CURT SCHILLING TO PITCH FOR ALSA IN THE FIGHT AGAINST LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE MAY 18-19

"Covering All the Bases With ALSA" Teams Baseball Great With Fans for a Winning Cause

World Series co-MVP Curt Schilling will be pitching for another team this spring - The ALS Association (ALSA). Schilling will still be on the mound for the World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks, but he and his wife Shonda will also be teaming with ALSA to raise awareness and dollars to help those living with the disease and those searching for a cure. With fan support during Covering All the Bases with ALSA weekend May 18-19, every home run hit will result in a contribution to support the work of The ALS Association.

"Over the past eight years I've met many ALS patients and their families," Schilling said. "I've learned that ALS can strike anyone. The emotional and physical toll is devastating to the whole family. By pledging financial support for every home run hit during Covering All the Bases weekend, fans can help The ALS Association find a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease and help provide services for those battling ALS.

"Beginning in April, fans will be able to log onto a special Covering All the Bases with ALSA section of www.alsa.org. On the site, they will be able to show their support for ALSA by making a financial pledge for every home run hit May 18-19 or by purchasing Covering All the Bases gear. On average, Major League Baseball clubs collectively hit 32 home runs a day when all teams are in action (or 64 home runs each weekend). A 50-cent pledge per homer could result in a donation of $32 during Covering All the Bases weekend. Funds raised will be used to support ALS research and the activities of ALSA's local chapters nationwide.

"At any given time in the United States as many as 30,000 Americans are battling ALS," explained Michael Havlicek, president of The ALS Association. "ALSA is the only organization to cover all the bases in the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease through research, patient services, education, and advocacy. We're fortunate to have the support of the Schillings, along with baseball fans everywhere, to help us fund world class research and support for patients and their families."

The Schillings are long-time supporters of ALSA, beginning in Philadelphia in 1992. Schilling, then a pitcher for the Phillies, became aware of ALS through the team's active support of ALSA's Greater Philadelphia Chapter. "Shonda and I knew about Lou Gehrig's disease before I joined the Phillies," Schilling recalls, "but through my work with The ALS Association I met patients and their families. That personal interaction compelled us to do more." Over the past ten years, the Schillings have helped raise more than $3 million to aid ALS research and ALSA services. They remain active with ALSA's Philadelphia Chapter and have also become important supporters of ALSA's Arizona Chapter.

Schilling was honored as the Phi Delta Theta's Lou Gehrig Award winner in 1996, presented annually to the major league player who best exemplifies the giving character of the Hall of Famer and fraternity member Lou Gehrig. He was the recipient of the 2001 Roberto Clemente and Branch Rickey Awards, baseball's esteemed community service honors, in recognition for his work in the fight against ALS. Schilling was also named the 2000 winner of the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Humanitarian Award for his work with ALSA.

In November, The ALS Association named Shonda Schilling the 2001 recipient of the Lawrence A. Rand Prize for her commitment to the fight against ALS. Shonda is an active member of the Board of Directors of both the ALSA Greater Philadelphia and Arizona Chapters.

"As a pitcher, I never like to see baseballs leave the park," Schilling said. "But during Covering All the Bases weekend, I know those home runs will help ALSA continue its work to provide help and hope to those facing Lou Gehrig's disease."