R. Paniagua Inc. presents LatinBaseball.com Urban initiative.

R. Paniagua Inc., the Latino media content provider and media-leveraged special events marketing firm, announced two unique urban baseball programs in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month 2007.

RPI, publisher of Latinobaseball.com, will produce its signature big league baseball event, Hispanic Heritage Day at the Ballpark in six stadiums including Miami, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston throughout the month of September.

Now in its 14th year of celebrating the legacy of Latinos in big league baseball, RPI has enhanced the program by allowing fans to vote for their favorite local player online, and designing an Urban Youth initiative that will distribute much needed baseball equipment to 200 teams in the Top 4 US Hispanic markets.

“RPI consistently delivers relevant cultural promotions that deliver results to corporate sponsors and value to the community,” said Ralph Paniagua, President of R. Paniagua Inc., publishers of Latinbaseball.com. “Now that our events and media properties have come of age, and the Latino contribution to baseball has surpassed all expectations and still continues to grow, the timing to introduce this multifaceted program is right on schedule. And in 2008 we will add an educational component.” Paniagua concluded.

RPI has enlisted the support of Miami-based Hispanic marketing agency BVK/Meka to develop an Urban Youth Baseball Initiative in four top US Hispanic markets for one of this agency’s top clients. The initiative will provide baseball equipment bags to 200 youth baseball teams (Ages 12-13), selected by their local big league franchise in each of four major U.S. Hispanic market cities. Each bag will contain 3 wooden bats, 1 dozen baseballs and 15 gloves for 12-13 year olds. Teams not selected can log on at the site for their chance to receive the custom made equipment bag.

“At BVK we know that for Latinos, baseball is an important part of our lifestyles, our psyches, our dreams and motivation. We are proud to help our client participate in a program that keeps the dreams in our youth flourishing and promotes team play in inner-city Latino USA,” said Gonzalo Gonzalez, Managing Director of BVK/Meka.