Don't miss 2009 RBI Club speakers and programs -- or miss out on RBI Club charitable giving and activities this season -- as the Seattle Mariners gear up their rebuilding strategy in 2009.

Get an extra dose of 'real baseball involvement' and insights about the Mariners at monthly RBI Club events that will include luncheons, pre-game events, the annual spring training 'cactus closer' and much, much more... as the RBI Club marks its 28th year of support for professional baseball in Seattle.  Members and guests hear speakers from the Mariners and other baseball organizations who offer insight about professional baseball in Seattle and the major leagues.

The RBI Club meets nine times each year for a lunch or pre-game program at Safeco Field.  RBI Club members and their guests hear Mariners front office, field operations, journalists, players and former players provide 'real baseball insights'. In the name of each RBI Club speaker, in appreciation of their remarks, the club donates $500 in Mariner CARE tickets. Parking is free and lunch is reasonably priced. 

Since 1984, the RBI Club has purchased hundreds of Mariners CARE tickets, helped Mariner Wives charitable projects, written supportive letters to legislators and regulators, helped sell season tickets and suites, and served as business-community ambassadors for the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club.  

For the past 9 years, the RBI Club has supported the Rick Rizzs annual Toys For Kids Dinner/Auction that has raised more than $500,000.00 to put smiles on the faces of homeless and sick children during the holidays as well as Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Mariners Care to name just a few.  

 The RBI Club newsletter, BASELINES, and website www.SeattleMarinersRBI.com keep members informed about club activities and the availability of special Mariner ticket offers.   RBI Club membership is limited to 200 season ticket holders and -- for annual dues of $150 - members get real baseball involvement, insight.  Renew Today by clicking on the Membership form.

The idea for the RBI Club was born following the 1979 All-Star game in Seattle and was originally patterned after the Royal Lancers, volunteer sales group of the Kansas City Royals. The original six owners enthusiastically supported the program. Founders were Jay Porter, president of Unigard Insurance Co., as “Commissioner”, Virgil Fassio, publisher of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and the late Andy Smith, president of Pacific Northwest Bell, as two “League Presidents”.

The leaders “drafted” business executives into teams to personally sell season tickets. Continued membership (no dues) was based on selling success. This continued as the club’s primary mission, with limited success, through the George Argyros ownership years. When Jeff Smulyan bought the Mariners in 1989, the team concept was eliminated and direct selling was no longer a mission.  With diminishing ownership interest, the club virtually ceased to function in 1991.

With new, local ownership in 1992, the RBI Club was revived as a financially self-sustaining organization. Members, limited to 200 season ticket holders, or representative of a group owning tickets, each pay $150 annual dues and commits to club’s mission. Virgil Fassio was  “Commissioner” 1992 until mid-2006. Current commissioner Bob Simeone heads a 10-member board. Regular luncheons feature Mariners, management or other baseball-related speakers. “BASELINES”, features program coverage and membership news. Members receive at least one exclusive keepsake item each year. 

Considered today as among the top community support groups of major league organizations, the RBI Club has actively assisted the Mariners in achieving their objectives over the years.  Just one example: In the campaign to build a new stadium in 1995, the RBI Club contributed financially, members registered voters at the Kingdome and lobbied legislators and community leaders for support. 

For the past eight years, an RBI dinner/auction after the post season has raised over $510,000.00 to benefit “Toys for Kids”, a charity organized by Rick Rizzs, Dave Henderson and several Mariner players. A special feature is the “RBI Club “Moose” Clausen Award for Community Service”. Awardees were: Jamie  Moyer,  2001; Dan Wilson, 2002; Edgar Martinez, 2003; Jay Buhner,  2004; Rick Rizzs and Dave Henderson, 2005; Raul Ibanez, 2006; Dave Valle, 2007 and John Olerud in 2008.  With each award $1,000 was presented to their favorite charity.  Since 1993, the RBI Club has purchased hundreds of Mariners Care tickets for distibution to charitable programs. Since 2008, the RBI Club has held at Safeco Field a Mariners Care-CFF Golf Tournament auction and raffle that has benefited both Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Mariners Care.

The RBI Club also financially supports Mariners Care , Mariners Wives programs, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation , among other charitable  institutions. The Club applauds and  supports the good work in the community performed by Mariner players, Mariner wives, Mariners organization and Mariner RBI Club members.