Father's Day Weekend Celebration Highlights Upcoming Orioles Homestand

The Orioles will open a nine-game homestand tonight when they host the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Orioles will begin the homestand with a three-game series against Toronto before traveling to Texas on Monday, June 20, to play the Rangers in a makeup game, which was postponed on April 17. The Birds will return home to face the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays to complete the homestand. During the homestand, the Orioles will hold several special events including Father's Day Weekend and Social Media Night, distribute four unique giveaway items, and host more than 1,300 children as part of the OriolesREACH Gameday Experience Program.
To celebrate Father's Day Weekend, the O's will host their third Father's Day Catch on the Field on Sunday, June 19, prior to the 1:35 p.m. game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The event includes a pair of tickets to Sunday's game and a 25-minute pregame session of catch on the Oriole Park field. This sold-out event has raised more than $20,000 to benefit the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation. Combined with the Mother's Day Catch on the Field, these events have raised more than $40,000 for the Orioles Charitable Foundation this season.
On Sunday, June 19, all Orioles coaches, players, and personnel will wear special blue-accented jerseys and caps to bring awareness to prostate cancer. Each player's authentic, game-worn jersey will be autographed and auctioned on www.orioles.com/auction beginning June 19, at 1:00 p.m. through June 26, at 10:00 p.m. with proceeds benefiting the Prostate Cancer Discovery Fund of the Brady Urological Institute of Johns Hopkins Medicine, led by Alan W. Partin, M.D., Ph.D. Approximately one of every six men in the U.S. will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during their lifetime, with 20,000 related deaths each year. The Prostate Cancer Discovery Fund provides funding for scientists and surgeons to develop the best prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options for this all too common and deadly disease. Earlier this season, the club's Mother's Day jersey auction raised nearly $20,000 to benefit the John Fetting Fund for Breast Cancer Prevention at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
Father's Day weekend begins tonight, when all fans will enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, presented by BGE, following the game. The first 10,000 male fans 18 and older who attend Saturday's game will receive an O's BBQ Tool Set, presented by BGE. And the first 10,000 male fans 18 and older will receive a Father's Day Newsboy Cap on Sunday. Children aged 14 and under are invited to participate in a postgame Kids Run the Bases following Sunday's game, as is the case for every Sunday home game.
This season, the Orioles launched the Birdland Community Heroes Program to recognize community heroes who have inspired others through their spirited commitment to extend a hand in charity, service, hope, and harmony. This recognition honors the heroism of members of our extended Orioles community from all walks of life, occupations, and diverse backgrounds living in our region, our country, and abroad, who have distinguished themselves by selflessly working or volunteering in fields that care for, serve, teach, protect, and improve the lives of others, around the corner or around the globe, who are most in need.
The Orioles recognize local Birdland Community Heroes at Oriole Park during every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday home game.
JUNE 17 - Dr. CARLA HAYDEN, CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore; for her recent nomination by President BARACK OBAMA as Librarian of Congress. Dr. Hayden has devoted her career to promoting youth literacy and to modernizing libraries so that everyone can participate in today's digital culture. She would be the first woman and the first African American to hold the position if she is confirmed as Librarian of Congress.
JUNE 18 - THOMAS GORDON; for receiving the Maryland Parent Involvement Matters Award from the nation's first and only statewide award program, honoring parents and guardians for their critical work. Gordon is a United States Park Policeman who serves as an ongoing volunteer to the Indian Head Elementary School community. Gordon also leads the Keeping Kids in Coats Program, serves as the Fifth Grade Robotics Coach, and volunteers in the school's Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports Program.
JUNE 19 - HERCULES JOHNSON; for being a foster father and for his tireless work with KidsPeace. Johnson, a CADD engineer and full-time pastor, and his wife, Evelyn, have been fostering youth in the region for years.
    
JUNE 24 - Captain DAVE CHEN; for his brave rescue of an individual contemplating suicide on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Chen risked his life to comfort the individual and ultimately bring him to safety. Chen has courageously saved many lives over the course of his career as a firefighter with Anne Arundel County Fire Department.
JUNE 24 - DESTINY WATFORD; for her efforts to protect the quality of life of those in the Baltimore community. Watford, a 2016 Goldman Environmental Prize winner, along with Free Your Voice (an advocacy group she co-founded), prevented a trash incinerator from being built in the community near her high school.
JUNE 26 - RYAN KAISER, Maryland Teacher of the Year; for dedicating his time as an education speaker and advisor in the state of Maryland. Kaiser teaches sixth and eighth grade social studies at The Mount Washington School in Baltimore City and was recently honored by President Obama at the White House.
 
