Travis Hafner Named Honorary Chairman of 2010 Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup

Online, March 31, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Cleveland, OH (March 31, 2010) - The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has named Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner as the honorary chairman for the 2010 Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup International Youth Baseball Tournament. Hafner is known for his impressive accomplishments as a threat in the Cleveland Indians line-up, as he is the club's all-time leader in home runs (150) and RBI (513) as a designated hitter. Hafner is now in 11th place on the franchise all-time career home run list with 162 home runs, one behind Ken Keltner for 10th place.

Hafner is extremely active in the Cleveland community on a year-round basis. He participates in the club's annual "Show with a Pro" event and several programs around the holidays to raise money for Cleveland Indians Charities and collect toys for area organizations. He and his wife, Amy, are also very involved with the Cleveland Animal Protective League, Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland (Pronk's Peeps & Youth of the Year Program) and Beechbrook, an east side center for disadvantaged kids and families. His commitment to the community earned Hafner the club's 2007 nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award.

"I am excited to serve as honorary chairman for the 2010 Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup. This tournament will showcase tremendous youth baseball talent and promote the spirit of goodwill, teamwork, and having fun on the baseball diamond," said Travis Hafner.

The Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup continues to be one of the fastest growing international youth baseball tournaments in the nation, offering athletes the opportunity to play competitively against quality teams from around the globe. Now in its second year, the tournament is estimating 30 teams (U12 and U14) from around the world will participate in 2010. Teams from Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Dominican Republic and across the United States have already registered to participate. The tournament will take place July 1-4, 2010 at Euclid Memorial Park in Euclid, Ohio with the final Championship game to be held at Progressive Field.

The Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup is part of the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health International Youth Sports Festival, one of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's annual proprietary events. The 2010 Festival will comprise of the AC Milan Continental Cup (soccer), Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup (baseball) and the newly added Cleveland Cavaliers Continental Cup (basketball). The Festival is unique as it combines competitive international sports with cultural exchange and education, entertainment, attractions, shopping and exciting activities.

For more information on the Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup, visit www.continental-cup.com.
The mission of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland community by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities. For more information on the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, visit clevelandsports.org.