MLB pitches greener future for Earth Day

From the first MLB All-Star Game to be played under energy-efficient LED lights to the Cardinals’ seventh annual Green Week to those 100-percent recycled MLB by SustainU T-shirts just added to the MLB.com Shop, Major League Baseball brings a smaller carbon footprint and a larger environmental intelligence to Friday’s 46th annual Earth Day festivities.

The largest civic observance in the world, first held in 1970, is an increasingly symbolic way of life for most people due to today’s threat of climate change — and that includes MLB. At the Paris Climate Summit last December, 195 nations reached a landmark accord that commits nearly every country to lower planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

Go to indians.com/green to see some helpful tips on how you can make a positive difference on Earth Day and every day, and take a look at these examples of what clubs are doing around MLB:

• The Red Sox got the ball rolling on Thursday by making their homestand finale against the Rays a carbon neutral game. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh threw a special Planet Earth baseball for the first pitch, and the pregame ceremony featured many leaders and partners who are part of the city’s effort to reduce Boston’s greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020.

To achieve a zero carbon footprint for the game, the Red Sox announced they would purchase renewable energy credits to offset all emissions generated from the game, including electric and gas consumption, waste disposal, and fan, employee and player transportation. Even as the team then left for its road trip, the Red Sox planned to host the Greenovate Boston awards ceremony at Fenway Park on Friday, honoring citizens with the best environmental-protection ideas.

• In Kansas City, the Royals open a series against the Orioles in a setting that shows ongoing environment stewardship. During select games throughout the season at Kauffman Stadium, local organizations and volunteers who sign up to be a part of the Royals Green Team, sponsored by Republic Services, will help collect aluminum and recyclable plastics at the stadium gates, as well as throughout multiple innings of the game.

• Although the Cardinals are away this Earth Day, their traditional observance will go on with the seventh annual Green Week (#4AGreenerGame) April 29 through May 3, featuring activities designed to promote recycling, both inside and outside of Busch Stadium. The club will begin the festivities Friday by hosting an electronics recycling and general donations drive in collaboration with MERS/Goodwill.

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