Postal Service Pinch Hits at Palomino World Series

Celebrates 100th Anniversary Of Baseball’s Unofficial Anthem

SAN JOSE, CA — The San Jose Post Office will be part of a “5th Inning Stretch” at the San Jose Police Athletic League (PAL) and PONY Baseball League 2008 Palomino World Series at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 8, at San Jose Municipal Stadium.

San Jose Postmaster Sam Vasquez will step to the plate during the 5th inning stretch and introduce baseball fans to the newest postage stamp that celebrates the national pastime’s 100th anniversary of its unofficial anthem, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” Vasquez will unveil the stamp and touch on another important topic – helping kids who cannot afford their own baseball equipment.

“Baseball is our national pastime,” said Vasquez. “But so is giving. Today, we can make it the luckiest day in the life of young baseball fans by donating slightly used or new baseball equipment so they can enjoy the love of the game.”
The Postal Service is proud to announce its partnership with the nonprofit organization “Pitch in for Baseball.” Their goal is to collect donated baseball gear from across America … and to distribute that gear to children in need all across our country. Pitch In For Baseball accepts new or gently used youth gloves, cleats, aluminum bats, catcher’s gear, instructional books, videos and aids such as batting tees.

Priority Mail boxes ideally suited for shipping most equipment are available free of charge at all local Post Offices; or they can be ordered online at www.usps.com/supplies. The boxes are ideal for fans to take home and pack donated equipment, and there’s no need to make an extra trip to the Post Office to drop them off. Just log on to www.usps.com/clicknship and use Click-N-Ship to purchase and print postage-paid shipping labels from the home “dug out.” A free Carrier Pickup can be scheduled for the next day when the carrier brings the regular mail.

Mail items to:
Pitch In For Baseball
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue
Fort Washington PA 19034

Baseball fans love souvenirs and memorabilia. To commemorate the “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” stamp ceremony, stamps and souvenir envelopes with a special postmark will be available at the Postal Service Booth during the game.

The Palomino World Series is an international competition that rotates to different host cities and brings the top PONY baseball teams with players 17-19 years old to compete in a four-day tournament. Teams come from all over the world including the U.S., Chinese Taipei, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The 2007 Champions from Levittown (Toa Baja), Puerto Rico are expected to return to defend their title.

Palomino baseball focuses on the best and most competitive baseball players that are 17, 18 or 19 years old and is considered a training ground for future MLB players. More than 800 Major League Baseball players are graduates of PONY Baseball. Former PONY players have included Bobby and Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr., Ryan Howard, Tony Gwynn, Jeff Kent, Mark McGwire, Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Barry Zito, Gary Sheffield, and J.T. Snow.

For more detailed information on the program, please visit www.usps.com/baseball.

For ticket or event information call San Jose PAL offices at 408-272-9725 or visit www.PalominoWorldSeries.com.

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.