FRIDAY, JUNE 17
 
BRADY ANDERSON PARTNERS WITH KIPP BALTIMORE BASEBALL PROGRAM
Orioles Hall of Famer and Vice President of Baseball Operations, BRADY ANDERSON, has partnered with the KIPP Baltimore baseball program for the 2016 season. After an unexpected league fee increase jeopardized KIPP Ujima Village Academy's baseball program, Anderson made a donation to cover the program's fees for the entire season.
The partnership includes a Field Day Clinic and field trip to Oriole Park at Camden Yards today from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Field Day will feature a clinic, inter-squad scrimmage, and question-and-answer session from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with Anderson at KIPP Baltimore (4701 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209). Media are invited to attend and should RSVP to KIPP Executive Director Kate Mehr at kmehr@kippbaltimore.org or 443-629-6849. Tonight the students will visit Oriole Park to tour the ballpark and watch the Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m.
KIPP Baltimore operates two open-enrollment public charter schools serving educationally-underserved communities in Baltimore. Today, KIPP Baltimore serves more than 1,500 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With its KIPP Through College program, KIPP Baltimore also provides ongoing support to more than 700 alumni. For more information, visit www.kippbaltimore.org.
SATURDAY, JUNE 18
 
101-YEAR-OLD ORIOLES FAN TO THROW OUT FIRST PITCH
Prior to the Orioles game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, June 18, MARTHA AHLFELDT will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Ahlfeldt, who will soon celebrate her 102nd birthday, was born on July 16, 1914, in Baltimore. She is a mother of two, grandmother of 11, great-grandmother of eight, and great-great-grandmother of two. Her love for the Orioles started in the 1940's when her father took her to see the International League Orioles. She and her husband, Charles, held Orioles season tickets in the 1960's and 1970's at Memorial Stadium.
SUNDAY, JUNE 19

KIDS RUN THE BASES
As is the case for every Sunday home game this season, all fans 14 and under will be able to participate in a postgame Kids Run the Bases, following the game on Sunday, June 19, when kids can round the bases like their favorite Orioles.
ORIOLES HOST 35th ANNUAL BROOKS ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR GAME
The Orioles will host the 35th annual Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game at Oriole Park on Sunday, June 19, following the 1:35 p.m. game between the Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays and the Kids Run the Bases promotion. Hosted by the Orioles for the past 35 years, the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game showcases the best high school baseball players in Maryland.
The game, sponsored by Geier Financial Group, will feature the top players from northern Maryland against the best players from southern Maryland. The Orioles provide accommodations for the press conference, field use for the players, lunch, game tickets, and recognition of the student-athletes from the North and South teams in an on-field, pregame ceremony, during which an Orioles player will present each team with a bat inscribed with their names to honor their achievement. Geier Financial Group, based in Marriottsville, Md., has sponsored the game for the past 12 years to celebrate Robinson's legacy and recognize the best amateur baseball players in Maryland. Media should contact Elizabeth Ayers (eayers@orioles.com) and Jim Hogan (jhogan@orioles.com) to RSVP to the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game.
ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
As part of the Orioles Military Appreciation Program presented by GEICO, the Orioles and OriolesREACH donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Oriole Park to servicemen and women. On Sunday, June 19, military members from Catch a Lift will enjoy the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:35 p.m. from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with BRAD BRACH and CHRIS TILLMAN, and receive a player t-shirt. Catch a Lift is a program dedicated to allowing post-9/11 combat wounded veterans the chance to regain and maintain their health, both mentally and physically, by providing various means to stay physically active, including gym memberships and other fitness programs.
TUESDAY, JUNE 21
 
MARYLAND PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASEBALL & SOFTBALL CHAMPION CERMEMONIES
On Tuesday, June 21, and Wednesday, June 22, the Orioles will recognize the champions of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) Baseball and Softball tournament in a special pregame ceremony. In addition to the pregame ceremony, each team will be provided tickets to that night's game. Held on Memorial Day weekend at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md., the MPSSAA tournament winners of each division include the following teams: Brunswick High School (1A Baseball), Perryville High School (1A Softball), La Plata High School (2A Baseball & 2A Softball), Huntingtown High School (3A Baseball), Westminster High School (3A Softball), Belair High School (4A Baseball), and Sherwood High School (4A Softball).
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

ORIOLES TO HOST FIRST SOCIAL MEDIA NIGHT OF THE SEASON
The Orioles will host the sold-out "Birdland Social," a Social Media Night event presented by GBMC HealthCare Inc., at Oriole Park on Wednesday, June 22, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the San Diego Padres. The exclusive pregame party on the center field Roof Deck will host 250 of the Orioles' most engaged social media followers.
The event will include question-and-answer sessions with Orioles first baseman CHRIS DAVIS (@CrushD19) and MLB.com beat writer BRITTANY GHIROLI (@Britt_Ghiroli).
Tickets for the Birdland Social pregame party include access to the private event, a catered menu, a ticket to the game, and an exclusive Chris Davis Omoji T-shirt. The party will begin at 5:00 p.m. and continue until 6:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to use #BirdlandSocial throughout the event.
Social Media Night will continue with promotions and prizes for all fans attending the game including the popular Catch a #Winner promotion during Batting Practice. Any baseball stamped as a #Winner can be redeemed for a prize. Several lucky fans will also have an opportunity to take selfies with an Orioles player. Fans can also tweet using #BringMeFood for a chance to be chosen to receive complimentary concession items delivered to their seats. As always, fans at home can participate using #BirdlandSocial to win special prizes.
ORIOLES TO CELEBRATE BUDDIES NIGHT
On Wednesday, June 22, the Orioles will celebrate the 34th annual Buddies Night at Oriole Park during the 7:05 p.m. game against the San Diego Padres. Buddies is a group consisting of Baltimore Police and local businessmen and women raising money for the Explorer Scout Program of the Baltimore Police Department. This year, by selling more than 2,800 tickets and vouchers through the Orioles' High Five Fundraising Program for that night's game, more than $17,000 was raised for the Explorer Scout Program.
FRIDAY, JUNE 24
 
