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MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Reach One-Millionth Fan Attendance Milestone

June 25, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


In just three and a half seasons, the Great Lakes Loons reached a significant attendance milestone, their one-millionth fan, during the Loons home game on Friday, June 25. To celebrate the occasion, the Loons held a pre-game ceremony on the field and awarded the one-millionth fan, Sue Merry of Sanford, a diamond valued at over $5,000 courtesy of The Dow Chemical Company. In addition to the diamond, Merry was presented with a commemorative one-millionth fan jersey and threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.

"We have been very fortunate to receive such tremendous support from our fans and sponsors over the first three-and-a-half seasons of Loons baseball," said Loons President and General Manager Paul Barbeau. "The one-millionth fan symbolizes that support, and underscores the economic and charitable impact the Loons, Dow Diamond and the Michigan Baseball Foundation have had on the Great Lakes Bay Region."

Tim Nash of Northwood University and Debashish Chakraborty of Central Michigan University recently completed an economic impact study showing the positive effects the Loons and Dow Diamond have had on the region. The study found that the Michigan Baseball Foundation (MBF) and the Great Lakes Loons support over 300 jobs and create over $24 million of annual economic impact on the region. This impact is generated by employment opportunities with the Loons, spending by the Loons with regional businesses, and by increased visitor spending in our region from people attending Loons games.

In addition to economic impact figures, the Michigan Baseball Foundation also announced a significant milestone in charitable giving. Since 2007, MBF and the Great Lakes Loons have contributed over $1 million of cash and in-kind donations to regional organizations. This giving includes:

* Over $300,000 through the Michigan Baseball Foundation's annual grant process

* Over $225,000 to regional non-profit organizations for staffing Dow Diamond concession stands

* Over $500,000 of in-kind donations to regional organizations in the form of exposure at Loons games and on ESPN 100.9FM, as well as ticket and merchandise donations in support of fundraising efforts

The Michigan Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and public charity, which was formed in 2006 to generate regional economic development through creative partnerships and grants and to enhance the efforts of regional organizations that serve young people. The Michigan Baseball Foundation owns and operates Dow Diamond, home of the Great Lakes Loons. The Foundation received its initial funding from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, The Dow Corning Corporation, The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and The Bill and Linda Stavropoulos Foundation.

The Great Lakes Loons are a fourth-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and members of the Midwest League. For more information about the Great Lakes Loons, the Michigan Baseball Foundation, or Dow Diamond visit Loons.com.

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