For Immediate Release
Baseball America, Durham, NC
April 19, 2006

Baseball America and Baseball Factory Announce Strategic Partnership
To Enhance Coverage and Reach

Baseball America announced today a strategic partnership with Baseball Factory that will both expand Baseball America's reach to high school baseball players and their families as well as broaden its coverage of high school prospects. The partnership includes the co-marketing and cross selling of both companies’ products and services at live events, online and through the publications of Baseball America. Baseball Factory scouting information will also be utilized in Baseball America, Prospects Plus and on BaseballAmerica.com.

“Baseball Factory reaches thousands of high school athletes through a myriad of professional products and services. Their unique roster of former college coaches and major league scouts is one of the most extensive in the industry,” said Catherine Silver, President and CEO of Baseball America. “As a result, the scouting information gathered by these experienced professionals will greatly enhance Baseball America’s coverage of the high school prospect market. Baseball Factory and their affiliate Team One’s demonstrated commitment to the player and their family by helping them secure a place in college baseball and be exposed to professional scouts makes them a valuable partner for Baseball America.  High School and college baseball are key categories for BA content and circulation, so we are very excited about the future possibilities of this strategic partnership.”

Baseball Factory built their business by offering high-level skill development, instruction, tournament competition and college planning and placement. “We have advised our players to read and subscribe to BA as it is the ‘voice of the baseball community’ and provides valuable information these young athletes need as they develop,” said Mac Seibert, Baseball Factory VP and Former National Cross Checker of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.  “We are proud to partner with BA to help them grow their high school audience as well as have our scouting information appear in their publications.” 

A key element of the partnership is BA’s sponsorship of Baseball University, the first interactive online, distance-learning program, designed by Baseball Factory to educate and certify amateur and high school coaches. Baseball University is designed to be a main provider of certification for youth and high school coaches, establishing a worldwide standard by which every coach should adhere. The certification program aims to develop more qualified coaches and as a result, build better baseball players and attract more players to the sport.

“Our volunteer youth coaches are the backbone of our great sport and our experience working with them over the last 11 years tells us that they’re hungry for age specific information,” said Steve Sclafani, Baseball Factory CEO and Founder.  “Baseball University delivers this information in a user-friendly manner allowing coaches to learn at their own pace. Our certification program takes the guess work out at each level and gives coaches a central place where they can learn proper techniques and strategies that will help improve each of their respective players’ experience.  We believe there is a correlation between well-prepared coaches and players having fun, learning the game the right way and continuing on with our great sport.”   

Baseball University increases the baseball knowledge of players, parents, coaches and baseball enthusiasts through professional digital video, educational lectures and detailed written materials. Individuals are able to strengthen their baseball comprehension by selecting courses on topics that pique their interest. From beginner fundamentals to advanced strategy, player development and college baseball recruiting, Baseball University offers a comprehensive program that is easily accessible to millions of individuals engaged in coaching young people in the fundamentals of baseball.

“For 25 years, Baseball America has been committed to amateur baseball with a unique perspective on the high school player,” added Lee Folger, VP and Publisher of Baseball America. “Many major league stars can trace their first media appearance to a story in Baseball America. In the past five years, we have been active in developing this key market through our sponsorship of tournaments, showcases, summer baseball programs, the AFLAC All-American Classic and fund-raisers for youth baseball programs. The development of coaches, players and future fans of the game is of key importance to Baseball America and our sponsorship of Baseball University will greatly expand and extend this fine program’s reach in the marketplace, helping to ensure its success.”

Baseball University will provide advanced distance-learning opportunities through the use of Blackboard technologies. Blackboard is used as the online, distance-learning program for hundreds of universities including Harvard and Princeton. Through this technology, all courses and coach certification classes are taught using dynamic online video. Students will be able to review written educational materials and lectures by professors while simultaneously viewing corresponding video clips. The technology used by Baseball University is at the forefront of today’s online video industry.

Baseball University offers a variety of 10-week courses on college recruiting, scouting, player development and instruction. Each course will have a syllabus, professor lectures and a discussion board so participants can communicate directly with faculty members. In addition, Baseball University will offer specific coach certifications, for age groups beginning at 5-years-old through the high school level.

About Baseball America
Baseball America is the nation’s leading baseball resource, with in-depth coverage of every level of the game, from high school and college to the minor and major leagues, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players.  Founded in 1981, Baseball America quickly established itself as the foremost baseball-only publication and has grown into a full-service media company with a 26 times a year publication, a total of five annual reference book titles, radio and television appearances, and a popular website, www.baseballamerica.com.

About Baseball Factory
Baseball Factory provides baseball players nationwide with the very best instruction, tournament competition, and college planning and placement. From day one, the Baseball Factory has understood the challenges facing high school players heading to college. That is why the Baseball Factory has developed programs to provide players, parents, high school coaches, college coaches, and professional scouts with year round guidance and information so that they all can benefit from Baseball Factory's long-standing relationships in the baseball community.  

About Team One Baseball
Team One Baseball provides exposure opportunities for the nation’s top high school players to come together and play in front of large amounts of scouts and college recruiters through the company’s showcase events. Team One showcases have featured 118 players who have played, or are currently playing, Major League Baseball. Some of the players include Cubs pitcher Mark Prior (selected to the 2003 all-star team), Athletics third baseman and four-time Gold Glove winner Eric Chavez, 2003 Cy Young winner Roy Halladay (of the Blue Jays), and Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock, a two-time American League all-star.