The Atlanta Braves may be 10 games out of first place in their division, but they’re helping lead the way when it comes to anti-bullying efforts.
In a public service announcement distributed to 100 metro Atlanta schools, popular players like Jonny Gomes and Shelby Miller stress the importance of "striking out" bullying by confiding in a trusted teacher or coach. "You should know you're not alone," says catcher AJ Pierzynski.
That message will be emphatically underscored on Friday at Turner Field, right before the Braves take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Starting at 5:40 p.m., Fan Plaza will be the site of "Going to Bat," an anti-bullying rally that's a team effort by the Braves, the North Fulton Rotary Club and Up With People. Along with screening the PSA and highlighting anti-bullying efforts, there'll be two performances by Up With People, a global education organization which aims to bring the world together through service and music.
“The goal of the evening is to show that even though people are from other cultures and parts of the world, we can all unite as one,” said Braves community affairs coordinator Kathryn Bennett.
A second anti-bullying rally will take place on Sept. 10th, prior to the home game against the New York Mets. It will also feature a special appearance by former Braves outfielder Brian Jordan. In addition to serving as a pre-game analyst on "Braves Live" on FSNSouth and SportsSouth now, Jordan is the author of three children's books, including "Time Out for Bullies." The first 250 kids who preregister will receive copies of the book.
That second event is being put on in conjunction with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Braves's partner in an ongoing "No Place for Hate" anti-bullying campaign. The PSA is part of that effort; if you can't make it out to Fan Plaza Friday, you can check out the video here on the "Braves Strike Out Bullying" page on the team's web site (it's also your last chance to see Chris Johnson , who was traded to the Cleveland Indians last week, in a Braves uniform). You can purchase game tickets on the web site as well. The Fan Plaza rallies are open to anyone with a ticket to the game.
“We are consistently trying to make (the anti-bullying efforts) a bigger thing,” said Bennett, adding that Friday’s is the first rally being done with organizations other than the ADL. “The good news is, each year, it’s snowballing.”
