Rays owner Sternberg part of diversity task force

CINCINNATI -- Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg is on Major League Baseball's On-Field Diversity Task Force, launched by Commissioner Bud Selig. The task force has set three preliminary priority initiatives that will guide the start of the Committee's comprehensive long-term action plan.

MLB will strive to address the talent pipeline that impacts the representation and development of the sport's diverse players and on-field personnel, particularly focusing on African-Americans. The three initiatives now underway include:

• Expanding MLB's reach and involvement with existing urban baseball initiatives, such as Jr. RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), the MLB Urban Youth Academies and various grassroots programs around the country.

• Implementing programs focused on improving the quality of coaching as a way to make the game more engaging, including the use of new initiatives and mobile coaching tools being developed.

• Focusing MLB's marketing reach on urban communities by using a variety of resources, including raising the profile of current and former Major Leaguers. These players would not only engage youth, families and their communities, but could also serve as coaches, program leaders or inspiring figures for youth in urban communities.