Bentley University announced two high school students as winners in the "Break into the Business of Baseball" program, sponsored by Bentley and MLB.com. During summer 2011, each winner will complete a one-month internship with a Major League Baseball team - the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets website.

Bentley University solicited 100-word essays from high school students nationwide, asking them to explain why they should be chosen for the unprecedented one-month internships offered by two Major League Baseball teams. After reviewing hundreds of entries, the winners were chosen by representatives from Bentley and MLB.com.

This year’s winners are:

•    Peter Barrett, of Dobbs Ferry, NY, and a senior at Hackley High School, will intern with the online arm of the New York Mets
•    Mike Tomaino, of Gloucester, Mass., and a senior at Gloucester High School in Gloucester, Mass., will intern with the Boston Red Sox

"We’re pleased Mike and Peter will be joining us this year, " says Noah Garden, executive vice president of commerce for MLB Advanced Media. "We look forward to their contributions and offering them insight into the industry behind the game. We also are thrilled to continue our relationship with Bentley University and support its desire to offer high school students this opportunity."

Peter Barrett has a passion for technology, media and sports, with a professional goal to become a sports correspondent.  He writes for his high school web site covering highlights, post-game interviews and other media for the high school’s sports teams. He also started a started an online sports network, and a blog that includes interviews with professional/retired coaches and players.

Barrett says of the internship: "Sports have been a big part of my life. Sports bring out the best in all of us and bring us together. That’s the kind of business I want to be in."

Mike Tomaino, a two-season high school athlete and president of his high school class, plans to pursue an education in communication; among his career goals is becoming a professional sports coach. An advocate of community service, he enjoys working with kids and values being a strong role model. He says that the opportunity to work with the Red Sox organization will help him view the sports industry from a management and business perspective.

“Having only seen sports from the perspective of being an amateur athlete, the internship will provide insight to what goes on behind the scenes of a professional sports team,” Tomaino says. “The knowledge I will gain will be endless and I’m excited to work for one of the best organizations in all of sports.”