Orioles homestand to feature Casey Cares Foundation 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park

The Orioles will open a seven-game homestand on Monday, July 27, at 7:05 p.m. against the Atlanta Braves. The homestand will feature many special events including the Casey Cares Foundation 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park, a "Play Baseball" clinic with Manny Machado, and Social Media Night at the ballpark. The homestand will also feature exclusive giveaways including a Maryland-themed Oriole Bird bobblehead and a J.J. HARDY player-designed t-shirt.

The Orioles and OriolesREACH will again partner with the Casey Cares Foundation to host the sixth annual Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, August 1. Orioles pitcher BRIAN MATUSZ will serve as race ambassador.

Over the past several years, Matusz has visited Casey Cares patients at local hospitals and attended Casey Cares Extra Innings Events, where critically-ill children and their families meet with Orioles players to learn how to play baseball. Matusz also hosts Casey Cares patients at the ballpark, allowing the children to experience batting practice, tour the clubhouse, and meet the Orioles.

The 3.1 mile run/one mile walk begins at Oriole Park at 8:00 a.m. and ends on the field. Participants will partake in a pre-race warm-up with the Oriole Bird, music, and other entertainment, and will enjoy post-race refreshments. Top race winners will be announced in a pre-game ceremony prior to that night's 7:05 p.m. game against the Detroit Tigers.

Registration for the race is open now through August 1, and both teams and individuals are encouraged to register. Entry fees are $35 per person through July 30 online, or $40 on race day. To register, visit www.orioles.com/caseycares.

All proceeds will benefit the Casey Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides personalized, uplifting, and ongoing programs with a special touch to critically-ill children and their family members throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Over the past two years since moving to Oriole Park, the race has raised more than $190,000.

Accredited media may enter through Home Plate Plaza, located at the southwest corner of the ballpark and marked by a green awning. Affiliation identification will be required. Orioles pitcher BRIAN MATUSZ will be available to speak with media about the event from 8:15-8:45 a.m. Media interested in attending are required to contact Casey Baynes at [email protected] and Chris Martrich at [email protected] to RSVP.

Additionally, on Wednesday, July 29 from 11:00 am to noon, Matusz and infielder/outfielder CHRIS DAVIS will join Casey Cares at the Extra Innings facility (7904 Rossvillle Blvd, Nottingham, MD 21236). They will meet, sign autographs, 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 ([email protected]) to RSVP.

IN THE COMMUNITY

MANNY MACHADO'S BASEBOWL TOURNAMENT CHECK PRESENTATION & "PLAY BASEBALL" CLINIC

Orioles third baseman MANNY MACHADO hosted his 2nd Annual Celebrity BaseBOWL Tournament on May 18. The sold out, star-studded event raised approximately $80,000 - including a $10,000 donation from the Orioles - for the Baltimore City Foundation, which supports Baltimore City's Recreation & Parks "Play Baseball" youth program. This initiative provides a free, eight-week summer baseball camp for local youth ages 9-12 by providing equipment, uniforms, transportation, and field refurbishment. Many guests came out to show their support at the even including BRAD BRACH, CHRIS DAVIS, J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, CALEB JOSEPH, JIMMY PAREDES, STEVE PEARCE, TRAVIS SNIDER, CHRIS TILLMAN, Orioles manager BUCK SHOWALTER, Orioles coaches SCOTT COOLBAUGH, EINAR DIAZ, BOBBY DICKERSON, WAYNE KIRBY, MASN broadcaster GARY THORNE, and Orioles Hall of Famers BRADY ANDERSON and CAL RIPKEN, JR.

On Thursday, July 30, Machado will host a clinic for over 200 participants of the "Play Baseball" program from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Patterson Park. Machado will instruct participants on a variety of baseball skills and will participate in a question and answer session. This event is open to the media. Media interested in covering this event should contact Chris Martrich ([email protected]) to RSVP.

Later that night, during a pre-game ceremony, Machado and his wife YAINEE MACHADO will present a check to Baltimore Mayor STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE; ERNEST BURKEEN, Director of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks; BOB WALL, Bureau Chief of Recreation; and LEMUEL THOMAS, Director of Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center, along with five youth from the "Play Baseball" program. The Orioles donated 500 tickets to children in this program to come to that night's 7:05 p.m. game against the Detroit Tigers.

BRAD BRACH TO APPEAR AT ORIOLES TEAM STORE IN YORK

On Wednesday, July 29, Orioles pitcher BRAD BRACH will make an appearance at the Orioles Team Store in the York Galleria (2899 Whiteford Rd, York, PA 17402) from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Brach will sign autographs and greet fans. The event is free of charge and open to the public.  

AT THE BALLPARK

BUSES FOR BASEBALL

On Tuesday, July 28, the Orioles will host 50 children from the Cool Kids Campaign as part of "Buses for Baseball." At the conclusion of Orioles batting practice, a number of Orioles players will greet and interact with the youth. The Cool Kids Campaign is a non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of life for pediatric oncology patients and their families by focusing on the academic, social, and emotional needs brought on by a cancer diagnosis.

"Buses for Baseball," a program administered and underwritten by the Major League Baseball Players Trust, provides transportation, game tickets and personal greetings from players to underprivileged children across the country. This season, the program will make 15 Major League visits and provide over 750 children with an unforgettable ballpark experience. At each game, players will sign autographs, pose for photos, and answer questions. The children also receive free souvenirs, food, and beverages.

The Major League Baseball Players Trust is a charitable foundation created by the players to help those in need. Through the Players Trust, Major League players contribute their time, money, and celebrity to call attention to important issues affecting those in need and to help encourage others to get involved in their own communities. For additional information, please visit http://playerstrust.org.

