MLB and MASTERCARD WORLDWIDE announce 2009 All-Star “HIT IT HERE” promotion will benefit stand up to cancer

$2 Million in Potential Donations to Cancer Charity if “Hit It Here” Sign is Struck During State Farm® Home Run Derby and MLB All-Star Game
Purchase, NY.- Major League Baseball and MasterCard Worldwide announced today that Stand Up To Cancer, for the first time, will be the recipient of donations in the “Hit It Here” in-stadium promotion during All-Star Week. The promotion is part of Major League Baseball’s commitment to dedicating 2009 All-Star Summer to raising funds and awareness for charitable initiatives and celebrating the importance of community service. The first home run to directly strike one of the MasterCard “Hit It Here” signs in Busch Stadium during the 2009 State Farm® Home Run Derby or the 2009 MLB All-Star Game will result in MasterCard donating $1 million to Stand Up To Cancer. If a sign is hit during both events, MasterCard will donate a total of $2 million. In previous years, the promotion was designed to award a lucky fan in attendance at the events.

There will be three pre-designated MasterCard “Hit It Here” signs at Busch Stadium. The first sign is approximately 20’ x 7’ and is placed vertically on the left field light post; the second sign is approximately 8’ x 33’ and is horizontally positioned in left center field; the third sign is approximately 4’ x 20’ and is horizontally placed in right field along the facade of the upper deck. The 2009 State Farm® Home Run Derby, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day, will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/7:00 p.m. (CDT) on Monday, July 13th. The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/7:00 p.m. (CDT). ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage.

“The importance of charitable initiatives and community service is more significant than ever, and we’re proud to say our business partners are joining us in our efforts to make MLB All-Star Summer all about giving back,” said John Brody, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Marketing, Major League Baseball. “MasterCard deserves a great deal of credit for aligning this in-stadium promotion with the MLB ‘Going Beyond’ message to benefit such a worthy cause as Stand Up To Cancer.”

“Stand Up To Cancer’s purpose of enabling research that will ultimately lead to a cure is a cause that ties together our employees, customers and cardholders,” said Rob Steeger, Vice President, US Sponsorships, MasterCard Worldwide. “MLB All-Star Week provides a powerful platform from which to build awareness for this important mission that connects us all.”

“Every single person can play a role in helping the scientists who are working 24/7 to end cancer. We’re profoundly grateful to MLB and MasterCard for their support, and for giving us a wonderful opportunity to drive that message home,” said Stand Up To Cancer Executive Director Diane Balma, who is also a cancer survivor. “Congratulations to all of the All-Stars; we hope they will aim for the signs!”

Major League Baseball has responded to United States of America President Barack Obama’s call for community service through “United We Serve,” a program which encourages all Americans to be part of building a new foundation for America by engaging in sustained and meaningful community service. President Obama is encouraging all Americans to visit www.serve.gov to find service opportunities in their area. Major League Baseball has dedicated the 2009 All-Star Summer events to raising funds and awareness for charitable initiatives while celebrating the importance of community service. The charity and community service initiatives, themed “Going Beyond,” will be the most extensive in Major League Baseball All-Star history. It complements the celebration of values and the traditions of baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals.

In the span of just a year, Stand Up To Cancer raised more than $100 million due in part to an historic hour-long program simultaneously broadcast on ABC, CBS and NBC, on September 5, 2008. In May 2009, SU2C announced its first funding of more than $73 million to five Dream Team collaborations, comprised of more than 38 principal investigators from over 20 leading institutions, with more than 330 individuals participating in total.