The Orioles today have announced plans for the first home game of the 2016 season, Monday, April 4, at 3:05 p.m. ET against the Minnesota Twins.
PREGAME FUN AROUND THE YARD
To allow fans the opportunity to experience the excitement of Opening Day, the entire ballpark will open at noon on Monday. Each fan will receive a 2016 schedule Fathead® decal, presented by Pizza Boli's, at the gates. Roving musical groups will entertain fans on Eutaw Street and the main concourses.
PREGAME CEREMONIES
PLAYER INTRODUCTIONS
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 2:30 p.m., when pregame ceremonies will begin. MASN broadcaster JIM HUNTER will serve as emcee for the pregame festivities.
In a continuation of the Opening Day tradition, Orioles players and coaches will be introduced prior to the game. Orioles players will run through the center field gate on an orange carpet and take their places between first and second base. Manager BUCK SHOWALTER, coaches, and staff will be introduced from the Orioles dugout. Members of the Twins will be announced and will run from their dugout to line up between second and third base.
OriolesREACH has arranged for 120 youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore to line the orange carpet holding Orioles flags during player introductions. Each child will also receive a complimentary game ticket for Opening Day, concessions, an Orioles T-shirt and cap, as well as transportation to and from the game as part of the OriolesREACH Game Day Experience Program. The Orioles and center fielder ADAM JONES donated $75,000 to the Webster Kendrick site of the Boys & Girls Clubs in 2015. The donation provided the students with a brand new computer lab and technology center, along with a renovated space in the club for a teen room, which will give teens a safe space to help continue with their programing. Webster Kendrick is the third Boys & Girls Club that the Orioles and Jones, a Boys & Girls Club alumnus, have renovated in as many years.
For the 23th consecutive season, one fan will be chosen to represent all Orioles fans as the team's "10 man." The fan will be introduced as a part of the Orioles starting lineup during the pregame ceremonies.
NATIONAL ANTHEM AND GOD BLESS AMERICA
Nationally-acclaimed operatic tenor ROLANDO SANZ will perform the "The Star-Spangled Banner." Sanz, a native of Rockville, Md., will also sing "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch. This year marks the third time he has performed the national anthem on Orioles Opening Day.
During the anthem, a 30'x 42' American flag from Fort McHenry will be unfurled over the batter's eye wall in center field. The flag is a replica of the one that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the National Anthem.
Colors will be presented by both the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Honor Guard, and the Baltimore City Fire Department Honor Guard.
CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH
Orioles Hall of Fame catcher and 1983 World Series MVP RICK DEMPSEY will join Maryland State Senator BOBBY ZIRKIN in throwing out simultaneous ceremonial first pitches. This season marks Dempsey's 50th year working in professional baseball. He played for 24 Major League seasons with six teams, including 11 and a half with the Orioles, and is now a member of the Orioles broadcast team, appearing on "O's Xtra" on MASN. Senator Zirkin was elected to the Maryland State Senate in 2006 has been serving in the Maryland General Assembly since his election in 1998. He currently serves as chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee.
GOLD GLOVE AWARD PRESENTATION FOR MACHADO
Rawlings established the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 1957 to recognize the best fielders at each position. The award has evolved into baseball's greatest measure of defensive excellence. Every year, managers and coaches of each Major League Baseball team select a squad of the best defensive player at each position in their respective leagues, excluding their own teams.
In 2015, MANNY MACHADO was named the American League Gold Glove Award winner at third base. It marks the second time that he has earned the honor, his first coming in 2013 when he also earned the American League Platinum Glove Award. In a pregame ceremony, STEVE COHEN from Rawlings will present Machado with his Gold Glove Award.
