Teams to wear Stars & Stripes caps

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- For the fifth consecutive year, Minor League Baseball teams will honor America and help raise much-needed funds for a worthy cause this Independence Day holiday weekend by wearing specially designed "Stars & Stripes" caps from New Era Cap Company. A total of 113 teams will wear the specialty caps as part of fundraising and awareness initiatives for Welcome Back Veterans, an organization dedicated to addressing the ongoing needs of military personnel and their families.

Minor League Baseball, in conjunction with its licensing partner Major League Baseball Properties, will once again donate 100 percent of the proceeds from cap sales to Welcome Back Veterans as part of its contribution to the program. Since the program's inception in 2010, MiLB has contributed annually to the veterans' organization. The caps will have the American flag etched into a star behind the team's white primary logo, with red or blue crowns and the alternative on the brims and buttons. They can be purchased in team stores of participating teams, and online on some teams' websites.

"As Minor League Baseball fans gather this Fourth of July weekend to celebrate America's birthday, we will also take time to honor and thank all the members of our armed forces for their service to our country," said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O'Conner. "The Stars & Stripes cap program is one way we are showing our commitment to our military and an organization whose mission is to provide treatment to our veterans and their families. It's a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices they make every day."