Health Plus - Free Citywide Youth Baseball League Opens With Games Throughout The City

For Immediate Release

Free Citywide Youth Baseball League Opens With Games Throughout The City
Children Compete For Roberto Clemente Cup

Media Inquiries:Kathryn Soman (718) 491-7493
Customer Inquiries: Marketing Department (888) 809-8009

New York, NY - June 30, 2003 — The opening games for the 2003 Health Plus Citywide Youth Baseball League began Saturday throughout the city.

The games marked the beginning of a competitive season that will conclude with the championship game in which Roberto Clemente Jr. will present the winning team with the Roberto Clemente Cup.

Health Plus, the Police Athletic League, and the City of New York's Parks & Recreation Department have teamed up, presenting the 2003 Health Plus Citywide Youth Baseball League, a free program for boys and girls ages 5 to 12 and boys only ages 13-15. Over 1,400 young athletes are participating on 95 teams in 10 parks throughout the city. The free program runs through the end of August.

"Once again Health Plus has partnered with PAL and the Dept. of Recreation to use baseball to foster personal development, athletics, and health in our communities," says Health Plus League Organizer Luis Ramos. "We are pleased to be able to offer our city's children a free opportunity to be part of a team and to play in a top-notch league in beautiful parks instead of on the streets."

Health Plus Director of Marketing Ada Rodriguez lobs the ceremonial first pitch to mark the beginning of the 2003 Health Plus Citywide Youth Baseball League

A Sunset Park "Yankee" safely slides into home as two "Mini Mes" try to tag him in the 2003 Health Plus Citywide Youth Baseball League's opening game

KTU radio personality "Speedy" announces the start of the season as the league's players display their uniforms in the background

# # #

Health Plus, a not-for-profit, multi-cultural organization, is one of the fastest growing managed care organizations in New York City. It was established in 1984 with a commitment to provide coordinated quality health care and improving access to health care for uninsured and underserved families. In its annual review of managed care plans, the New York State Department of Health ranked Health Plus as the top plan for quality in its 2002 and 2003 "Consumer's Guide to Medicaid Managed Care in New York City." Health Plus is New York City's leading provider of Child Health Plus, a New York State Department of Health program that offers parents FREE or low-cost health insurance for children under the age of 19. "CRAIN'S New York Business" magazine ranked Health Plus fifth among the largest health maintenance organizations in the New York area.