NEW FOOD ELEMENTS COMING TO ORIOLE PARK
The Orioles and their concessionaire, Delaware North, have made several additions to the food offerings at Oriole Park, highlighted by the following:
Jalapeno Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog: Deep-fried ESSKAY hot dog wrapped in jalapeno bacon with American cheese (available at ESSKAY Gourmet Hot Dogs)
Smoked Brisket BBQ Sandwich: Slow-smoked Angus brisket with house-made BBQ sauce and tobacco onions (Eutaw Street Grill)
Spicy Chicken Chipper: House-made Yukon gold kettle chips with smoked buffalo style pulled chicken, blue cheese dressing, and diced celery (The Chipper)
The High Heater Burger: Two fresh beef patties with sautéed jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, smoked bacon, and chipotle aioli (Bud & Burgers)
Roma Chorizo Sausage: Fresh chorizo sausage with tequila lime caramelized onions and cotija cheese (Roma Sausage)
FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICY
The Orioles have one of the most liberal food policies in professional sports. Outside food and beverages may be brought into Oriole Park, subject to the following guidelines:
No hard-sided coolers, thermoses, glass bottles, cans, or alcoholic beverages are permitted into the ballpark. Fans must leave these items in their vehicles before entering the ballpark.
Non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles are permitted into the park. All items will be checked at the gates and any beverage that has been opened or partially consumed prior to entry is subject to confiscation if it is thought to contain alcohol. In addition, no plastic or paper cups of beverages are permitted into the park at the entry gates.
MLB SECURITY MEASURES
All Major League Baseball teams have mandatory metal detection screening of all fans prior to entry at every ballpark. Oriole Park at Camden Yards will again have walk-through magnetometers or hand-held metal detectors at each entrance in order to ensure a safe and fun environment for fans attending Orioles games. Fans are advised to allow themselves plenty of time for entry.
Prior to screening, fans will be asked to remove their keys and mobile phone from their pockets. Wallets and other identification or money holders can remain in their pocket or size-compliant bag (see below for rules on bags). Bags that do not meet size requirements will not be allowed into the ballpark.
Fans without a bag can utilize one of several Express Lanes found at Gates A, C, F, or H to go through security. Other security measures include the following:
All items permitted into the ballpark will be inspected. No bags or items exceeding the maximum size of 16" x 16" x 8" are allowed into the ballpark. Permitted items must easily fit into a 16" x 16" x 8" container. Bags on wheels are prohibited.
No containers or unauthorized items can be left at any park entrance. Fans will be asked to return them to their vehicle.
No re-entry will be permitted. Once fans enter the ballpark, they will not be permitted to leave and re-enter the facility. Fans should make sure they have everything they need before entering the ballpark.
Only vehicles dropping off or picking up guests with disabilities are permitted to stop curbside at the ballpark. No other vehicles are permitted curbside, nor will fans be able to stand and wait with their vehicles.
The Orioles welcome fan support in the form of handmade banners and signs. To ensure that all fans will have an unobstructed view of the ballgame, the Orioles do not permit the hanging of banners anywhere in the ballpark. Banners may only be displayed before and after the game and between innings. Banners are subject to confiscation if the content is commercial, political, and/or in bad taste according to the Orioles' discretion. The Orioles reserve the right to remove any banner at any time.
Air horns, cowbells, and other noisemakers are not permitted in the ballpark.
Firearms, knives, or weapons of any kind are not permitted at Oriole Park.
USE #BIRDLAND AT THE BALLPARK
Fans are encouraged to use social media while at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and share their experiences with friends and followers. By using the hashtag #Birdland on Twitter and on Instagram, fans can have their tweets and/or photos selected to appear on the Oriole Park video board, before and during the game. Fans are also encouraged to visit www.orioles.com/connect and sign up to follow all of the Orioles official social media platforms.
ORIOLE PARK BALLPARK APP
The Orioles have announced promotions available exclusively within the free MLB.com Ballpark mobile application at Oriole Park during the 2016 season. MLB.com Ballpark, the official app of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, offers mobile check in, social media, special offers, rewards, and exclusive content for anyone with a supported Android smartphone or iPhone.
Incentives for fans to "check in" using MLB.com Ballpark include offers that will reward fans at every home game and that reward fans for checking in over the course of the entire season.
Daily offers for every game include:
Season-long offers include:
OPENING DAY TIMING
10:00 a.m.:Orioles parking lots open
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.: Orioles Clubhouse open to credentialed media
11:00 a.m.: Buck Showalter pregame availability (Auxiliary Clubhouse)
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Orioles Batting Practice
Noon: Gates Open
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.: Twins Batting Practice
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Field Preparation
2:30 p.m.: Ceremonies Begin
3:05 p.m.: Play Ball!