(1888PressRelease)
August 21, 2009 - On Friday, August 21, in celebration of the Little League World Series (LLWS) SUBWAY® Restaurants will officially launch an online charity auction that directly correlates to its first annual Baseball Design Across America Tour, a one of a kind program designed to bring awareness to the sport of baseball through high profile players, celebrities, and fans.
The national tour, which launched earlier this year in Los Angeles, CA, made stops in several U.S. cities throughout the baseball season, featuring 40 baseballs designed by Little Leaguers and autographed by celebrities. These uniquely designed baseballs will be made available to the public via online auction throughout the last 10 days of the LLWS in Williamsport, PA (August 21 - 31, 2009). The baseballs will also be on display on-site in Williamsport at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.
Fans can log onto www.eBay.com, input key words "Baseball Design Across America" in the search window and find a host of signed baseballs from various sports and entertainment personalities including: World Series Champion Ryan Howard, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps, four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, former MLB players Dave Winfield and Bucky Dent, current MLB players Albert Pujols, Juan Pierre, and Evan Longoria, cast of HBO's "Entourage," "Heroes'" Milo Ventimiglia, actors Zac Efron, Drew Barrymore, Billy Crystal, NASCAR's Carl Edwards, top NBA Draft pick/LA Clippers' Blake Griffin, TV personalities Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian, Larry King, and many more.
"We know that SUBWAY is where winners eat, and all the kids and families participating in Little League Baseball are winners," said Tony Pace, chief marketing officer, SUBWAY Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust. "The Baseball Design Across America program and online auction have given us new ways to reach our consumers while helping to raise money for Little League Baseball."
"SUBWAY is an important partner in helping us to bring the benefits of Little League to families in the U.S. and around the world," said Stephen D. Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League International. "In addition to the exposure Baseball Design Across America has provided for Little League throughout the season, the online auction will help drive even more attention to the jewel in our crown - the Little League World Series."
SUBWAY Restaurants have proudly sponsored Little League Baseball since 2005 as a way to reach and encourage Little Leaguers and their families to live active lifestyles and eat healthily.
About SUBWAY® Restaurants
The SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 30,000 locations in 88 countries. Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, and with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami, and Singapore, the SUBWAY® chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. The SUBWAY® brand was ranked the number one global franchise opportunity in Entrepreneur magazine's 2008 "Annual Franchise 500" listing.
For more information about the SUBWAY® chain, visit www.subway.com and www.subwayfreshbuzz.com. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor's Associates Inc.
About Little League Baseball & Softball
Little League Baseball and Softball is the world's largest and most respected youth sports organization. With players in every U.S. state and more than 70 other countries, the program is led by more than 1 million adult volunteers. It serves children ages 5 through 18, including physically and mentally disabled children (Challenger Division) and children in urban areas (Little League Urban Initiative).
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