MLB Honorary Bat Girl Contest

Via MLB:

HONORARY BAT GIRL CONTEST TO RECOGNIZE FANS

RETURNS FOR 2010 MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION

Program to Reward Inspirational Stories of Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer

30 Winners to Work with MLB Clubs as Honorary Bat Girls

Major League Baseball® (MLB) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, today launched the 2010 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, a campaign developed to recognize MLB fans who are Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer in their daily lives. Men and women 18 and older can go online at www.mlb.com/honorarybatgirl to vote and enter to win a chance at becoming an Honorary Bat Girl during scheduled Mother’s Day celebrations. Each Honorary Bat Girl will have an opportunity to take part in pre-game activities, be honored during an on-field ceremony and receive two tickets to the game and pink MLB merchandise. MLB.com, the official web site of MLB, has begun accepting fan submissions for the online contest that ends April 13.

During the six-week online submission period, baseball fans can share their stories of inspiration and hope of how they are supporting the fight against breast cancer and why they want to be an Honorary Bat Girl for their favorite MLB Club. Testimonials can be submitted by breast cancer survivors, advocates and supporters of the cause. A celebrity panel of judges will select the winning submissions, based on the following criteria: originality, quality of writing, demonstration of commitment to breast cancer awareness and public appeal as determined by online fan votes.

“Major League Baseball is very proud of the partnership we have forged with Susan G. Komen for the Cure,” said Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business, Major League Baseball. “The launch of the Honorary Bat Girl campaign last year was a successful complement to our Mother’s Day Celebration, and helped put a face on the millions of fans affected by breast cancer and further helped raise awareness for the cause.”

The program was introduced in 2009 to raise additional awareness and support for the annual Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer initiative, a joint effort between MLB, its licensed partners and Komen for the Cure. Last year, more than 1,000 testimonials were submitted and nearly 2.2 million fan votes were cast.

“A day at Kauffman Stadium as Honorary Bat Girl was truly a memorable experience,” said Jodi Guess Scruggs, Kansas City Royals 2009 Honorary Bat Girl Contest winner. “How rewarding to spend the day with my list of favorites; Royals, Major League Baseball, family/friends and supporting the fight against breast cancer with Komen for the Cure. Now that’s what I call a day at the ballpark!”

On Mother’s Day (May 9), Major League Baseball and its Clubs, along with Komen for the Cure, will celebrate the Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer initiative, which is designed to raise awareness about the breast cancer cause, while also raising funds to support breast cancer research.

     “The stories of these breast cancer survivors and their families are so inspiring and compelling – they provide an opportunity for all of us to truly understand the impact of breast cancer and the urgency we feel

at Komen to end this disease forever,” said Katrina McGhee, Senior Vice President, Global Business Development and Partnerships, Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “Programs like this help Komen provide education, screening and direct help for women and men in our hometowns, while also funding the global research that is leading us to cures for breast cancer.”

     In 2009, Komen provided funds for almost 500,000 breast screenings and for treatment and support programs in 1,900 communities nationwide and around the world, along with funding more than $60 million in research.

Hundreds of MLB players will use pink bats by Louisville Slugger, the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, stamped with the MLB breast cancer logo. To further demonstrate their support for the breast cancer cause, players and on-field personnel will wear the symbolic pink ribbon on their uniforms along with pink wrist bands. Commemorative dugout lineup cards also will be pink. In addition to promotional support, Major League Baseball Charities has committed $50,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Game-used Louisville Slugger pink bats will be auctioned off at MLB.com at a later date to raise additional funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Fans can purchase their own personalized pink bat at www.mlb.com or www.slugger.com, with $10 from the sale of each pink bat benefitting Komen for the Cure.

Major League Baseball Health Initiatives
The Mother's Day Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer program is one of several cancer-related initiatives supported by Major League Baseball. Other initiatives include Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), whose mission is to support the groundbreaking scientific research aimed at getting new cancer treatments to patients in an accelerated timeframe; the Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge which helps increase awareness of prostate cancer and raise money for the search for a cure as part of Major League Baseball Father’s Day activities; and Play Sun Smart, a league-wide, season-long skin cancer awareness program in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Association and the American Academy of Dermatology.

