Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association are joining First Lady Michelle Obama in her “Let's Move!” effort to prevent childhood obesity. Obama today introduced a new public service campaign featuring players from 30 MLB teams to encourage families to make healthy nutritional and physical activity choices.
The PSAs were created in partnership with MLB, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Ad Council. New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson is the program's national spokesman.
The PSAs will roll out through the remainder of baseball season in ballparks around the U.S. and in Toronto. In addition to donated time on local outlets, the campaign will also run on MLB Network, MLB.com and YouTube.
“Major League Baseball is pleased to support this vitally important campaign for the young people in our country,” said MLB Commissioner Allan H. “Bud” Selig in announcing the effort. “The health and welfare of the country's youth is a top priority for Major League Baseball. I applaud the first lady for her leadership in this effort and continue to pledge our dedication towards fighting childhood obesity.”
The campaign was unveiled at Baltimore's Oriole Park at Camden Yards at the opening of a baseball skills clinic conducted by members of the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays for a group of young people participating in local Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities and Boys & Girls Clubs of America programs.
“Let's Move!” debuted in February 2010 in partnership with the USDA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the President's Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and other members of the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity.
