Washington, DC (February 6, 2003) – It won’t be just the players reporting to Spring Training this year. For the first time, all 28 Major League Baseball Clubs in the United States have committed their operations staff to alcohol management training in preparation for the 2003 season. This accomplishment is due in part to a financial commitment from the country’s three major brewers and signals the most recent collaboration between Major League Baseball, Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company under the auspices of the TEAM Coalition, Inc. (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management).

TEAM is an alliance of professional sports, entertainment facilities, the beer industry, broadcasters and the government working to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports facilities.

In making the announcement, TEAM Executive Director Jill Pepper praised Major League Baseball for signing all clubs. “It is no small accomplishment to get 100 percent participation. The time commitment from the clubs cannot be overestimated or over appreciated. Nor should the beer industry’s contribution be ignored,” she said. The agreement calls for alcohol management training to be funded jointly by the brewers and their local distributor partners in each of the markets for the 28 Major League Baseball teams in the United States.

An estimated total of 8,100 ticket takers, ushers, parking lot attendants and security guards will receive alcohol management training in time for opening day, March 30, 2003. Facility employees learn the signs of impairment, blood alcohol content and how to properly interact with guests to circumvent potential problems. “Our clubs understand that the only action fans expect is on the field, not in the stands,” Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said. “We are working to ensure responsible alcohol consumption by adults who choose to drink, to promote the use of a designated driver and to maintain zero underage access.”

Anheuser-Busch, Miller and Coors would have it no other way, according to Jeff Becker, President of Beer Institute and a member of the TEAM Coalition. “If you look at what the beer industry has been doing over the years, alcohol training is just one example in a long history of involvement in promoting the responsible use of our products not just by the national brewers but by their local distributors, as well.”

In addition to those mentioned above, TEAM members include National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, ARAMARK, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the National Association of Broadcasters.