• by Karl Greenberg , March 28, 2011

  Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) are jointly contributing $500,000 toward earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan to UNICEF and will be encouraging baseball fans to support the effort during opening week and dates following. 

The organizations will also run in-stadium fund raising drives to get fans involved. The distribution of MLB/MLBPA funds will be directed by the Japan Committee for UNICEF, which has a network of relationships with private citizens, local NGOs, volunteers, schools and the business community.

The donations by MLB and the MLBPA involves the league, all 30 clubs, players, MLB Network and MLB.com.  MLB Clubs will observe a moment of silence on Opening Day and MLB Network and MLB.com will work with MLB and the MLBPA to encourage baseball fans to support the people of Japan.