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About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested nearly $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

FOR THE CURE®

The following is a release from MLB:

 

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE®

LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO FIND “HONORARY BAT GIRL” FOR EACH CLUB

MLB Fans Have the Opportunity to Share Inspirational Experiences in

Their Fight Against Breast Cancer

 

Major League Baseball (MLB) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® have collaborated to launch a search to find an “Honorary Bat Girl” for each Club in celebration of Mother’s Day in stadiums around the country.  Lasting until May 1, MLB.com will host a contest providing fans an opportunity to share stories of “going to bat” against breast cancer in their daily lives.  The initiative is aimed to raise additional awareness and support for the annual ‘Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer’ program, a joint partnership between MLB and Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization.  Winners will be selected on May 1 by a celebrity panel consisting of MLB Network’s Mitch Williams and Dan Plesac, New York Yankees OF/1B Nick Swisher, Houston Astros 1B Lance Berkman and Baltimore Orioles OF Nick Markakis.  Men and women 18 and older can submit stories and vote for their favorites on www.mlb.com/honorarybatgirl.

          During the registration period, Baseball fans can share their stories of inspiration and hope of how they are supporting the fight against breast cancer in their daily lives and why they want to be an “Honorary Bat Girl” for their MLB home team.  Testimonials can be submitted by breast cancer survivors, advocates or supporters of the cause. 

          “Major League Baseball is excited to launch this new campaign recognizing the incredible lives of our fans who are leading the fight against breast cancer,” said Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business, Major League Baseball.  “It is an honor to expand our partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  We are committed to using the popularity of Major League Baseball to help Komen raise funds and awareness for this important cause.”

On Mother's Day (May 10, 2009), Major League Baseball players will wear pink wristbands and the symbolic pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness will be displayed on player uniforms, as well as on all on-field personnel. Additionally, Louisville Slugger, the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, has produced pink bats stamped with the MLB breast cancer logo, which will be available for players’ use on Mother's Day weekend.  In addition, dugout lineup cards will be pink. The Louisville Slugger pink bats will be auctioned off at a later date to raise additional funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Several players will individually represent their teams on Mother’s Day, and most have personally experienced the effects breast cancer (and other cancers) have had on their families.  These players include Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim P Jered Weaver (mother survived breast cancer), Berkman (aunt survived breast cancer), Markakis (mother survived breast cancer) and Los Angeles Dodgers P Jason Schmidt (mother passed away from brain cancer). 

“Major League Baseball’s partnership and support over the years has been a vital part in enabling us to move forward in our promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever,” said Katrina McGhee, Vice Rresident, Global Partnerships at Komen for the Cure. “The introduction of Honorary Bat Girls is exciting because the passion and the personal stories of breast cancer advocates are what keep us going.”

          Prior to each Mother’s Day game, each “Honorary Bat Girl” will be invited to participate in pre-game on-field activities, will be publicly recognized during an on-field ceremony, will receive a ticket to the game and will be given special baseball pink product.  All 30 Clubs will be represented in this initiative—visiting teams on Mother’s Day will select another date in May to honor their “Honorary Bat Girl.” 

          The celebrity panel consisting of MLB players and MLB Network talent will select each “Honorary Bat Girl.”  New York Yankees 1B/OF Nick Swisher is an advocate of fighting all forms of cancer.  In 2007, Swisher grew his hair out to donate it to create free wigs for women dealing with hair loss from cancer treatment.  Today, Swisher continues to participate in the on-field activities of MLB’s “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer.”  MLB Network analyst Mitch Williams’ mother survived breast cancer and he is still involved in helping charities associated with the disease.  MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac’s mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. 

 

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested more than $1.3 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

 

Major League Baseball Health Initiatives
The Mother's Day “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer” program is one of several cancer-related initiatives supported by Major League Baseball. Other partnerships include Stand Up To Cancer, an innovative charitable campaign designed to raise philanthropic monies for accelerating ground-breaking research; the Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge which helps increase awareness of prostate cancer and raise money towards the search for a cure as part of Major League Baseball Father's Day activities; the Commissioner's Initiative for Kids supports the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation; and Play Smart When it Comes to the Sun, a league-wide, season-long skin cancer awareness program in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Association and the American Academy of Dermatology.

###

Contact:     Matt Bourne or Steven Arocho, Major League Baseball, (212) 931-7878

 

Random March Madness

Pitt was doing well enough in the tournament, I did not want to jinx them with my posting.  Call it my superstitious side, call it the baseball player in me reemerging.  Call it whatever you will, I had to step back from the keyboard for a couple days, and they won both.  The old rule, don't mess with a streak.

Unfortunately, I am back now.  On to the Madness...Random that is:

How's this for a 180:

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Jack Wilson have begun discussions for a contract extension.  Apparently Wilson has initiated the discussions.

