Alomar's home run challenge returning in 2014

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Blue Jays announced that Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar will be hosting a Roberto Alomar & Friends charity home run challenge in four cities across the country in support of Jays Care Foundation.

The charitable events will be taking part in Toronto (May 8), Vancouver (July 6), Moncton (July 30) and Okotoks, AB (Aug. 10). Toronto alumni Jesse Barfield, Lloyd Moseby and others will be attending to provide pointers to the various participants.

The funds raised will allow Jays Care Foundation to support the Blue Jays Baseball Academy rookie league in Toronto, the refurbishment of a teen room at the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast in Vancouver and improvements to multiple baseball diamonds in both Moncton and the town of High River in Alberta.

"I am very excited to help Jays Care Foundation grow this program in Canada," Alomar said in a statement. "I love the work that Jays Care does, and I'm happy to get out on the field and help people hit some home runs for a good cause."

Local participants will receive a personalized uniform and equipment to participate in the alumni led hitting drills to prepare for each at-bat. The charity home run challenges were made possible through donations of equation from Rawlings and prizes courtesy of WestJet.

"The Roberto Alomar & Friends Charity Home Run Challenge program has been overwhelmingly successful and we are thrilled to be partnering with Robbie Alomar -- a true Blue Jays champion on and off the baseball diamond," executive director of Jays Care Foundation Danielle Bedasse said.

"The expansion of this popular program will not only help grow the game of baseball across Canada, but will assist Jays Care Foundation in leaving Blue Jays legacy programs from coast to coast."