DETROIT/March 7, 2011 – With baseball season right around the corner, Comerica Bank is searching for a team of deserving high school all stars whose baseball or softball program could use a little change-up. The bank is offering a $10,000 Grand Slam Grant to create, expand or improve a high school baseball or softball program in metro Detroit. 

In addition to the grant, the selected school will also receive 100 pavilion tickets, 20 outfield box tickets and 18 suite tickets to the Detroit Tigers opening weekend game on April 9, 2011. The grant recipient will be recognized on the field prior to the game, and a school representative will have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch.

Public high schools in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lenawee and Washtenaw counties are eligible to apply for the Grand Slam Grant. The funds could be used for field improvements, equipment, training camps, or other baseball or softball-related expenses. 

"The Grand Slam Grant is meant to encourage physical activity and foster athletic excellence in the metro Detroit communities Comerica serves," said Thomas D. Ogden, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. "With so many schools cutting baseball and softball budgets, we felt this was a way to ensure deserving kids have the tools they need to enjoy America’s favorite pastime the way it was meant to be played.”

Applications are available for download at www.Comerica.com/GrandSlamGrant.  Completed applications, including supporting images if desired, must be emailed to grandslamgrant@comerica.com by no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 24. Winners will be notified by April 5 and recognized at Comerica Park on April 9.

Grant applications will be reviewed for a variety of factors including overall need, creativity, and school and community impact. The grant recipient will be selected by the Comerica Bank Grand Slam Grant Selection Committee, consisting of representatives from Comerica Bank and the Detroit Tigers. The selected school must agree to attend the check presentation at Comerica Park on April 9, 2011, where the grant recipient will be announced to the public.

Comerica Bank, with 217 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated. Comerica is making a $17 million investment in Detroit with the renovation of its building at 411 W. Lafayette, which will be renamed Comerica Bank Center and become the bank’s Michigan Market headquarters in 2012. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to http://www.comerica.com/newsalerts

Media Contact:
Kathleen A. Pitton
313-584-4523
kapitton@comerica.com