Mazda to Sponsor Japanese Pro Baseball's 2010 All-Star Games

HIROSHIMA - May 18, 2010: Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that for the third year running it will be the main sponsor for two all-star games organized by the Nippon Professional Baseball Association in Japan.

The Mazda all-star games 2010 will be played at the Fukuoka Yahoo! JAPAN Dome on July 23 and at the HARD OFF ECO Stadium Niigata on July 24, 2010.

Why Mazda Will Sponsor These Games
Featuring team rosters comprised of marquee players from the Japanese pro baseball leagues, the all-star games have become a popular midsummer sporting event in Japan. Unlike the single all-star game held every year in the US by Major League Baseball, Japanese pro baseball all-stars play two or three games in different cities over a two or three days period.

In 2010, the all-star games will take place soon after the July 1 launch of the next-generation Mazda Premacy (known overseas as the Mazda5), a fun minivan for every member of the family. Sales of the four-wheel-drive (4WD) version will begin in early August. The all-new Premacy is equipped with Mazda’s i-stop system and other advanced eco-friendly technologies, which are wrapped up in a dynamic and elegant exterior design. It also features a functional and high-quality cabin – including multiple seat arrangements and available dual power sliding rear doors – and a smooth and sporty ride feel. Together, these attributes make the all-new Premacy kind to both families and the environment.

Mazda chose to continue its association with the all-star baseball games to support the launch of the all-new family-friendly Premacy and help re-energize families in Japan through the excitement and exhilaration of sport.

Event Details
An overview of the “Mazda All-Star Game 2010” events will be made in an official announcement from the event organizers on May 25, 2010.

Mazda will hold a variety of activities to support the all-star games. These activities include fan balloting for the all-star teams’ player selection, which begins in late May and continues through to the “Mazda All-Star Game 2010” days on July 23 and 24.