CHRIS DAVIS TO ATTEND CASEY CARES EXTRA INNINGS EVENT
On Friday, June 24, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, Orioles first baseman CHRIS DAVIS will join the Casey Cares Foundation at the Extra Innings facility (6685 Santa Barbara Court Suite C, Elkridge MD 21075). He will meet, sign autographs for, and play games with critically-ill children and their families. The Caring Connections Program encourages families to meet, share, and support each other while taking part in themed, group parties. This event is open to the media. Media interested in covering this event should contact Chris Martrich (cmartrich@orioles.com) to RSVP.
MLB PLAYERS ASSOCIATION CHECK PRESENTATION TO COOL KIDS CAMPAIGN
Prior to the 7:05 p.m. game on Friday, June 24, against the Tampa Bay Rays, one Orioles player and one Rays player will represent all Major League Baseball players when they present a check for $10,000 to the Cool Kids Campaign Foundation located in Towson, Md. The Cool Kids Campaign was co-founded by ROB BELANGER, son of the late former Oriole great and MLBPA Special Assistant, MARK BELANGER, and its mission is to improve the quality of life for children who are battling cancer. The funds from the Players Association and proceeds from other events, including the Ken Singleton Celebrity Golf Classic, enable the Cool Kids Foundation to create programs for the children and their families, such as their new learning center.
ORIOLES HOST UNION NIGHT
On Friday, June 24, the Orioles will again host Union Night at Oriole Park with approximately 23,000 union members along with their family and friends in attendance for the 7:05 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
SATURDAY, JUNE 25

BATTING PRACTICE PULLOVER GIVEAWAY
Prior to second game of the doubleheader, scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m., the first 20,000 fans 15 and over will receive a replica O's Batting Practice Pullover.
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
 
MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR FIRST PITCH
The Maryland Teacher of the Year Program is the State's premiere teacher recognition and teaching ambassador program. Each year this program selects a teacher representative from each of the 24 local school districts in Maryland. The selected teachers are their system's local Teachers of the Year. One of the 24 teachers is also selected as the Maryland Teacher of the Year and goes on to compete for the role of National Teacher of the Year, which is announced by the President of the United States at a White House ceremony. The Orioles have donated a catered suite and will recognize all 24 teachers on Sunday, June 26, in a pregame ceremony. RYAN KAISER, who was selected as the Maryland Teacher of the Year, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Kaiser was announced as the 2016 Maryland Teacher of the Year at the Maryland State Department of Education's Annual Awards Gala at Martin's West on October 9, 2015. He teaches sixth and eighth grade Social Studies at The Mount Washington School in Baltimore City. He also serves as the school's coach for the Baltimore Urban Debate League, is a mentor teacher, and is a member of the Mount Washington School Parent Teacher Organization.
MARK TRUMBO T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY
All fans in attendance will receive a MARK TRUMBO t-shirt on Sunday, June 26, prior to the 1:35 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Fans are encouraged to #VoteTrumbo at orioles.com/voteorange to send Trumbo to the 2016 All-Star Game in San Diego. Fans can cast their votes up to 35 times per email address, maximum of five votes in a 24-hour period. Orioles fans who vote a minimum of five times will have a chance to win an All-Star Game jersey signed by the 2016 Orioles All-Stars. O's fans who vote a minimum of 20 times will receive a code valid for a buy one, get one offer for a game in the Rockies series, July 25-27.
Fans who select the Orioles as their favorite club and vote 35 times will receive a coupon code to redeem for a buy one, get one offer on a regularly priced ticket during the June 21-22 series vs. San Diego Padres; August 2-4 series vs. Texas Rangers; August 18 vs. Houston Astros; August 29-31 series vs. Toronto Blue Jays; or September 15 vs. Tampa Bay Rays. These fans could also be selected as one of five grand prize winners who will receive a unique ballpark experience: two tickets to fireworks night on August 19 vs. Houston and the opportunity to watch the fireworks from the field after the game. Voting concludes on Thursday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m.
ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
As part of the Orioles Military Appreciation Program presented by GEICO, the Orioles and OriolesREACH donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Oriole Park to servicemen and women. On Sunday, June 26, military members from Got Your 6 will enjoy the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:35 p.m. from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with CHRIS DAVIS and MATT WIETERS, and receive a player t-shirt. Got Your 6 ensures successful veteran reintegration and empowers veterans to lead here at home.
KIDS RUN THE BASES
As is the case for every Sunday home game this season, all fans 14 and under will be able to participate in a postgame Kids Run the Bases, following the game on Sunday, June 26.