Safeco Donating Baseball Scoreboards For Agents

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 local parks and youth baseball fields across the nation, will continue next year.

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

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

Independent agents interested in nominating a ball field should submit their applications by Nov. 21 and nomination forms and details 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 be announced in early January, leaving time to install a new scoreboard for the spring baseball/softball season.

Safeco said its PlayBall program "encourages kids' participation in baseball and softball as a place for families to gather, foster a sense of community and offer children a fun and healthy pastime."

"In two years, the PlayBall Program has generated so much excitement and enthusiasm among agents, community leaders, and the local media that Safeco is extending the program into 2004," said Mike McGavick, Safeco president and chief executive officer.

The PlayBall program, Safeco said, is a component of Safeco's giving program--Strengthening America's Neighborhoods--which includes company-sponsored initiatives, volunteer activities and grants to non profit organizations that support communities and build a sense of neighborliness.

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

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

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