Safeco Donating Baseball Scoreboards For Agents

NU Online News Service, Oct. 14, 3:30 p.m.EDT?Safeco said its independent agent PlayBall program,that is donating $1.25 million in electronic scoreboards to localparks and youth baseball fields across the nation, will continuenext year.

In 2002 and 2003, the company said, it installed 60 scoreboardsand it has pledged an additional 20 signs in 2004.

The Seattle-based insurer said it is inviting independent agentsto nominate local parks or youth baseball fields in theircommunities that need new electronic scoreboards.

Independent agents interested in nominating a ball field shouldsubmit their applications by Nov. 21 and nomination forms anddetails can be obtained on the Safeco website at www.safecoplaza.com/playball or by calling 1-800-955-8735,Safeco said.

Winning agents and their communities, Safeco said, will beannounced in early January, leaving time to install a newscoreboard for the spring baseball/softball season.

Safeco said its PlayBall program "encourages kids' participationin baseball and softball as a place for families to gather, fostera sense of community and offer children a fun and healthypastime."

"In two years, the PlayBall Program has generated so muchexcitement and enthusiasm among agents, community leaders, and thelocal media that Safeco is extending the program into 2004," saidMike McGavick, Safeco president and chief executive officer.

The PlayBall program, Safeco said, is a component of Safeco'sgiving program--Strengthening America's Neighborhoods--whichincludes company-sponsored initiatives, volunteer activities andgrants to non profit organizations that support communities andbuild a sense of neighborliness.

Mr. McGavick said the PlayBall program was "a great way to honorour agents and the neighborhoods they care about."

The company said that one agent told Safeco that 500 people hadcome to the unveiling of a scoreboard at a park in Oakland, Calif.and that clients told him they were proud to have Safeco as aninsurer.

Safeco's involvement in the sport of baseball includes havingits name on the Seattle Mariner's Safeco Field.