On July 3, 2016 Major League Baseball (MLB) recognized the service of U.S.
military personnel and their families by holding the first ever major league baseball game on a military
installation. Fort Bragg, located in North Carolina, is the largest military base in the world with a
population of over 250,000. MLB distributed 12,582 free tickets to the Marlins-Braves game through a
lottery system. Military public affairs representative, Christina Douglas, called Sunday’s game, “the most
meaningful event I’ve seen. Major League Baseball and the Players Association have gone above and
beyond for our service members, their families and the whole Fort Bragg community.”

The Major League Baseball Players Trust also awarded $100,000 to the nonprofit, Our Military Kids, to
help provide extracurricular opportunities to the children of military personnel. The Players Trust
Director, Melissa Persaud, commented, “The Players are honored to be in the position to help support the
efforts of Our Military Kids, and to recognize the organization’s commitment to help the children of
military personnel during a week when the baseball world shifts its attention to Ft. Bragg and the historic
game between the Marlins and Braves.”

With a full stadium, Sgt Traci Gregg of the 82nd Airborne opened the game with the Star Spangled
Banner followed by four military helicopters flying above the field. “This is a literal example of what
makes America special,” Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps,
said, “You’ve got this community here, this sports community here, this community here in Fayetteville,
North Carolina, and the soldiers and the services, and the civilians and the family members of Fort Bragg
— all came together to make this event possible.”

Our Military Kids Executive Director Linda Davidson was present at the game to receive the donation
from the Players Trust. She expressed her gratitude to all involved. “We are thrilled that the Major
League Baseball Players Trust is joining Our Military Kids in supporting our troop’s most precious assets
– their children,” she said. “It is significant that this historic game and the presentation of this gift are
taking place over the July 4th weekend. It serves as a reminder that we all have an obligation to support
our military families while they selflessly serve to protect our freedoms.”

After the Marlins defeated the Braves 5-2, the players from each of the teams stayed behind to sign
baseballs and give them out to the crowd, marking the end of a historic and successful event.