For the Reporter

Auburn Chevrolet is partnering with the Auburn Little League.

The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 through a Chevrolet vehicle sweepstakes.

The program kicked off March 1 and runs through July 15.

“Youth baseball provides positive and productive life lessons for young people across America, and the Chevrolet Youth Baseball program is an extension of Chevrolet’s commitment to baseball, community and families,” said Jamie Bothell, fleet and commercial manager for Auburn Chevrolet. “Auburn Chevrolet is bringing that same dedication to youth baseball.

“There is nothing more American than Chevrolet and baseball, and Auburn Chevrolet wants to combine America’s favorite brand and favorite pastime together for our families in Auburn to enjoy,” Bothell added.

The program, in its seventh year, has helped raise more than $13 million to aid local teams, affecting more than 2.7 million young people in communities where Chevrolet’s customers live, work and play. This year, about 1,600 Chevrolet dealers are participating.

Auburn Chevrolet will present the Auburn Little League with 10 new equipment kits, complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, whiffle balls, hitting nets, batting tees and Chevrolet Youth Baseball T-shirts. The sponsorship includes youth clinics featuring former major and minor league players, coaches and instructors from Ripken Baseball.

In addition, Auburn Chevrolet will present a check representing a one-time monetary donation to Auburn Little League. The team also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds through a Chevrolet Youth Baseball Fundraiser.

Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fundraiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation, and each league will keep 100 percent of the proceeds it raises.  At the end of the fundraiser, five winners – one from each region – will win the Chevrolet Equinox or Chevrolet Cruze vehicle of their choice. Each participating market will award a secondary prize of a television and Blu-Ray player.

In addition to its commitment to youth baseball, Chevrolet also is the Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball™.

“Chevrolet vehicles are designed and built for families, so we hope young people and their parents will consider a Chevrolet as an official vehicle of their household,” Bothell said.

As part of Chevrolet’s continued support of communities and youth baseball, Chevrolet also is bringing back Diamonds & Dreams for its third year.

Participants can enter to win a baseball field makeover for their community.  Chevrolet will award 12 weekly field makeover prizes and the opportunity to win the Grand Prize of an all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The sweepstakes will begin in mid-April; visit chevybaseball.com for more information.

For more information about Chevrolet Youth Baseball, please visit www.youthsportswired.com.