ORIOLES TO HOST SOCIAL MEDIA NIGHT ON TUESDAY, JULY 28

The Orioles will host "Birdland Social," a Social Media Night event at Oriole Park on Tuesday, July 28, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves. The exclusive pre-game party on the centerfield Roof Deck will host up to 250 of the Orioles' most engaged social media followers.

The event will include an exclusive question-and-answer session with Baseball Hall of Famer, Orioles legend, and MASN broadcaster JIM PALMER (@Jim22Palmer) and MASNsports.com Orioles writer ROCH KUBATKO (@masnRoch).

Tickets for the Birdland Social pre-game party range from $30 to $60 and include access to the party, a catered menu, two drink coupons per person, a ticket to the game (Roof Deck, Eutaw Street Bleachers, or Upper Reserve with varied pricing), and an exclusive t-shirt with a unique social media design. The party will begin at 5:00 p.m. and continue until 6:30 p.m. A limited number of tickets are available at www.orioles.com/birdlandsocial.

MLBPAA AND ORIOLES TO HOST ALUMNI DAY RECEPTION

The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the Orioles will host an Alumni Day pre-game reception for former players on Tuesday, July 28, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the DH Lounge in the Warehouse at Oriole Park. More than 30 former players who live in the region are expected to attend the reception and that night's 7:05 p.m. against the Braves. The event is designed to provide a forum for MLBPAA members to reconnect as well as learn about projects and initiatives of the Alumni Association, which promotes the game of baseball through fund-raising events, clinics, and other endeavors. BROOKS ROBINSON, the Orioles Hall of Fame third baseman, is president of the association, whose headquarters are in Colorado Springs, CO.

KIDS PEACE KEYS PROGRAM

On Tuesday, July 28, ten members of the KidsPeace KEYS group will shadow the Orioles Career Introductory Program staff to learn what it takes to work behind-the-scenes of a Major League Baseball game. KidsPeace Empowering Youth to Succeed (KEYS) is a Life Skills Training and Education Program for youth transitioning from Foster Care to Independent Living. KEYS prepares youth to effectively implement learned skills by providing support through four different areas: Internships/Job Training, Individual Sessions, Flexible Funding, and Group Sessions. The KEYS group will experience working with several different departments during the day including Community Relations, Public Relations, Ballpark Operations, Corporate Partnerships, and Productions. They also will have the opportunity to meet KidsPeace supporter and Orioles manager BUCK SHOWALTER and join him for a PSA shoot promoting the KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot that will be held at Oriole Park on Saturday, October 31. They will then attend that night's 7:05 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves as guests of the Orioles. For more information on KidsPeace and the KEYS program, visit www.kidspeace.org.

ALUMNI AUTOGRAPH SERIES

Every Monday and Thursday home game, former Orioles players will sign autographs on Eutaw Street as part of the Orioles Alumni Autograph Series. On Monday, July 27, AL BUMBRY, DICK HALL, and BILL SWAGGERTY are scheduled to greet fans and sign autographs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, July 30, JOE DURHAM, CHRIS HOILES, and JOHN MILLER will participate in the series.

MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR TO THROW OUT CEREMONIAL 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. In appreciation of all 24 Teachers of the Year, the Orioles have donated a catered suite and will recognize each teacher on Sunday, August 2 in a pregame ceremony prior to that day's 1:35 p.m. game against the Detroit Tigers. JODY ZEPP, who was selected as the Maryland Teacher of the Year, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Zepp, a high school government and psychology teacher from Howard County, represented Maryland when competing for the role of National Teacher of the Year. In May, she was recognized by President Obama along with other State Teachers of the Year at a White House ceremony.

ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM

As part of the Orioles' Military Appreciation Program, the Orioles and OriolesREACH donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Oriole Park to servicemen and women through the Sunday Suite Program, presented by GEICO. On Sunday, August 2, military members from Team Red, White and Blue will enjoy the game against the Detroit Tigers at 1:35 p.m. from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with shortstop J.J. HARDY and pitcher CHRIS TILLMAN, and receive a player t-shirt and cap.

CHEVY YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC

The Orioles will host the second of three "Chevy Youth Baseball Clinics" taking place at Oriole Park this summer. On Thursday, July 30, more than 100 pre-selected children from the surrounding Baltimore metro area will take the field to learn the fundamentals of pitching, throwing, and catching from former Orioles. Participants will receive ESSKAY hot dogs, pretzels, and beverages provided by the Orioles. Each participant also will receive two tickets to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Detroit Tigers.  

STEAL SECOND BASE PRESENTED BY ESSKAY

The Orioles feature the Steal Second Base contest during every Sunday home game throughout the season. Presented by ESSKAY, the contest allows a young fan to participate in a timed race from the grounds crew area in center field to retrieve second base. Fans can sign up for the opportunity at the ballpark at any Fan Assistance Center. The lucky winner will receive four tickets to that day's game, gift certificates to use inside the park, an Orioles jersey, and an Orioles prize pack. The contestants will also get to keep the authentic base.

ORIOLES REACH COMMUNITY BOOTH

During each home game, the Orioles provide a community booth for charitable, non-profit organizations to distribute information, sell raffle tickets, register participants, or conduct health care screenings for Orioles fans. The following groups will be at the community booth, located near Gate D, during this homestand:

ORIOLES REACH GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

This season, OriolesREACH is again hosting thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the Gameday Experience Program. Group members receive up to 150 game tickets, concessions, an Orioles t-shirt, a cap, and transportation to and from the game. Tickets are provided courtesy of Orioles players. Players participating in the program this year include WEI-YIN CHEN, CHRIS DAVIS, MIGUEL GONZALEZ, J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, BRIAN MATUSZ, BUD NORRIS, TRAVIS SNIDER, CHRIS TILLMAN, and MATT WIETERS. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players: