DETROIT, March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The softball team at Holland High School will take the field this season with an extra $10,000, thanks to the Comerica Bank. Representatives from Comerica Bank surprised students at a special assembly today with the news that they had been selected as the central/west 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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West Michigan Whitecaps mascot CRASH and celebrity emcee DJ Internio of 104.5 WSNX 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.

"Comerica Bank is proud to support one of Michigan's hometown teams, the hard working softball players from Holland High School," said Thomas D. Ogden, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. "The team's plan for field improvements and training camps will provide a great value to students, the community and these future all-stars."

In addition to the $10,000 grant, Holland High School will receive 60 tickets to the see the Detroit Tigers take on the New York Yankees on April 6, where Coach John Anderson 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 Holland High School softball team was 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