ST. LOUIS, MO, March 25, 2016 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have launched a youth-focused video engagement initiative, #PlayBallLikeACardinal, to highlight kids' love of the game of baseball and encourage them to play the game like their favorite Cardinals players.
Through #PlayBallLikeACardinal, the St. Louis Cardinals are seeking out young people who have a passion for the Redbirds and are incorporating that passion into how they play the game—whether it is tee-ball, baseball, softball, wiffleball, stick-ball, tape-ball or any other version of the great American Pastime.
“The #PlayBallLikeACardinal initiative gives our young fans the opportunity to display their love for their favorite Cardinals player’s style of play,” said Bill DeWitt III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals. “It also gives fans, and our organization, a creative and unique way to showcase their child’s passion for the Cardinals.”
Fans are asked to post short video clips of their children imitating their favorite Cardinals players to their preferred social media platform (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) using the hashtag, #PlayBallLikeACardinal, or share a link to a video they have posted to a public video platform like YouTube directly with the Cardinals at www.cardinals.com/playball . The Cardinals intend to share videos of children playing ball like Cardinals on the team’s television broadcasts such as Cardinals Insider, within Busch Stadium on the new high definition scoreboard or online via cardinals.com, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
#PlayBallLikeACardinal is inspired by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred's directive to encourage MLB teams to work to get more kids to play baseball and a variety of related games.
"Major League Baseball's foremost goals revolve around allowing children to experience the fun of our game and instilling in them a love for our National Pastime,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. “I am pleased that the #PlayBallLikeACardinal video initiative supports the objectives of MLB's Play Ball program and will incorporate technology in a fun, seamless fashion. Knowing the passion and loyalty of Cardinal fans, I look forward to the program's success in developing even stronger bonds between kids and their favorite players."
#PlayBallLikeACardinal is one of several #CardsFanFlix fan engagement initiatives the St. Louis Cardinals have undertaken to encourage fans to create videos that celebrate the team. Last season, hundreds of fans collectively participated in the various #CardsFanFlix video engagement promotions which included the Ultimate Fan Video Contest, Take Me Out to the Ballgame Music Video contest, 2015 All-Star Video the Vote promotion, Ultimate Fan Broadcaster Contest, Greatest Postseason Moments Contest, #12inStL Fan Video Rally, and the team's season-long celebration of Red Schoendienst's incredible 70+ years in major league baseball, #LoveRed2. The Cardinals are currently sponsoring the 2nd Annual Cardinals Ultimate Fan Contest (www.cardinals.com/ultimatefan) and the first annual High School Video Challenge (www.cardinals.com/studentvideochallenge ) to challenge High School students to develop a video in collaboration with the Cardinals that promotes the team and their high school, while also integrating elements of the S.T.E.A.M. curriculum.
Through the #CardsFanFlix fan engagement initiative, the St. Louis Cardinals hope to tap into the increasing trend of user-generated video content made possible by advances with mobile technology and social media. Fans can learn more about #CardsFanFlix and view fan created videos at www.cardinals.com/fanflix . Fans can join the conversation with #CardsFanFlix and #PlayBallLikeACardinal.
For more information about #PlayBallLikeACardinal, visit www.cardinals.com/playball
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About The Play Ball Program
The Play Ball program is a collaborative initiative between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball designed to encourage widespread participation in all forms of baseball activities among all age groups, especially youth. The new program highlights the many ways baseball can be played, including outside of the traditionally-organized baseball leagues and tournaments. For more information on the Play Ball program, visit PlayBall.org The site serves as the initiative's online home and is complete with coaching tips and parent resources.