Major League Baseball umpires to host sixth annual UMPS CARE Charities Golf Classic

Raven Golf Club South Mountain, January 20

UMPS CARE Charities, a non-profit organization established by Major League Baseball umpires to provide financial, in-kind and emotional support for America’s youth and families in need, will be holding its sixth annual charity Golf Classic at Raven Golf Club at South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday, January 20. Proceeds from the tournament will provide much needed funding for the three youth programs that UMPS CARE Charities puts on throughout the year.

The tournament format will be a four-person scramble, with each foursome being paired with a Major League umpire or former player.  Playing spots are $250 for an individual or $1,000 per foursome and includes lunch, gift bag, and post-event reception. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers, along with long drive and closest-to-the-pin contests. Tournament champions will receive official MLB Umpire Plate Coats.

Registration and warm-up begins at 7:30 a.m. with the shotgun start beginning at 8:30 a.m. To register online or for more information on additional sponsorship opportunities for the Golf Classic, visit  www.UmpsCare.com.

UMPS CARE Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established by Major League Baseball umpires that provides youth-based programs to help enrich the lives of at-risk youth and children coping with serious illness by providing memorable baseball experiences, supporting pediatric medical care, and raising awareness for foster care children waiting to be adopted. UMPS CARE Charities implements three youth programs throughout the year.

Through the BLUE Crew Tickets program, children awaiting adoption and at-risk children in mentoring programs receive VIP tickets to a baseball game and an opportunity to step on the field for a souvenir baseball and photo at one of the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.  Off the field, the BLUE for Kids Children’s Hospital Program brings a crew of MLB umpires to the bedside of children with life-threatening illnesses, where they bring a Build-A-Bear Workshop right to their hospital room.

Finally, the UMPS CARE Charities All-star Scholarship is open to children adopted from foster care to provide increased opportunities for advanced education. UMPS CARE Charities will award two All-Star Scholarships in 2011.

For more information, visit www.UmpsCare.com.