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Ecuador Youth Attend Major League Baseball Spring Training in the United States

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) SportsUnited office has partnered with Major League Baseball (MLB) to bring a group of young baseball players from Ecuador to Arizona to experience the shared love of baseball between the United States and Ecuador.

The delegation of twelve boys and girls, ages 13-15, and two coaches will attend MLB's Cactus League in Phoenix, February 26 - March 7, 2010. The visitors will get an inside look at Spring Training including in-depth tours of various stadiums and their training facilities. MLB will host the group at Spring Training games between the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners; and, the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers.

The group's itinerary will also include baseball practice and clinics with Little League in Chandler, a disability program with Special Olympics, and baseball and softball skills training at local high schools and colleges.

The ECA Sports Visitor Program introduces foreign youth to sports in America, through visits and clinics at high schools, clubs, and universities. All SportsUnited exchange programs also provide guidance to the participants about nutrition, strength and conditioning, Title IX, sports and disabilities, and team building.

For more information, please visit the SportsUnited website [ ], or contact Laura Tischler, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, at 202-632-6454 and TischlerLL@state.gov.

Source: U.S. Department of State