BTW Take:

Did I miss something?  For the last few years Wilson has been making statements on how he would retire after his contract was up.  Now he is initiating discussions for an extension?  Personally, I would be a little annoyed with Wilson.  He has basically undermined trade discussions with his talk of retirement.  Now he wants to continue playing.  I can't blame the guy for wanting to stay in Pittsburgh, it is a great city to live in and I miss it dearly. 

Could there be more to it?

Might Wilson be looking at the team as actually being close in the next couple years?  Might he be showing faith in the direction Huntington is going?  Considering how well the rotation has done this spring.  Considering the stars of the Pirates future (McCutchen, Tabata, Alvarez) are very close.  Thinking Andy LaRoche is ready to show what he can do.  Might all those things add up to Wilson having faith in the direction?  Might he see an end to the humiliation, and end to the streak?

Maybe?  Or Jack is full of it and just wants another payday.  You decide.

 

WBC Should Be WBC:

I have an idea for the World Baseball Classic.  Change the name.  It should be the World Baseball Championship.  I want to see a true world champion determined.  No more of this country versus country crap.  Let's abbreviate it and take league champion versus league champion.  I want to see a true World Champion named.  MLB fans could cheer on their representative, Japanese League fans root for their representative.  I want to see who is the best of the best.  Make it a yearly event.  Make a true World Champion!

 

Rumor Update:

My last post was on a rumor of the Pirates hunting for someone for the rotation.  The next day the Ohman rumors started kicking up again.  Now they can be tied together.  If the Pirates can land Ohman, they will be trying to move Burnett to land a fifth starter off the waiver wire heap.  There are going to be quite a few casualties of the 25 man roster in coming days, the Pirates are scouring the wire for a target.

As a side note, I have heard Walkers name in some rumors surrounding the starting rotation, as trade bait not a position switch.

 

Wily Mo No Mo':

The Nationals released Wily Mo Pena.  Please Neal Huntington, look away from the shiny object like Wily Mo looks away from the ball on defense.

 

McCutchen, Tabata, Alvarez:

This spring, all three have shown they are nearly ready.  Look for Alvarez to finish the year in Indianapolis, he should fly through the system in quick order.  Tabata and McCutchen should be in Pittsburgh and soon. 

 

Left Field:

While Nyger Morgan is a fun and energetic guy, he does not belong on a MLB roster at this time.  It is a certainty that McCutchen will not be starting in left to start the season, more of a business of baseball thing than a baseball decision.  This leaves a few candidates for the starting job: Monroe, Salazar, Jones and Hinske.  A platoon may be in order for Monroe and Hinske.  But my money, if I were to bet, is still on Salazar.  Salazar can play better D than either Monroe or Hinske and is no slouch with the bat either.  Jones is the wildcard, I have liked what I have seen of him and he just seems to have that little something extra.  That something that it is hard to put a finger on.

 

Fifth Of Starter:

Ohlendorf has locked up the fourth starter sot in the rotation.  As mentioned earlier, the front office is not happy with the competition for the fifth starter spot and are looking to fill from outside the franchise. 

 

Jaramillo:

It was made official, Jaramillo was named backup to Doumit.  Diaz was sent to Indy.  I look at this more along the lines of wanting to get the better all around guy some more playing time.  Jaramillo is obviously better with a glove and arm, but Diaz has impressed with the bat.  If Doumit goes down for an extended period, look for Diaz to get called up and step into the starter role.

 

BTW:

It is great to be back writing again, I wish my superstition would have won Pitt the championship.  Anyhow, Jon with his beast of the east entry is leading a pitiful pack of prognosticators in the BTW Bracket Challenge.  It is not a pretty sight.

 

In my Sportsocrocy  Mock Celebrity Bracket, I still have a good chance of winning.  I need a win out of Michigan St and North Carolina today and it is nearly locked up.

Looking Ahead Is Interesting

The Pirates web site is running an article about Brian Bixler, Perry Hill calls him the most improved player on the team.  Hill has worked with Bixler this spring on getting into better position and shortening his arm movement on throws.  From what little I have seen of Bixler this spring, he is starting to look like the guy I saw in college games.

When the Pirates drafted him in the second round, I was quite happy.  I have always though he was the better prospect between he and Brent Lillibridge who was traded in the Adam LaRoche deal.

I have had discussions at The Buccos Forum about whether Bixler would be a good MLB shortstop.  I say he will be, most players struggle on their first trip to the majors.  One of the responses I received was that is true with the bat, but it shouldn’t be with the glove.

