“Break a Bat, Plant a Tree”

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Minnesota Twins and DNR celebrate “Break a Bat, Plant a Tree” success by planting first of thousands of trees
(Released August 16, 2010)


Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Bert Blyleven joined Forrest Boe, deputy director of Parks and Trails at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), for a tree planting ceremony on the Luce Line State Trail in Minneapolis on Friday, Aug. 13.

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The event celebrated the success of “Break a Bat, Plant a Tree,” a new partnership between the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota state parks and trails that promotes outdoor recreation and environmental responsibility.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Twins to raise awareness about forest restoration projects underway at Minnesota state parks and trails through the new Break a Bat, Plant a Tree program,” said Boe.

Every time a Twins pitcher breaks the bat of an opposing player during the 2010 season, Minnesota State Parks and Trails will plant 100 trees in one of the 73 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas or along one of the 21 Minnesota state trails.

As of Thursday, Aug. 12, 130 bats had been broken to make for 13,000 trees to be planted. The Twins expect to plant 16,000 to 20,000 new trees on Minnesota state parks and trails as a result of Break a Bat, Plant a Tree.

Blyleven and Boe planted the first ceremonial tree on the Luce Line State Trail, a 63-mile trail that runs from Plymouth to Hutchinson. It was built along a former railroad grade, so it’s generally flat and suitable for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The rest of the trees will be planted in the spring at a variety of park and trail sites yet to be determined.

“Minnesota state parks and trails are a treasure for residents of Twins Territory,” said Bert Blyleven, Twins alumnusand broadcaster of FOX Sports North. “This program is a unique chance for the Twins to reaffirm our commitment to environmental stewardship and help ensure our Minnesota state parks and trails remain healthy and vibrant. We’re thrilled to partner with Minnesota state parks and trails to repopulate our forests each time a Twins pitcher ‘saws off’ an opponent’s bat.”

View image of (L-R) Bert Blyleven, Forrest Boe and T.C. Bear masoct.