MIAMI - The Florida Marlins today introduced the ?All-Heart Spotlight Player of the Month,? in conjunction with the team?s All-Heart Award. Each month throughout the 2005 season, the Marlins will spotlight one player for his community service that month. Since 2000, the Marlins All-Heart Award has been awarded annually to one player who best exemplifies the team?s commitment to the South Florida community by making a positive impact and serving as a role model for all other citizens. Fans can participate in naming the 2005 winner by casting their vote for who they think is most deserving of the 2005 All-Heart Award by visiting the community section at www.floridamarlins.com.

 

Dontrelle Willis is the Marlins Spotlight Player of the Month for May. Willis, named the NL Pitcher of the Month for April, recently established the Dontrelle Willis Mini-Marlins Tee Ball League, consisting of a team from eight city parks in Miami (Armbrister, Clemente, Duarte, Gibson, Hadley, Jose Marti, Range, Williams). The teams play doubleheaders every Saturday through the end of May. Willis, who donated $5,000 to cover the cost of uniforms and umpires for the league, is providing tickets for the entire league to attend the Marlins vs. Mets game on May 28. Tee-ball players will then have the opportunity to meet Dontrelle prior to the game.

 

Willis? involvement in the South Florida community has developed continually since his arrival to the Majors. The 23-year-old California native has been an exemplar participant of numerous Marlins community events including: Marlins@School program, Marlins fundraising events and grant programs, as well as official autograph sessions. He also serves as an official spokesperson of the Boys and Girls Club of America.

JP is going to be a perrenial winner of this new award.