Boeing teams up with Major League Baseball and Seattle Mariners for Season Opener in Japan

Boeing (NYSE: BA) will be a major sponsor of Major League Baseball and the Seattle Mariners for this year's season opening series in Tokyo, Japan. Gloops Japan Opening Series 2012 features the Mariners and the Oakland Athletics in a two-game series
March 28 and 29.

"The opportunity to spotlight our relationship with the Seattle Mariners in Japan, a place where Boeing has had a strong presence for more than five decades, gives us a great deal of pride," said Mary Foerster, Vice-President of Communications and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The Mariners have been valued community partners since the club was founded, and the Japan series expands our shared tradition of investing to make our communities stronger and more vibrant."

In the days leading up to the opening series, Boeing will partner with Major League Baseball and the Mariners to host a children's baseball clinic in Ishinomaki, one of the cities most impacted by last year's earthquake and tsunami. About 100 children are expected to participate in the event. The players will later share a meal with the community featuring tonjiru, a traditional Japanese stew.

"This is one small way we can work with the Mariners to give something back to the people of Japan," said Mike Denton, President of Boeing Japan. "We hope it puts smiles on the faces of children and parents who've faced so much tragedy."

In the aftermath of last year's earthquake, Boeing employees donated $1.3-million and the company pledged $1-million more toward the recovery efforts.

During Gloops Japan Opening Series 2012, the Mariners will wear a Boeing jersey patch on their sleeves. Boeing's logo is well-known by Japanese baseball fans since it is prominently featured on the right-field wall of Safeco Field, directly behind Ichiro Suzuki. The Mariners will also play exhibition games with the Yomiuri Giants and the Hanshin Tigers leading up to the series with Oakland.

"Boeing is one of the great companies of the Northwest and they are one of the best supporters the Mariners have ever had. This is a first for us to wear a sponsor logo on our uniforms and there is no one we would rather have on our jerseys than Boeing," said Bob Aylward, Mariners Executive Vice-President Business Operations.

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