While that is somewhat true, Bixler developed some bad habits since turning pro.  Somewhere he picked up the idea it was better to get rid of the ball quick rather than having the good form he showed in college.  That bad habit led to many throws with his weight on his back foot, causing the ball to sail, thus so many throwing errors.

Reading the article had me thinking about what the Pirates may look like towards the end of 2009, especially after September call-ups.  Barring injury, the entire infield could have a distinctly different look as well as an overhaul in the outfield. 

Bixler and Ford could be playing up the middle. 

Pearce could be manning first, or Andy could be moved across the diamond to take the place of big brother.

Walker or Alvarez could be playing third, or either may have a first baseman's mitt on.   I fully expect Alvarez to destroy A ball pitching and be in Altoona quickly.  The way he has looked this spring, he could make Indy by July.

Tabata and McCutchen could be manning the corners in the outfield.

Bottom line, by the end of 2009, we could be seeing the Pirates team for the next three or more years taking the field.

That makes this 2009 season even more interesting in my book.

Which lead to the poll on the right asking, “Which Pirate will be the first to be traded?”

 

BTW March Madness:

The time is coming for March Madness. As in past years, BTW is running a March Madness Pool. I am working on a gift certificate deal that will go to the winner of the bracket.  More details to come, but it will be at least a $20 gift certificate if things pan out.  Join other BTW readers, The Buccos Forum regulars and random bloggers from around the interweb in an intense battle for March Madness Supremacy!!!

Here is the Link:

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_te...

IF it requests a password: pirates

BTW Bracket

BTW March Madness:

The time is coming for March Madness. As in past years, I will be running a March Madness Pool. If there is a prize, it is yet to be determined. Plan on joining other BTW readers, The Buccos Forum regulars and random bloggers from around the interweb in an intense battle for March Madness Supremacy!!!



Here is the Link:

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=59773&P=pirates



IF it requests a password: pirates


BTW Apology:
Sorry for the lack of posts the last couple days, work has had me tied up and the trade deadline in Fed League is tonight. Back to normal posting later tonight.

Random Spring Madness

Beating the rush to March Madness, I am going to run with some Random Madness...

Starting Rotation:

Right now, the starting rotation looks to have 4 members in Maholm, Snell, Ohlendorf and Duke.  The 5th starter is a pretty ugly battle, but one that Dan McCutchen may be winning.  He has been far from dominant, but he has limited the hits and performed at an adequate rate for a 5th starter.  While his 5.40 ERA is nothing to be proud of, he is showing more than Karstens or Gorzelanny.  Barthmaier has all but sealed a trip to Indianapolis.

The telltale of the whole 5th starter battle should clear up in the coming weeks, whoever gets the bulk of the innings among McCutchen, Gorzelanny and Karstens in the coming weeks will be the winner of the battle. 

Regardless of the winner, when Dumatrait is deemed healthy and his arm strength is back, look for him to step into the rotation immediately unless one of the three start to show something near adequate value.  I'd expect at least one game in the next two weeks to showcase all three pitching.

Then there is always Pedro, Martinez not Alvarez.

Houston, We Have A Problem:

Houston is 1-11 in spring ball.  The question here is simple.  How bad will they be in 2009?  From all reports across the land, they are looking to shed salary and have a farm system that would make Dave Littlefield proud.

If they simply do salary dumps, they could be headed towards breaking the Pirate soon to be record for losing seasons.  There is not much help on the way either.  If they can rebuild the farm with trades of their current talent, the Pirates record will be safe.  I am interested in seeing if they pull a Aramis Ramirez style trade for Lee, or if they hold out for talent in return.

It should make for an interesting start to the season if the Astros dump players.

BTW March Madness:

The time is coming for March Madness.  As in past years, I will be running a March Madness Pool.  If there is a prize, it is yet to be determined, I will have the info up when the link is posted.  I will have the link up in a couple days, or sooner if I find time tonight.  Plan on joining other BTW readers, The Buccos Forum regulars and random bloggers from around the interweb in an intense battle for March Madness Supremacy!!!

 

Here is the Link:

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=59773&P=pirates

 

IF it requests a password: pirates

 

More info coming.

Contest Rules and Prize

In a transparent attempt to jump start the BTW Forum, I am offering up possibly the ugliest bobble head ever. I am offering up The Bob Walk Bobble Head given out the same night as the 1st Pirates Fans For Change Green Shirt Protest.

You may ask, "How could I win such a valuable prize?"

I will answer, "Simply join the forum and post like crazy."

I will set up a reader poll with the top posters and anyone who submits posts that are nominated by another user. Also, the creators of the most read and most replied to threads will be included as nominees.

