Tampa Bay Rays, Chris Archer and Good Sports Team Up In Support of the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department

July 8, 2014 (Tampa, Fla.) - This afternoon, the Tampa Bay Rays, starting pitcher Chris Archer and Good Sports, along with 10 News, presented a variety of new sports and recreation equipment to the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department in order for the organization to offer additional programming at their 28 locations throughout the city. Archer also played a game of wiffle ball with the children at the Spring Hill Community Center.

This donation, which includes baseball bats, softball bats, helmets, floor hockey sets, footballs, soccer balls and folding sports goals, will allow the Parks & Recreation Department to distribute the equipment throughout the city, ensuring that even more youth are impacted every day.

"Good Sports is a great organization run by great people," said Archer. "Their selection process allows them to find the right programs in need of sports equipment. I've worked with them on several occasions-they have a significant impact on the children involved."

"Our goal is to ensure all kids have the opportunity to engage in sports and fitness and all the benefits that go along with those opportunities," said Christy Keswick, Chief Operating Officer at Good Sports. "The Tampa Bay Rays have once again shown that they are committed to ensuring that the children in the Tampa community have access to fun physical activity throughout the year."

The Athletic Division of the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department provides year-round activities and engagement for over 1,500 youth throughout the city. Their programming is focused on enhancing skill development and understanding for a variety of multi-season sports, including baseball/softball, football, basketball, soccer and many other sports.

About the Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have proudly represented Major League Baseball in the Tampa Bay region since 1998. The organization and its foundation are committed to building a strong community bond through meaningful interaction and charitable contributions.

About Good Sports

Good Sports helps to lay the foundation for healthy, active lifestyles by providing athletic equipment, footwear, and apparel to disadvantaged young people nationwide. By partnering with sporting goods manufacturers, Good Sports is able to get the necessary equipment into the hands of the kids that need it most, giving them a chance to get in the game. Since 2003, Good Sports has provided over $10.8 million worth of equipment to over 1,600 youth programs, impacting more than 950,000 kids. For more information on how you can support Good Sports, please visit www.goodsports.org.

About WTSP / 10 News

WTSP-TV, 10 News is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), an international media and marketing solutions company that informs and engages more than 100 million people every month through its powerful network of broadcast, digital, mobile and publishing properties. Our portfolio of trusted brands offers marketers unmatched local-to-national reach and customizable, innovative marketing solutions across any platform. Gannett is committed to connecting people - and the companies who want to reach them - with their interests and communities. For more information, visit www.gannett.com.