OKLAHOMA REDHAWKS AND TULSA DRILLERS JOIN OTHER MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS BY PITCHING IN TO PREPARE FANS FOR EMERGENCIES

05/09/2006

For the third consecutive year, Minor League Baseball is partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?s Ready Campaign to educate and empower Americans to prepare for natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.  More than 35 teams, including the Oklahoma RedHawks and the Tulsa Drillers, are stepping up to the plate during the 2006 season to help encourage fans to prepare for emergencies.            

?Enjoying a local ballgame is an American tradition that attracted more than 41 million spectators last season,? said Homeland Security?s Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman.  ?We appreciate Minor League Baseball?s continued support of the Ready Campaign.  Through their assistance, and that of the Boy Scouts of America, we will reach baseball fans throughout the nation with important preparedness messages.?

Teams across the country will hold Ready nights, during the 2006 season, where local Boy Scouts, Citizen Corps volunteers and other community members will distribute emergency preparedness brochures to fans.  The brochures and other materials available at www.ready.gov provide valuable information to help individuals prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.  Teams will also feature the Ready public service announcements on their scoreboards and in game programs.

?Like baseball, preparing for emergencies takes planning and practice,? said Mike Moore, President and CEO of Minor League Baseball.  ?Our organization is proud to be part of the Homeland Security and Boy Scouts efforts to educate Americans on how to prepare their families in case of an emergency through the Ready Campaign.?

Boy Scout troops across the nation are taking part in this effort for the third straight year.  By participating in the preparedness initiative, Scouts are able to earn the Good Turn for America Award, which fosters joint community service projects between the Boy Scouts and organizations like Homeland Security.  More information about the Boy Scouts of America and these awards can be found at www.scouting.org.  

?Each year, Boy Scouts across the country take a Scout Oath in which they pledge to ?help other people at all times,?? said Roy L. Williams, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America.  ?Our relationship with Homeland Security is a natural fit for our troops. One of the most important ways they can help our communities is to provide their neighbors with the resources they need to prepare for emergencies.?

###