Aflac Launches New Labor Day NASCAR Contest 'Finding The All-American Worker'

/PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the No. 1 provider of voluntary and guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States, today announced a nationwide search for the All-American Worker. A lucky winner will receive a trip for two to Atlanta for an exclusive behind the scenes experience at the Emory Healthcare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, including a meeting with NASCAR driver Carl Edwards.

Aflac's Finding The All-American Worker contest is being hosted on the newly launched Aflac Racing page on Facebook and runs through Aug. 18. To participate in the contest, entrants must explain how they, or someone they know, go above and beyond on the job and in their lives.

"I can't think of anything better than a Labor Day race to celebrate the spirit of the American workforce -- a workforce Aflac has under its wing," said Edwards.

The grand prize includes roundtrip airfare for two, 3-day/2-night hotel accommodations, ground transportation and $500 spending money. Entries must provide a detailed account of the nominee's line of work and why the person is deserving of the prize. Entries can be submitted online at the Aflac Racing Fan page on Facebook at Facebook.com/AflacRacing.

"For 55 years, Aflac has been helping the American workforce recover from illness or injury by offering voluntary insurance policies that help protect you financially when you need it most," said Danny Fleishman, vice president of sponsorships and emerging markets at Aflac. "Aflac's Finding The All-American Worker contest allows us to spotlight an inspiring person and also treat them to a one of a kind race day experience."

Public voting on the contest page will determine the top-five submissions based on the total number of votes received. From that group, Aflac will review and judge the semifinalist essays and determine a contest winner in August.

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2009 Aflac All-American Classic Ends in Dramatic Fashion Tied 4-4

/PRNewswire/ -- A triple down the right field line by Rancho Buena Vista (Calif.) High School shortstop Tony Wolters sent the seventh annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic into extra innings for the first time since the game's inception in 2003. A unique extra innings format saw both teams score a run in the tenth inning and the game ended in a 4-all tie Sunday night at Petco Park before a record crowd of 8,027. The overall East vs. West series record for the Aflac All-American Classic, which features 40 of the nation's premiere high school baseball players, now stands at 3-3-1.

Wolters' stellar play in the field and at the plate earned him the Aflac All-American MVP title. He finished the game going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a steal. In the field, he flashed leather all night to back up his selection as the 2009 Rawlings Defensive Player of the Year.

"There are so many talented players on both squads," said Wolters. "I think all these guys (on both squads) should be receiving the MVP award. It is a huge honor and I feel very grateful to have had this experience."

The West squad wasted no time getting on the board as they took a 2-0 after both runners scored on a wild pitch and an error on the same play. Right-hander Jameson Taillon of The Woodlands (Texas) High School shut down the East squad with two scoreless innings -- including four strikeouts.

A single to left by Jacoby Jones of Richton (Miss.) High School drove in Trey Griffin of Martin Luther King Jr. High School (Stockbridge, Ga.) to tie the game 2-2 in the eighth inning. The East's Michael Arencibia of Key West (Fla.) High School scoring the go-ahead run off a wild pitch to give it the first lead of the game, 3-2.

Matt Lipka of McKinney High School (Frisco, Texas) walked in the bottom of the ninth off of Yordy Cabrera of Lakeland (Fla.) High School, to set the stage for Wolters' late inning heroics.

Due to pre-determined game rules, the game ended after 10 innings played. The bases were loaded with one out with each team having the opportunity to score. Both teams were able to put a run on the board to finish this year's Aflac Classic in a tie.

"These kids have the hearts of champions," said Steve Vickery, West team head coach from Lakeside (Calif.) High School. "It was great to see the kids step up and put it all on the line in the last inning. Their intensity and drive showed the true passion these kids have for the game of baseball."

Prior to the game, in a matchup of the top sluggers from the East and West squads, Cabrera hit five tape measure shots in the final round to win this year's Home Run Derby title.

Players were honored at the Aflac All-American awards dinner Saturday evening at the San Diego Hall of Champions. The top honor of the night went to Bryce Harper, a 6-foot-3,195-pound catcher from Las Vegas (Nev.) High School, when he won the Aflac National High School Player of the Year and was presented with the 2009 Jackie Robinson Award.

On hand to make the presentation was Sonya Pankey, granddaughter of Jackie Robinson, and Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, the Aflac All-American Classic's honorary chairman.

Three other awards were given out at the ceremony. A.J. Cole, (Oviedo HS) of Winter Springs, Fla., was named Pitcher of the Year. For his outstanding abilities with his glove, Wolters won the inaugural Rawlings Defensive Player of the Year award. In a balloting of coaches, players and staff, Cameron Bedrosian (East Coweta HS) of Senoia, Ga., and Tyler Austin (Heritage HS) of Conyers, Ga., shared the Perfect Game Nick Adenhart Award. The award bears the name of Nick Adenhart, a 2003 Aflac All-American who was killed in an automobile accident hours after making his first start this season for the Los Angeles Angels.

During the banquet, Aflac, as part of its ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, donated $100,000 to Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. Additionally, Aflac also made a $20,000 donation to Coaches Curing Kids Cancer. Since 2003, the Aflac All-American Classic has generated $805,000 for charity.

