Major League Baseball is continuing its international expansion with the distribution of more than 12 million All-Star Game ballots in the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
This season marks the first time that MLB is handing out ballots in the Dominican Republic and Japan. It distributed ballots in the other three countries in previous years.
The ballots will be printed in English, French, Japanese and Spanish. Also, they will be distributed through newspapers, bank branches, retail stores, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants.
MLB also will sponsor Canadian balloting at Montreal Expos home games at Olympic Stadium and at Toronto Blue Jays home games at the SkyDome. In addition, fans can vote online at the MLB Web site, mlb.com.
The 2001 All-Star Game will be played on July 10 at Safeco Field in Seattle.
“Bringing the All-Star balloting program to markets like Japan and Latin America, where Major League Baseball enjoys popularity, provides yet another opportunity for fans in those markets to connect with Major League Baseball and be part of the All-Star Game experience,” said Tim Brosnan, executive vice president of business at MLB, New York.
Sponsors for the balloting include Pepsi, Burger King, Claritin and RadioShack as well as companies from the other countries where ballots will be distributed.
