Patch Names Baseball Commissioner

Patch, AOL’s platform of over 850 hyperlocal news, information and engagement sites -- including Healdsburg and other Sonoma County Patch sites -- has appointed Mark Teixeira, four-time Gold Glove winner, as the Commissioner of Patch Baseball.  

The New York Yankees' first baseman and two-time All-Star will interact with Patch users by regularly responding to questions, sharing baseball tips, and posting exclusive videos. Teixeira will also offer young athletes advice on how to stay in shape and why healthful eating is so important for optimal performance.

“I live in a Patch town now and I keep tabs on my original hometown via the Patch site there, so I’ve seen the ways that Patch supports its communities,” commented Teixeira. “I’m excited to be a part of that by connecting with Patch users who have the same passion for baseball that I do. I’m eager to see what kinds of questions they toss my way!”

“Baseball is such an important part of so many of the communities we’re in -- and if something’s important to our users, it’s important to Patch,” said Rachel Feddersen, Chief Content Officer at Patch. “Mark is a great representative of what Patch stands for. We’re thrilled to offer this exclusive opportunity for our communities’ baseball players, from little leaguers to college prospects, to interact with this World Series champion.”

Patch has long been a supporter of local athletics, having sponsored over 100 teams and sporting events in Patch towns in its three-year history, including more than 60 little league teams.

Healdsburg Patch, launched in December 2010, has covered , and other youth and adults sports teams.

Launched in 2009, Patch more than tripled its UV traffic between December 2010 and December 2011, which made it the fourth largest regional/local property online at the time (comScore, January 2012). Patch is now in more than 850 communities in 22 states plus Washington, D.C.