Major Leaguer baseball player Torii Hunter is determined to give more young urban kids the chance to discover the fun of the game he loves - and their own talent as baseball players. He has established the Torii Hunter Project to partner with the Little League Urban Initiative. His project goal is to help stop the disappearance of baseball diamonds from inner cities in the U.S. That vision and resolve, along with Hunter's involvement with groups like Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and in Players Trust programs, helped earn him the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award for 2007.

The coveted award reflects both fans' and fellow players' recognition of Hunter's accomplishments in the game of baseball and in making strides to address a serious need for urban youth. Selection for the Marvin Miller Award begins with players being nominated by their own teammates. Fans then narrow the award field to six finalists by voting online for one player from each of the six divisions. Then ballots are distributed to all Major League players to select the winner.

Hunter, formerly with the Minnesota Twins, was the finalist in the American League Central Division. He will be playing with the Los Angeles Angels in the 2008 season. Competing for the honor from other divisions in 2007 were:

• American League East: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
• American League West: Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles Angels
• National League East: Tom Glavine, New York Mets
• National League Central: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals, who
• received the 2006 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award
• National League West: Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres. (To get the full list of 2007 nominees, visit www.MLBPLAYERS.com.)

Polishing Diamonds in the Rough

The Torii Hunter Project aims to encourage more young people to play baseball by ensuring they have a place to play the game. As the number of African-American Major League baseball players has decreased, a concern is that the neglect of baseball fields in urban areas is giving fewer African-American children and teens the chance to play ball and develop their skills and love of the game. "We believe there is a direct correlation between the number of kids playing youth baseball and those who reach the Major Leagues," Hunter explains.

His initiative is also an inspiring example of how Major Leaguers support one another in their service activities. Hunter currently has fourteen "Pro Partners" who have made financial commitments to the mission of assisting inner-city baseball programs. (Visit www.toriihunter48.com to get the names of his Pro Partners and learn more about the program.)

Although Hunter is focusing his Torii Hunter Project on urban youth, his message to all kids is to play baseball for the experience and valuable lessons in competition and character. "If it were up to me," he explains, "I'd encourage everyone to play baseball regardless of race, ethnicity, height, weight, age, and even ability!"

Here's how the Action Teams work: Major League Baseball players committed to community service work with Volunteers of America to recruit and help train high school students who are dedicated volunteers and eager to motivate others.

These students become Action Team Captains, who spread the players' message about the importance of community service to teens in their area.

To date, more than 8,000 students have made a difference in their communities through the Action Teams, helping over 38,000 people where they live.

What do Action Team members do? They volunteer in ways their communities need--from assisting in local day care and reading programs, to serving meals in shelters and soup kitchens.

With offices around the country, Volunteers of America connects Action Team students with local programs and people who need the help of energetic teens.