Major League Baseball, PEOPLE and the Texas Rangers announced Ben Sater as the Rangers’ “All-Star” of the “All-Stars Among Us” campaign, which recognized individuals who are serving their communities in extraordinary ways. Out of the three “All-Star” finalists representing the Rangers, Ben Sater from Plano, Texas was chosen by fans across the nation for his community service through KidSwing, a benefit golf tournament for children. Sater was honored during the pre-game ceremony at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14 on FOX, at which President Barack Obama threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The “All-Stars Among Us” program is central to the 2009 MLB All-Star Summer events dedicated to charitable initiatives and recognition of the important role of community service. Nearly three quarters of a million votes were cast at PeopleAllStars.com by fans across the nation to select the
30 “All-Stars Among Us” winners (one per MLB Club) out of the pool of 90 finalists who are serving as leaders within their communities.
Ben Sater was a visionary by the age of 10, when he applied that talent to create KidSwing, a benefit golf tournament for children. The tournament, held annually in Plano, has raised $780,000 over the last seven years to benefit Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, where Ben was once a patient. The Rangers planned to honor Ben in a pre-game ceremony later in this homestand.
The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game was televised nationally by FOX Sports, with pre-game ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised in more than 200 countries and territories by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio provided exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com provided extensive online coverage.
Major League Baseball dedicated its 2009 All-Star Game and surrounding events to raising funds and awareness for charitable initiatives and celebrating the importance of community service. The charity and community service initiatives, which are themed “Going Beyond,” will be the most extensive in Major League Baseball All-Star history. In addition, Major League Baseball is supporting President Obama’s call for community service through “United We Serve,” a program that encourages Americans to engage in sustained and meaningful community service. President Obama is encouraging all Americans to visit www.serve.gov to find service opportunities in their area.
“The All-Stars Among Us winners are making a significant impact in their communities with a selfless dedication to very important causes,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “Major League Baseball is proud to honor this impressive group of people whose achievements demonstrate the renewed sense of community service that will make our nation an example for the world.”
“Celebrating the ‘Heroes Among Us’ has been an important part of PEOPLE editorial throughout its 35-year history,” said PEOPLE Managing Editor Larry Hackett. “43 million weekly readers look to PEOPLE for these stories of everyday individuals who dedicate their lives to making a difference.” Time Inc Style & Entertainment Group President Paul Caine adds: “We are thrilled to partner with MLB to shine a spotlight on the inspiring work of these “All-Stars Among Us”, and to salute these individuals in front of a nationwide audience.”
One winning “All-Star Among Us” will be featured in PEOPLE the week of the All-Star Game. For the last 35 years, PEOPLE has told stories of everyday ‘heroes’ whose acts of courage, commitment, strength and compassion are changing the lives of others. The “PEOPLE All-Stars Among Us” campaign extends the PEOPLE “Heroes Among Us” franchise.
ABOUT TSRHC
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. There is no charge to patient families for treatment at the hospital, and admission is open to Texas children from birth to 18 years of age. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please call (214) 559-5000 or (800) 421-1121 or visit www.tsrhc.org.
