Kate Upton and baseball player Justin Verlander confirmed they are dating by spending New Year's together at the Ritz-Carlton on St. Thomas, New York Post's Page Six reported.

Upton, 20, and Verlander, 29, were spotted poolside and went for walks around the resort during their holiday vacation. An onlooker said to the publication, "He keeps a conservative distance, but still you can tell they are dating."

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and Detroit Tigers pitcher met while shooting a video game commerical in February 2012 and have been romantically linked since the summer. They have yet to comment on their relationship but have been seen out in public together numerous times, including once at an Aerosmith concert.

Verlander's grandfather, Richard Verlander Sr., told Celebuzz in October, "I heard he has been on dates with a Sports Illustrated girl. I saw a photo."

"She's beautiful," he added. "They make a good-looking pair because he's a good-looking man, too."

Later on in October, the baseball player told USA Today, "I'm not confirming or denying anything. I'll leave that to my grandfather."

"God bless him," he said. "I never thought I'd have to prepare my grandfather. It's a whole different world. I can't believe that people would call my grandparents. It's tough when people start trying to dig into your personal life.

Aside from her personal connection to the world of baseball, Upton also contributed to the upcoming Super Bowl, held in New Orleans. She will star as the "object of desire" in a new commercial for Mercedes-Benz, which will make its debut during the 2013 game on Feb. 3.

The 60-second ad will be a "a tongue-in-cheek depiction of how far a person might - or might not - go to get their heart's desire," a source told the New York Post. The ad will also star singer and songwriter Usher.

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