Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) July 24, 2014

The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society’s (PBATS) PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) Campaign is scheduled to make a stop at Coors Field to promote the importance of children living a healthy and active lifestyle.

In 2014, the PLAY campaign became the first program in professional sports to include children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through a partnership with The Arc. On July 25, children served by The Arc of Colorado, The Arc of Pikes Peak, The Arc of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, The Arc of Larimer County, and The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties will participate in a PLAY Campaign event with Michael Cuddyer, Rockies Outfielder and Jhoulys Chacin, Rockies Right-handed Pitcher.

“The chapters of The Arc in Colorado are thrilled for the opportunity for kids with intellectual or developmental disabilities to participate in the PLAY Campaign. Physical activity and healthy living habits are critical for all children—including those with significant disabilities. We are thankful that the Colorado Rockies and the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society have chosen to include The Arc in this year’s program. Families from Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and the Denver metro area are eager to rock with the Rockies,” said Marijo Rymer, Executive Director of The Arc of Colorado.

The PLAY Campaign, conducted at all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums each season, is a public awareness campaign of PBATS. The campaign is designed to help combat childhood obesity and promote a healthy and active lifestyle by promoting fun activities and good decision making. Originally developed in 2004, PLAY is now the longest running health campaign in professional sports directed specifically at young people. The events are typically two hours in length and include stations hosted by experts from across the United States. This year, for the first time, children with I/DD from chapters of The Arc will participate alongside children without disabilities at these events.

“While we have come a long way in including people with disabilities in the sports world, too often those opportunities are segregated. Kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities are capable of and deserve to be included alongside kids without disabilities in recreational activities – and PBATS is the first professional sports organization to formally recognize this and take action. We appreciate the care that the trainers and stadium staff are taking to make these events inclusive,” said Peter V. Berns, CEO of The Arc.

NOTE: A Rockies-issued media credential is required to enter the PLAY event. Media members needing credentials can contact Irma Castaneda at (303) 312-2328 or irma(dot)castaneda(at)rockies(dot)com.

Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.







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