La Jolla, CA--With Congressional hearings focusing on steroid abuse in Major League Baseball and even elite pitchers and sluggers facing serious allegations, 2K Sports, maker of the upcoming MLB 2K8 game, and the Major League Baseball Players Association, set aside time to raise over $200,000 for the Players Trust charities. At the annual Players Trust Golf Tournament, which was held at Torrey Pines Golf Club, the site of the 2008 US Open, over 30 MLB stars past and present, including Ken Griffey Jr., Ryan Howard and Ozzie Smith, golfed for charity.

2K Sports had both MLB 2K7 and The Bigs set up on Xbox 360 and Wii in the hospitality suite to allow the pros to check out last year's baseball video game offerings. 2K Sports also had a number of executives on hand to spend time golfing and continuing the exclusive third-party publisher relationship that the sports company signed with Major League Baseball and the MLBPA a few years ago. Mike Rhinehart, senior Marketing Manager at 2K Sports, talks about the role this event plays in the company's overall partnership with the MLBPA.

GameDaily BIZ: Can you talk about when 2K Sports became involved in this event and what role it plays within the baseball community?

Mike Rhinehart: 2K Sports was fortunate enough to first become involved with the MLB Players Trust Golf Tournament in 2006, and this is the third consecutive year we have been co-sponsors of the event. This fundraiser plays a critical role in the baseball community because it's a one-of-a-kind initiative where baseball players get together and rally to raise funds for the players' collective charity. The Trust donates to more than 120 charities each year, and along with helping thousands of people in need, proceeds from the golf tournament benefit the Trust's many programs, from purchasing life-saving medicines in the Dominican Republic to inspiring and training the next generation of volunteers through the Action Team.

BIZ: Can you break down what your involvement is with this event? How does sponsorship help with the semi-exclusive MLB deal 2K Sports has?

MR: 2K Sports is a co-sponsor of the event; however, we truly look at this as a way to partner up with Major League Baseball's most giving players and make a difference in lives of thousands of kids and their families. While there is no direct relationship between this sponsorship and our partnership with the MLB, 2K Sports does feel that in being a part of this event we further entrench ourselves with the MLBPA and their players' charitable initiatives.

BIZ: I saw you had The Bigs and MLB 2K7 in the hospitality suite. Can you talk about how your baseball games benefit from an event like this?
MR: We set up our 2K Sports baseball games each year so the players can engage in some off-season competition on the system of their choice, and we also appreciate getting their feedback on the games as well. Interestingly, Ken Griffey Jr. was rumored to have entered the hospitality suite at 4am on Thursday morning just to set up the Nintendo Wii and play The Bigs. There's nothing better than watching all of the greatest baseball players in a room get into it with one of our 2K Sports MLB titles.

BIZ: How popular is gaming amongst MLB players? (I know 85 percent of NBA players play video games.)

MR: I wouldn't be surprised if the figure was the same or even higher for baseball players. One thing I have learned from being involved in sports gaming for almost a decade is that professional athletes take any competition very seriously. Video games give athletes another medium for them to compete with each other on, and it's as simple as that. It's rare that a week passes between calls from baseball players asking for 2K Sports games, some tips or tricks on a game, or more often at this time of year to make sure their ratings in Major League Baseball 2K8 will be high enough. This happens on game days even!

BIZ: Can you talk about the caliber of players that attend this event?

MR: I am surprised each year who shows up to participate in the Players Trust Golf Tournament. Roughly 30 players attended this year including Ken Griffey, Jr., Ryan Howard, Kenny Lofton, Royce Clayton, Josh Barfield, Jacques Jones, Hall of Famers Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield, Ozzie Smith, Paul Molitor and Eddie Murray, along with representatives from the MLBPA. It truly shows how big each player's heart is and that they truly believe they can make a difference by attending events like this regardless if they are an up-and-comer or an established name.

BIZ: Is this sponsorship a long-term thing? Will there be additional years for this charity?

MR: To quote my co-workers from 2K Sports, "This event is the greatest three days of my life!" That said, I hope this is something we can continue to support and be a part of year-in and year-out. It is great to be a part of something that supports a great cause, but is probably one of the most intimate and fun settings to interact with many of baseball's greatest players.

BIZ: Who attended this event from 2K Sports?

MR: 2K Sports strives to bring in everyone that is directly involved with the marketing, sales, licensing and development of our MLB franchises.