Major League Baseball announced the launch of its “My Dad, My MVP” online contest on Friday to get the ball rolling toward its annual Father’s Day celebration, giving fans a special opportunity to recognize the father figures in their lives.

Father’s Day is June 19, and the contest on MLB.com allows fans to submit short stories about why their father figures, or someone they know, are extraordinary in their daily lives and why they want them to be the Father’s Day “MVP Dad” for their favorite MLB club. Entries are under way at MLB.com/mvpdad and will be accepted until the submission period closes on June 1.

After the MLB announced the MVP Dad competion players were more than ready to announce why their fathers were MVP’s in their lives.

“I think people are brought into your life to help you, and my dad was obviously a huge role model for me,” Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher said of Steve Swisher, whose nine-season National League catching career spanned from 1974-82. “I mean, he was my hero, my idol when I was a kid, and he still is to this day. Everything he was doing, I wanted to do.”

“The love for the game of baseball has historically been passed down through generations, and this campaign recognizes our fans who make a difference in the lives of their loved ones,” said Tim Brosnan, MLB executive vice president, business. “We feel that it is a fitting way to commemorate our Father’s Day celebration, and as a dad, I know how special it is to be an important part of my children’s lives.”

Winners will be selected by a panel that includes country music stars Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of the country duo Montgomery Gentry; MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Joe Torre; Prostate Cancer Foundation founder and chairman Michael Milken; MLB players including Mets left fielder Jason Bay, Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy, Cubs first baseman Carlos Peña, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, A’s catcher Kurt Suzuki, Giants closer Brian Wilson; and MLB Network analyst Billy Ripken. The winners will be selected based on the following: originality, quality of writing, demonstration of commitment to the role of father and public appeal as determined based on fan voting on MLB.com.

Jeffrey Feulner and the Men’s Divorce Law Firm are here to support all fathers who hit home-runs in their famlies lives.