Voting will take place between April 1st and April 21st, 2008. The winner will be announced after the poll closes. I will contact the winner via email for shipping info. The winner will also earn the title "BTW Idol 2008".

Register for the forum here:
http://forum.bucstradewinds.net/index.cgi?action=register

Happy 1st Anniversary

December 27th was the one year anniversary of Bucs Trade Winds.  It also happened to be a day without Internet.

 

Another event from the 27th was the 25,000 unique visit to the site since I set up the counter.

 

I want to thank everyone who comes here regularly to check my little blog, it really floors me that hundreds of people a day are willing to listen to, actually read, the ramblings of little old me.  One of my new years resolutions is to get to know the people who read here a little better.  I am hoping to make this blog, and the whole BTW collection of sites, more interactive.

 

One thing I enjoy is seeing feedback from the readers.  People like Eric, Bill and Buzzman77 (the secret is safe), and many others who have emailed me or left comments, I really appreciate the input.  Shay, I am looking for that second post in the forum.

 

Thank you everyone.  Here is to wishing you and yours the safest in the upcoming New Year. 

 

Now if we could only see 82 wins.  Neal, get cracking on this pronto.

 

BTW, I am still looking for that billionaire to gift me a few million dollars so I could do this little hobby full time.  Any takers?  :)  Heck, I am easy, I might even make one nice post about the Nuttings if one the Nuttings were to send the gift.  Hey, I'm easy, not cheap.

 

Once again, thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy.

 

Teaser:

I have a little contest that is coming up, I will announce the details New Years Day, let's just say it has to do with the forum, number of posts and whatever else I can come up with as criteria.   I am thinking about doing a little "BTW Forum Idol" or something by having the readers vote for the winners type of thing.   The winner will be announce April 1st.   Trust me there is no better day for this prize. 

 

At any rate, sign up for the forum now to get a head start on the competition.

BTW Bracket Buster Contest Winner

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

To celebrate opening day Cory from The Pittsburgh Lumber Co schooled the field in correctly calling Florida over Ohio St in the NCAA Tournament.

Cory please email me your hat selection and shipping address, and the order will be placed.

Congratulations Cory.

Links and Bracket Standings

From The BTW Bracket Buster Contest, Doug a.k.a. Chi-Town Bucco leads the way into the Sweet 16. I am hanging out in the 4 slot to win a hat from myself?

In the Sportsocracy Pool I am sticking to the perfect plan. I am ranked 16 going into the Sweet 16. By plan I should be 8 entering the Elite 8, 4th for the Final 4, 2nd for the Finals. Okay, it is official, I know about as much about basketball as Dave Littlefield knows about being a general manager.

I have a post up at CGBB previewing the upcoming season for the Pirates, you may have already read it here. Chad has asked bloggers to preview their teams going into the season, some interesting thoughts from around the league. There are some really good articles on the site, not sure how I fit in there. Check it out.

Bracket Buster Update

Wvkeeper was the sole leader after round 1, so as a booby prize, he gets mentioned in the blog.

Halfway through round two, WV has maintained his lead...for now. Notre Dame, being his selection to the final four, will be his downfall from the top spot.

To see the standings, visit http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/men/group/35125

Last Chance to Sign Up for BTW Bracket Buster

Last Chance! Last Reminder!

BTW is sponsoring it's own Bracket contest. IF we can have at least 25 individuals in the contest, I will put up a brand new Pirates hat as the payoff for tournament picking excellence.

If you are interested in joining, here is the info:

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com
Group ID# (35125)
Password (romulo!)

And here are the hats the winner has to chose from (provided they are not discontinued before the winner is crowned):

Bracket Buster Ready to Pick

Tournament Bracket time is here! Let the Madness begin!

BTW is sponsoring it's own Bracket contest. IF we can have at least 25 individuals in the contest, I will put up a brand new Pirates hat as the payoff for tournament picking excellence.

If you are interested in joining, here is the info:

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com
Group ID# (35125)
Password (romulo!)

And here are the hats the winner has to chose from (provided they are not discontinued before the winner is crowned):

BTW Bracket Buster Contest

Tournament Bracket time is coming up. BTW is sponsoring it's own Bracket contest. IF we can have at least 25 individuals in the contest, I will put up a brand new Pirates hat as the payoff for tournament picking excellence.

If you are interested in joining, here is the info:

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com
Group ID# (35125)
Password (romulo!)

And here are the hats the winner has to chose from (provided they are not discontinued before the winner is crowned):