USA – President Obama will be the fourth U.S. President to throw out the first pitch at the Midsummer Classic joining John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford. President Obama will be the seventh U.S. President to attend the All-Star Game. The first U.S. President to attend an All-Star Game was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937.

The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, with pre-game ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised in more than 200 countries and territories by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage.

On April 22, Major League Baseball dedicated its 2009 All-Star Game and surrounding events to raising funds and awareness for charitable initiatives and celebrating the importance of community service. The charity and community service initiatives, which are themed “Going Beyond,” will be the most extensive in Major League Baseball All-Star history. In addition, Major League Baseball is supporting President Obama’s call for community service through “United We Serve,” a program which encourages Americans to engage in sustained and meaningful community service. President Obama is encouraging all Americans to visit www.serve.gov to find service opportunities in their area.

“Major League Baseball is truly honored that President Obama will be in attendance to throw out the first pitch at the 80th All-Star Game on July 14 in St. Louis,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “The central theme of the 2009 All-Star Game is community service, celebrating the extraordinary work being done by ordinary people. We are thrilled that we can come together with President Obama, who has encouraged a renewed spirit of national service, and illustrate a call to action in our communities. President Obama will continue a great tradition that joins our nation’s leader and the national pastime.”

Following is a list of Presidential appearances at the MLB All-Star Game:

1937 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt

1962 – President John F. Kennedy threw out the Ceremonial First Pitch

1970 – President Richard Nixon threw out the Ceremonial First Pitch

1976 – President Gerald Ford threw out the Ceremonial First Pitch

1978 – Former President Gerald Ford threw out the Ceremonial First Pitch

1989 – Former President Ronald Reagan

1991 – President George H.W. Bush with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney

1992 – President George H.W. Bush with President Carlos Salinas de Gortari of Mexico

About 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 14th in St. Louis and will feature the best of the American League taking on the top players of the National League.

Taco Bell All-Star Sunday on Sunday, July 12th

- XM All-Star Futures Game
- Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game

Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13th

- State Farm Home Run Derby.

Fans will have an opportunity to experience All-Star Summer through a variety of special events including Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest, the five-day interactive fan festival; the MLB All-Star Charity Concert presented by Pepsi benefiting Stand Up To Cancer, a free concert for fans under The Gateway Arch featuring Sheryl Crow; the All-Star Charity 5K & Fun Run presented by Sports Authority and Nike, a charity run on a baseball-themed route to benefit three cancer organizations; and the All-Star Game Red Carpet Show presented by Chevy, a free parade of All-Stars leading into Busch Stadium.

For more information about 2009 All-Star Summer, visit www.allstargame.com.

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