Round The Bases With Hostess Baseballs This Season
Hostess is celebrating America’s national pastime and inviting consumers to play an instant win game for a chance to score a VIP weekend in the Big Apple.
Hostess is getting into the swing of baseball season with the release of its limited-edition Baseball CupCakes and by offering fans a chance to win a VIP weekend for four in New York City complete with gift cards for tickets to see their favorite team play, airfare, hotel accommodations, limo transportation and $2,000 in spending cash.
Plus, Hostess fans can enter for a chance to win daily prizes – a $50 MLB.com gift card towards the purchase of their favorite team’s gear.
From April 30th through June 2nd specially marked packages of Hostess Baseballs – delicious frosted yellow cake with creamy filling and white icing with red icing “stitching” – as well as multipacks of Hostess Twinkies and Hostess Chocolate CupCakes, will be decked out in baseball packaging. Read more
Calvin Johnson, Jr. as the Fan-Voted Madden NFL 13 Cover Athlete
Electronic Arts and ESPN announced that Calvin Johnson, Jr., wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, was selected by millions of fans across the country to grace the cover of Madden NFL 13, which will hit store shelves August 28. Johnson, a No. 6 seed, defeated fellow NFL Pro Bowler Cam Newton, a No.1 seed, in a thrilling matchup culminating in a live unveiling on ESPN’s SportsNationand a cover photo shoot for the winner in New York City’s Times Square. This year’s vote campaign surpassed last year’s totals by 54% (19.6 million vs. 12.7 million), ending with Johnson triumphing over Newton by a final margin of 52% to 48%.
Nearly 20 million votes were cast during the seven week campaign (March 7 to April 25) through SportsNation online and via the mobile web, marking a new engagement record for an ESPN poll. Supported by integrations across multiple ESPN platforms, including TV, radio, online, mobile, social media, ESPN Deportes and more, fans rallied and supported Johnson as he beat teammate Matt Stafford in the newly introduced play-in round. He carried his strong momentum through the bracket of 32 all the way to victory beating No. 11 seed Dwayne Bowe, No. 3 seed Arian Foster, No. 2 seed Rob Gronkowski and No. 1 seed Aaron Rodgers in the final four before triumphing over Newton in the finale. Read more
Polar Introduces Limited Edition RCX5 Tour de France Training Computer
Polar introduced the limited edition Polar RCX5 Tour de France, the official Tour de France training computer. With a slim design and striking yellow color, the RCX5 Tour de France helps users train like professionals by improving their fitness through highly effective training guidance.
The Polar RCX5 Tour de France features Smart Coaching, which shows users how to plan, train and analyze each of their sessions in detail. Users can personalize endurance training programs for cycling and running at polarpersonaltrainer.com, get sport-specific training data, have different settings for bikes with Sport Profiles and cross the finish line in the desired time with its Race Pace feature.
“The Tour de France is the toughest cycling competition in the world and that’s why the RCX5 is the official Tour de France training computer this year,” said Joona Laukka, Cycling, Running & Multisport Segment Manager for Polar Electro Oy. “It’s a dream product for any serious rider, as you can use it on and off your bike with the Smart Coaching features – thus making it more than just GPS. What’s even better is that the RCX5 is always ready for use without any need for re-charging, with a user replaceable battery that provides 8-11 months of life.” Read more
FC Barcelona vs. Chelsea FC injury news
Barcelona will look to deny Chelsea a Champions League final place once more and take another step towards consecutive UEFA Champions League titles when their semi-final concludes at the Camp Nou, although they face a 1-0 first-leg deficit after Didier Drogba’s goal in first-half added time.
Barcelona are unbeaten in 15 European home fixtures dating back to October 2009, with 13 wins and two draws. They have scored 18 goals in five home games this season. Barcelona’s record at home to English clubs is W15 D10 L2.
Chelsea’s record away to Liga opposition is W3 D5 L5. They drew 1-1 at Valencia CF in this term’s group stage.
Barcelona’s overall record against English clubs is W24 D18 L17. Their record against them in two-legged ties in UEFA competition is W10 L9. Read more
Chevrolet Kicks Off 2012 ‘Diamonds & Dreams’
Chevrolet kicked off its 2012 “Diamonds & Dreams” program, encouraging participants across the country to visit www.chevybaseball.com and enter to win a refurbished baseball field for their community or one they feel is deserving.
One winner will be chosen each week for up to 12 weeks through July 22 and be eligible to win the Grand Prize: an all-new, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO.
“Every young person wants and deserves a ‘dream’ baseball diamond, and we offer them a chance to get one,” said Phil Caruso, Chevrolet national promotions manager. “From the back yards to the big leagues, Chevrolet is committed to community and youth baseball and giving back to where our customers live, work and play.”
In its third year, “Diamonds & Dreams” has awarded more than 25 youth field makeovers across the country.
Renovations of the 12 field makeovers will be administered through Ripken Design, a division of Ripken Baseball, owned and operated by National Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. and 12-year Major League Baseball veteran Bill Ripken. Read more
Tennis Pro, Andy Murray, Practices At Boca Grove
Andy Murray, 24 year old professional tennis player currently ranked fourth in the world, paid a visit to Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club on Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6.
He was accompanied by coach Ivan Lendl, former world no. 1 professional tennis player and eight-time Grand Slam winner. The two tennis professionals held a few practice sessions on Boca Grove’s red clay stadium court and worked out in the Club’s fitness center. Ivan Lendl, a golf enthusiast, also played golf on Boca Grove’s newly renovated Jim Fazio championship course.
Murray, from Dunblane, Scottland, achieved a top-10 ranking by the Association of Tennis Professionals for the first time on April 16, 2007. He has been runner-up in three Grand Slam finals: the 2008 US Open, the 2010 Australian Open and the 2011 Australian Open. In 2011, Murray became the seventh player in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in one year. Read more
Baylor University’s Brittney Griner Receives Honda Sports Award For Basketball
Only the second woman to dunk in NCAA tournament play, Brittney Griner has won the Honda Sports Award for basketball, culminating an historic season in which she led her Baylor University team to a 40-0 record and the national championship.
Her selection by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Program recognizes Griner as the country’s top female athlete in her sport.
The three-time All-American was named AP Player of the Year for 2012 and the most outstanding player of the Final Four, where she executed a one-handed dunk against the Florida Gators.
The 6-foot-8 center from Houston, Texas, averaged 23.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and a national high 5.2 blocks per game this season, setting a Big 12 women’s scoring record. At the end of three seasons, the junior also became the first women’s collegiate player to score more than 2,000 points and block more than 500 shots and needs just 65 blocks to become the all-time block shot leader. In Baylor’s 80-61 NCAA championship victory over the Lady Irish of Notre Dame, Griner had 26 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. Read more