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Strong Arms, Big Bats Comprise Talented Group of Aflac's National Baseball Player of the Year Nominees

/PRNewswire/ -- Five of the nation's most dominant prep players -- three power pitchers, one catcher and one two-way talent -- have been nominated for the sixth annual Aflac National High School Player of the Year Award, given to the country's top high school baseball player.

The Player of the Year recipient will be presented with the Jackie Robinson Award, a trophy named in honor of the late Hall of Famer. Robinson's granddaughter, Sonya Pankey, will present the award at the Aflac All-American Awards Dinner held at the Hilton Bayfront on Aug. 15 in San Diego, Calif. Also on hand for the ceremony will be Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, who returns as honorary chairman for the 2009 Aflac All-American Baseball Classic.

The Jackie Robinson award, named after the first player to break the Major League Baseball color barrier, recognizes the nation's top player who demonstrates outstanding character, exhibits leadership and embodies the values of being a student athlete.

"The Jackie Robinson Award nominees are the very best our nation's high schools have to offer, and we honor them for their contributions both on the field and in their communities," said Jeff Charney, Aflac senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "We salute them for their achievements and commend them for representing Jackie Robinson's amazing legacy."

The 2009 Aflac National High School Player of the Year nominees are:

-- Andrew Cole, RHP, Oviedo High School - Winter Springs, Fla.
-- Bryce Harper, C, Las Vegas High School - Las Vegas, Nev.
-- Justin O'Conner, RHP/INF, Cowan Junior/Senior High School - Muncie,
Ind.
-- DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tattnall Square Academy - Macon, Ga.
-- Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands High School - The Woodlands, Texas

The inaugural Jackie Robinson Award, presented in 2004, went to Aflac All-American alumnus Justin Upton, a shortstop from Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, Va.). The Arizona Diamondbacks made Upton the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 Major League Baseball June draft, and he was selected to the MLB All-Star roster in 2009.

Other previous winners include Cody Johnson, a first baseman/outfielder from Mosley High School (Panama City, Fla.) in 2005, Michael Burgess, an outfielder/pitcher from Hillsborough High School (Tampa, Fla.) in 2006 and Tim Melville, a pitcher/outfielder from Wentzville High School (Wentzville, Mo.) in 2007. Last year, Mychal Givens, a pitcher/infielder from Plant High School (Tampa, Fla.) won the award. Player of the Year nominees are determined by official Aflac All-American Baseball Classic selection partner Perfect Game and media partner Baseball America.

The seventh annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic will be played Sunday, Aug. 16, at PETCO Park in San Diego, the second consecutive year the game has been played in a major league stadium. The event is the nation's elite high school baseball showcase, featuring the top 40 baseball players in an East vs. West matchup. The game will be televised live nationally on FOX Sports Net at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

The Aflac Baseball Classic is more than just a game. It is part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, with proceeds benefiting Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. Since 2003, the Classic has generated $685,000 for charity.

To learn more about the Aflac National High School Player of the Year nominees and the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic, visit www.aflacallamerican.com.

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Deja Vu: 10 More Aflac All-Americans Picked in First Round of 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft

/PRNewswire / -- For the second year in a row, 10 former Aflac All-Americans were selected today in the first round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Donavan Tate, regarded as the top high school player in this year's draft, went No. 3 to the San Diego Padres.

Aflac All-Americans have been well represented in the first round since the Aflac All-American Game's inception in 2003. Overall 62 Aflac All-American alumni have been selected in the first round, including current major leaguer Justin Upton (No. 1 overall, 2005) of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last year, Tim Beckham was the first of 10 All Americans selected when the Tampa Bay Rays made him the draft's top pick.

The annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game showcases 38 of the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Aflac All-Americans are chosen by official selection partners Baseball America magazine and prep scouting service Perfect Game USA.

Aflac All-American players drafted in today's first round included:

3 - Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS, Carterville, Ga. (San Diego)
6 - Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga. San Francisco)
9 - Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Academy, St. Charles, Mo. (Detroit)

11 - Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, Ca. (Colorado)

14 - Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS, Spring, Texas (Texas)
21 - Jiovanni Mier, INF, Bonita HS, Pomona, Ca. (Houston)
29 - Slade Heathcott, OF, Texas HS, Texarkana, Texas (New York Yankees)
30 - LeVon Washington, INF, Buchholz HS, Gainesville, Fla. (Tampa Bay)
36 - Matt Davidson, INF, Yucaipa HS, Yucaipa, Ca. (Arizona)
39 - Kentrail Davis, OF, Tennessee (Milwaukee)


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Aflac Outdoor Games Return to Columbus for a Second Year

/PRNewswire/ -- Aflac announces it will be the title sponsor for the 2009 Aflac Outdoor Games held on June 19-21. For the second consecutive year, the popular three-day event will take place at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Ga.

Aflac Outdoor Games is a combination of several events including the Collegiate and Professional Championships of the STIHL(R) TIMBERSPORTS(R) Series, a competition consisting of eight disciplines that challenge competitors' strength, endurance, stamina, tool skill and agility. The saw chips fly, and the competition is fierce. In fact, last year during the Aflac Outdoor Games, New Zealander Jason Wynyard broke the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS world record in the stock saw discipline, making three cuts through a foot-wide log in just under 10 seconds.

