'PITCH' Campaign to Promote Employment of People with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, in cooperation with Major League Baseball, announced the launch of the PITCH (Proving Individuals with Talent Can Help) campaign to encourage businesses to hire individuals with disabilities. Former major league pitcher Jim Abbott will serve as the campaign's spokesman.
Abbott, born without a right hand, was an Olympic gold medalist in 1988. In 1993, while pitching for the New York Yankees, he tossed a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians. He pitched 10 seasons in the major leagues with the California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers.
"This is something that is very important to me," Abbott said. "I am honored to be working with the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. I will do all that I can to bring attention to this issue and encourage businesses to look towards people with disabilities when they are hiring for their team."