Tar balls are washing up in Pensacola, Fla., as a result of the BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast, so the Brevard County Manatees of the Florida State League are taking action.

The Class A affiliate of the Brewers have announced they are changing the name of batting practice, also known as "BP," to hitting rehearsal, according to Florida Today.

"As an organization, we feel that changing the term 'batting practice' and 'BP' to 'hitting rehearsal' shows that we are deeply concerned and hurt by the disaster on the Gulf coast," Manatees general manager Kyle Smith said.

Brevard County is located on the east coast of Florida, and at least one oceanographer says the oil spill could have a greater environmental impact there than on the west coast.

"We hope to send a message to the community that we are definitely worried with the pollution that is in the waters off the Gulf Coast and its potential impact on the beaches here in Brevard County," Smith said.

By Peter Barzilai