COLUMBUS, Ga., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac announced today in a press conference at Petco Park, home of the major league Padres, that San Diego will be the site for the fourth annual Aflac All-American Baseball Classic, a showcase of the nation's best high school athletes. This year, Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, a 14-time all-star and two-time World Series Most Valuable Player will serve as the game's honorary chairman. The 2006 baseball classic will be played at San Diego State's Tony Gwynn Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 12, airing live on FSN at 3 p.m. (Eastern).
As part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, all game proceeds from the 2006 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic will benefit San Diego's Children's Hospital and Health Center.
"The Aflac All-American Classic has become cemented in the fabric of baseball culture across all levels of the game, and I'm proud to be associated with such an elite event," Jackson said. "The Aflac All-American brand stands for more than just excellence in youth baseball; it also represents an important bridge to the community through Aflac's dedication and commitment to pediatric cancer research and treatment. Together, Aflac and its event partners teach these outstanding young athletes how to be role models both on and off the field."
The game, an East versus West match-up between the country's top rising high school seniors, will include San Diego area standouts SS Nick Noonan from Francis Parker High School and OF Sequoyah Stonecipher from Mission Bay High School. Today's announcement is also the first stop of the 2006 Aflac National Selection Tour. The selection tour is a multi-city tour that travels to the hometowns of the Aflac All-Americans to announce their official selection to the team. Aflac will donate funds from the tour stops to Coaches Curing Kids' Cancer, an organization dedicated to cure of pediatric cancer.
"Nick Noonan has a chance of becoming a high draft pick next year," said Jerry Ford, Perfect Game USA president. "Sequoyah Stonecipher is an advanced outfielder with good all around skills."
Baseball America and Perfect Game are the official selection partners for the event and choose the players for their accomplishments both on and off the field, including involvement in the community.
"We are thrilled to have these two talented high school players as a part of the 2006 All-American West team," said Al Johnson, Aflac's second vice president, Advertising and Branding. "We are also honored to have Reggie Jackson serve as our honorary chairman. Through their participation, this event will continue to be a wonderful way to showcase America's top high school baseball talent while helping us in our efforts to support the fight against pediatric cancer."
Sports America, Inc., is a sports marketing and event management firm based in Rockville, Md., which created and currently produces the Aflac Classic. Sports America also produces the McDonald's All-American High School Basketball Game.
For more than 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United Statesand the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan. Aflac's insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. Aflac has been included in Fortune magazine's listing of America's Most Admired Companies for six consecutive years and Forbes magazine's Platinum 400 List of America's Best Big Companies for five consecutive years. In January 2006, Aflac was included in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Americafor the eighth consecutive year. Aflac was also included in Fortune magazine's list of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities in August 2005, and in September 2005, Aflac Japanwas named the Life Insurance Company of the Year at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards, sponsored by the Asia Insurance Review. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.
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