VIERA, Fla. --- In lieu of recent events regarding the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill of the Gulf Coast of the United States, the Brevard County Manatees have announced that the club will be officially changing the name of "batting practice" or "BP" for short to "hitting rehearsal".

"As an organization we feel that changing the term 'batting practice' and 'BP' to 'hitting rehearsal' shows that we are deeply concerned and hurt by the disaster on the Gulf Coast," Manatees General Manager Kyle Smith said.

"We hope to send a message to the community that we are definitely worried with the pollution that is in the waters off the Gulf Coast and its potential impact on the beaches here in Brevard County."

The BP oil spill is now the largest offshore spill in United States history, surpassing the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. Approximately 12,000 to 19,000 gallons of oil a day are being spilled into the Gulf of Mexico.