.

Twenty-one clinic participants also will be randomly selected to participate in an on-field experience on Aug. 4 that includes an opportunity to watch batting practice and an informal meet-and-greet with Tigers players.

On game day, McDonald’s will sponsor from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. the Pre-Game Fan Area at Columbia Plaza in front of Gate A at Comerica Park, where fans will enjoy fun activities such as face painting, DJ music, games, McDonald’s Real Fruit Smoothie samples and other surprises.

McDonald’s will present a plaque to Carlos Guillen in recognition of his induction into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum before the game. Guillen played seven of his 13 MLB seasons with the Detroit Tigers.  

McDonald’s also will present a check to the HHBM Hall of Fame to help preserve the legacies of Latino baseball players.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@MeEncanta) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

About Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Inc. was established in 1999 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing the contributions made to baseball by its Hispanic players. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum is committed to preserving the history and profound influence that Hispanic players have had on "America's Favorite Pastime." Our primary purpose is to provide a center where displays of Hispanic baseball history will educate visitors on the true meaning of diversity, as exemplified in sports. For more information please visit www.hispanicbaseballmuseum.com.

About Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 2000 to the present, the Tigers have played at Comerica Park.  The Tigers were the 2011 American League Central Division Champions.
www.detroit.tigers.mlb.com