DETROIT, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The baseball and softball teams at Cass Technical High School will take the field this season with an extra $10,000, thanks to Comerica Bank. Representatives from Comerica Bank and the Detroit Tigers surprised students at a special assembly today with the news that they had been selected as the southeast Michigan recipient of Comerica Bank's $10,000 Grand Slam Grant. The team will be recognized during a ceremony on the field at Comerica Park on Saturday, April 6.

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Detroit Tigers mascot PAWS, the DTE Energy Squad, DJ Kenny Valentino and Fox Sports Detroit celebrity emcee Shannon Hogan were on hand to provide entertainment for the students during the surprise assembly. The students also received a congratulatory video message from Detroit Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks, who served as the Tigers celebrity guest judge on the Comerica Bank Grand Slam Grant selection committee.

"Cass Technical High School's Grand Slam Grant application not only demonstrated a real need for support, but also a dedication and passion toward the growth, development and improvement of student athletes," said Thomas D. Ogden, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. "Comerica Bank is a proud supporter of this team's plan to secure much-needed equipment and uniforms and to increase participation in youth baseball and softball programs, which will prove to be a great value to the students, the community and our future all-stars."

In addition to the $10,000 grant, Cass Tech High School will receive 60 tickets to see the Detroit Tigers take on the New York Yankees on April 6, where Coach Julie Schneider will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The Comerica Bank Grand Slam Grant program was created in 2011 to help public high schools in Michigan create, expand or improve a baseball or softball program. Past winners include Kalamazoo Central High School, Lincoln Park High School and Detroit Renaissance High School. The Cass Tech baseball and softball teams were chosen out of more than 60 schools that applied for this year's grant program.

Comerica Bank, with 216 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated. Founded in Detroit in 1849, Comerica continues to invest in Michigan. Comerica's $17 million renovation of its building at 411 W. Lafayette in Detroit was completed last year and the renamed Comerica Bank Center is now the bank's Michigan Market headquarters. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow us on Twitter at @ComericaCares.

SOURCE Comerica Bank