http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/news/?id=14825




Industry News 12/21/2006 6:34:41 PM




Professional Baseball Video Game League Formed

Thanks in large part to Yanks Centerfielder Johnny Damon


The Global Gaming League, Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), Boras Marketing, and Johnny Damon announced today the formation of the Professional Baseball Video Game League (PBGL). The PBGL will enable online gaming competition between major leaguers and their fans. Damon, who will serve as the leagues first Commissioner, will kick off the competitions using Project Gotham Racing 3.


"The PBGL is not a fantasy baseball league, but rather the ultimate online video competition featuring real MLB players and fans who live for the game," said Ted Owen, Chairman and Founder of GGL. "By bringing together our nation's traditional pastime and the fastest growing entertainment medium in the world, we're striving to make online video game competitions as much a part of American culture as baseball and apple pie."


"GGL is bringing together two of my biggest passions - baseball and video games - in a way that neither baseball fans nor video gamers have seen before," said Commissioner Damon. "Both baseball and video games play a huge role in today's culture in the US and around the world, and the PBGL is doing a great job of bringing these two communities together. More importantly, the PBGL is allowing me to invoke another passion of mine - the Wounded Warrior Project, which raises funds and awareness for wounded veterans. As Commissioner, I'm proud to add former U.S. Army Sergeant Steven Andrew Robison of Kansas City, Missouri, to this season's PBGL line-up."


"GGL's experience with online video game competitions and creating social networking for game players makes them a natural partner to create the PBGL," said Leslie Gittess, Vice President of Business Development for MLBAM. "MLB Advanced Media is pleased to support the PBGL and we look forward to a spirited competition among the participating professional baseball players and their fans."




Lets just hope Joel Zumaya isnt playing guitar hero too much.

12/22/2006 10:13:26 AM