TEAM Coalition proudly recognized this year’s MLB training certification and designated driver program award winners at the MLB Ballpark Operations and Guest Services meeting on November 16, 2017. TEAM Coalition is a unique alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, distillers, broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities.
In 2017, more than 52,000 employees became certified in the training program. The 14,000 employees of MLB ballparks that became TEAM-certified in 2017 – including ushers, ticket takers, guest services representatives and the employees of concessionaire companies – represented 28% of that total. Click here to see all the MLB training award winners.
During the 2017 season, more than 568,000 MLB fans pledged to be designated drivers. The Designated Drivers for the Season from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jennifer Wells, and the Houston Astros, Gabby Zavala, attended the 2017 World Series Games 1 and 3, respectively, as the grand prize winners of the Responsibility Has Its Rewards sweepstakes for designated drivers. At the 2017 MLB Ballpark Operations and Guest Services meetings, the Designated Driver for the Season for the Boston Red Sox, Carol Virshbo, was selected as the first prize winner of the Responsibility Has Its Rewards sweepstakes. Carol and a guest will attend the 2018 MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.
At the Ballpark Operations and Guest Services meeting, the Top 5 MLB Clubs for Designated Drivers were recognized, in addition to the Club with the greatest increase in participation in the designated driver program. Click here to see the MLB designated driver program winners.
In conjunction with Budweiser, the official beer of MLB, TEAM Coalition supported four Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Challenges. Eight Clubs participated. Click here to see the Designated Driver Challenge winners.
2017 was a phenomenal season for MLB in terms of designated drivers and ballpark employees becoming TEAM certified. Congratulations to all the award winners.