"Last year was a tremendous success for everyone involved," said Paul Amos II, president and chief operating officer, Aflac U.S. "Aflac is very pleased to return as the Outdoor Games' title sponsor and to help bring this quality family event back to our hometown."

"Our athletes were impressed with the hospitality Aflac and Columbus showed last year, and we are excited to bring the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series back to be part of the Aflac Outdoor Games," said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. "With the level of competition growing each year, fans can be assured that this year's professional and collegiate championships will be the most exciting yet."

The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series is broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU, which will bring national exposure to the region. For more information on the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series, visit www.espnoutdoors.com/timbersports.

Among the events making an encore performance at the Aflac Outdoor Games will be the Pig Bowl, a national and local barbeque cooking contest. The Kansas City Barbeque Society, an organization that has sanctioned almost 300 barbeque contests throughout the United States, has put its seal of approval on the professional portion of the Pig Bowl competition to be held during the Aflac Outdoor Games. The local contest is open to amateur cook teams from the Valley area. Dog dock diving will be back with a new event called Ultimate Air Dogs. Agility Dogs and Flyball also return. There will be a designated area just for kids with the Knology Family Zone, a place for small ones to climb, bounce, draw, and many more activities.

In addition to the events back from 2008, the Aflac Outdoor Games will host two new entries - the Georgia State Frisbee Dog Championships and the Extreme Power Sports Archery Challenge. These competitions were created to add more quality events to an already robust lineup.

"We're very excited about planning for the 2009 Games. The success of last year's event generated a great deal of interest for the 2009 Games," said Warner Neal, president of Outdoor Events.

"Bringing back last year's events and adding events we feel will be fan favorites in 2009 should make this even more appealing to everyone in the Valley area. The benefits to the area are immense. There is the obvious economic impact and, the exposure Columbus will gain from the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series being broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU. It's a win-win for the Valley area for sure."

Advanced tickets per day are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. Admission is free for children under 5 years of age. Family and military rates are also available. Tickets can be purchased at all area Piggly Wiggly and Lewis Jones stores.

For more information on the events -- including registering for some of the events -- please visit AflacOutdoorGames.com.

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Power Arms Vie for Aflac's National Baseball Player of the Year Honors

SSG Note: Kudos to Donavan Tate of Cartersville, GA. We're pulling for you!

PRNewswire/ -- Pitchers with incredible talent dominate the finalists as four hurlers are among the five players nominated for the fifth annual Aflac National High School Player of the Year Award, given to the country's top prep baseball player. The Player of the Year recipient will be presented with the Jackie Robinson Award, a trophy named in honor of the late Hall of Famer. Sharon Robinson, Robinson's daughter, will present the award at the Aflac All-American Awards Dinner held at the Omni Hotel on Aug. 8, 2008, in Los Angeles. Also on hand for the ceremony will be Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, who returns as honorary chairman for the 2008 Aflac All-American Baseball Game.

"We are extremely pleased to once again have Jackie Robinson's name associated with this prestigious award," said Sharon Robinson. "This award has gone to fine young men who exemplify what my father stood for, and gives recognition to the student athletes who strive for excellence and give back to the community."

  The Player of the Year nominees are:

 -- Mychal Givens, INF/RHP, Plant HS - Tampa, Fla.
 -- Austin Maddox, C/RHP, Eagle's View Academy - Jacksonville, Fla.
 -- Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS - Mission Viejo, Ca.
 -- Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS - Spring, Texas
 -- Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS - Cartersville, Ga.
 -- Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy - St. Charles, Mo.

The inaugural Jackie Robinson Award, presented in 2004, went to Aflac All-American alumnus Justin Upton, a shortstop from Great Bridge HS (Chesapeake, Va.). The Arizona Diamondbacks made Upton the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 Major League Baseball June draft. Other winners were Cody Johnson, a first baseman/outfielder from Mosley HS (Panama City, Fla.) in 2005, Michael Burgess, an outfielder/pitcher from Hillsborough HS (Tampa, Fla.) in 2006 and Tim Melville, a pitcher/outfielder from Wentzville HS (Wentzville, Mo.), was honored last year.

The Jackie Robinson award, named after the first player to break the Major League Baseball color barrier, recognizes the nation's top rising senior who demonstrates outstanding character, exhibits leadership and embodies the values of being a student athlete. The player of the year nominees were determined by official Aflac All-American Baseball Game selection partner Perfect Game and media partner Baseball America.

The sixth annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game will be played Saturday, Aug. 9, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The event is the nation's elite high school baseball showcase featuring the top 38 rising senior players in an East vs. West match-up. The game will be televised live nationally on Fox Sports Net at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Proceeds from the game will benefit ThinkCure, the official charity of the Dodgers, which supports critical cancer research at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Since 2005, the game has generated nearly $525,000 for charity.

To learn more about the Aflac National High School Player of the Year nominees and the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game, visit www.aflacallamerican.com