With nearly $500,000 raised since April 2005 and more than 30 professional baseball players contributing based on their on-field performance, Strikeouts For Troops begins its third season in conjunction with Major League Baseball's Opening Day.

Founded by Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants, Strikeouts For Troops is dedicated to helping our war wounded veterans by providing some comforts of home while they are being treated at military hospitals across the country like Brooke Army, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval, among many others.

Among the Opening Day starting pitchers participating in Strikeouts For Troops are Barry Zito, Dontrelle Willis of the Florida Marlins, Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox, Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres, CC Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians, and Dan Haren of the Oakland Athletics.

The participating players - including Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox, Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, Nick Swisher of the Oakland Athletics, and Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves - donate with every home run, RBI or hit collected respectively or for every strikeout they record.

"In a world where professional sports and celebrities are often portrayed as heroes, it's easy to lose sight of who the real heroes are. They are the men and women in uniform stationed around the world who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on a daily basis for us. They are brave and selfless," said Barry Zito.

In addition to the ongoing support provided, Strikeouts For Troops provides meals on Christmas and Thanksgiving for military personnel recovering from injuries and invited their families and the medical staff to join in. They have also purchased gift and phone cards and holiday gifts for military children.

Strikeouts For Troops has also participated in morale-building events across the country and provided support to the Fisher Houses, Injured Marines in San Diego, and the Gold Star Family Support Center at Fort Hood.

For more information about Strikeouts For Troops please visit www.strikeoutsfortroops.org.