Winner of MLB's Honorary Bat Girl Contest to be honored at Camden Yards on Sunday, May 13
The Orioles, Major League Baseball and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have announced the winner of the Honorary Bat Girl contest, a campaign to recognize incredible MLB fans who are going to bat against breast cancer in their daily lives. The winner of the contest for the Orioles is TAMMY KESTLER of Glen Burnie, a mother of three who is a one-year survivor of breast cancer and has served the role as Team Captain for her Young Survivors Group for Komen’s Race for the Cure. Kestler, whose group raised over $11,000 to help fight this horrible disease, will be recognized in a special on-field ceremony Sunday, May 13, prior to the Orioles’ 1:35 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays and will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The Honorary Bat Girl contest was developed to raise additional awareness and support for the annual Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer program, a joint program between MLB and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization.
One player from each Club was deemed a representative on Mother’s Day, and most have personally experienced the effects that breast and other cancers have had on their families. The Orioles representative is RF NICK MARKAKIS, whose mother survived breast cancer. In addition, the Orioles donated 200 tickets to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Maryland supporters.
IN THE COMMUNITY
JACKIE ROBINSON DAY AUCTION RESULTS
In recognition of the 65th anniversary of the day Jackie Robinson became the first African-American player in Major League Baseball, all Orioles uniformed personnel wore #42, Robinson’s number, for their game against the Blue Jays on April 15. The Orioles joined all other major league teams to honor Robinson’s historic achievement. Each player’s authenticated, game-worn and autographed #42 jersey was auctioned at www.orioles.com, raising over $11,000 to benefit the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation and the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
CHEN TO MEET STUDENTS AT TOWSON HIGH
On Friday, May 11, Orioles pitcher WEI-YIN CHEN will meet with 60 students at Towson High School. The students consist of members of the Towson University Asian Culture Appreciation Club, Towson High School Chinese Students, and members of the Towson High School baseball team. This event is closed to the media and public.
BALTIMORE CITY CLINIC WITH JONES, ANDINO, COACHES AND FORMER O’S
On Saturday, May 12, over 300 pre-selected local youth will participate in a baseball clinic at Radecke Park in Baltimore. ADAM JONES and ROBERT ANDINO, along with O’s coaches WAYNE KIRBY and RUDY ARIAS, and Orioles Alumni AL BUMBRY, KEN DIXON and RICK KRIVDA, will be on hand to help teach youngsters the fundamentals of the game from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
CHALLENGER LEAGUE CLINIC
On Saturday, May 12, Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball, in conjunction with the Baltimore Orioles, will hold a Fantasy Camp for Kids at Freedom Field in Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena. The clinic provides Challenger Baseball players the opportunity to learn baseball skills from major league pitcher JIM JOHNSON and former Orioles JOE ORSULAK and BILL SWAGGERTY. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a variety of clinics providing over 40 Challenger Baseball players from Anne Arundel County, Frederick, Catonsville and Parkville the opportunity to learn pitching, throwing, catching and fielding skills. Each child will also receive autographs, a complimentary Junior Orioles Dugout Club membership package and tickets to that evening’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Further information about Oriole Advocate Challenger Baseball can be found at www.OrioleAdvocates.org.
AT THE BALLPARK
BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP
This past Saturday, Oriole Park at Camden Yards hosted the Baltimore City Public High School Championship game between Digital Harbor and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and City Councilman Brandon Scott were in attendance after throwing out the ceremonial first pitches. Digital Harbor went on to win the game 6-0, earning the title of 2012 City Champions.
SHOWALTER’S 1,000th WIN CEREMONY
Tonight, prior to their 7:05 p.m. game vs. Texas, the Orioles will honor Manager BUCK SHOWALTER with a pre-game ceremony to commemorate his 1,000th major league win. On April 7, 1992, Buck Showalter won his first game as a major league manager with the Yankees as Scott Sanderson beat Roger Clemens and Boston, 4-3, on Opening Day. This past Tuesday, May 1, in New York, Showalter became the 58th manager in major league history to win 1,000 games. Of the previous 57 managers to reach 1,000 wins, 29 are in the Hall of Fame and 13 others are not yet eligible for induction. Showalter is seventh among active managers in wins. A two-time Manager of the Year (1994 and 2004), Showalter is in his third season as Orioles manager.
ED REED FIRST PITCH
On Friday, May 11, Baltimore Ravens free safety ED REED will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. Reed is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and has spent his entire ten-year career with the Ravens.
SCOUT NIGHT
On Saturday, May 12 over 1,500 Baltimore area Boy Scouts will attend the Orioles game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles will honor the top sellers in the Boy Scouts’ popcorn selling fundraiser from last summer with several opportunities, including a chance to be on the field to watch batting practice; presentation of the lineup card; Orioles Heavy Hitter award; and the ceremonial first pitch. The top two sellers will also enjoy two innings of the game from the grounds crew area. All participants will receive a special Oriole Park at Camden Yards scout badge.
BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOLS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
On Monday, May 14, the Orioles will recognize the Baltimore City Schools 2012 Teacher of the Year, Bradley Nornhold of KIPP Ujima Village Academy. Nornhold is a founding teacher at the school that opened in 2001. He teaches 7th and 8th grade math and chairs the math department at KIPP.
Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso said, "Many of us were lucky enough in our own education to have teachers who inspired us and who influenced the adults we've become. Mr. Nornhold is that kind of teacher."
Baltimore City Schools Teacher of the Year finalists Mark Miazga and Whitney Ward and Dr. Alonso will also join Nornhold in throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
COOL KIDS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION DONATION
On Monday, May 14 ADAM JONES and Yankees outfielder CURTIS GRANDERSON will represent all Major League baseball players when they present a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Cool Kids Campaign Foundation, located in Towson. The Cool Kids Campaign was co-founded by Rob Belanger, son of the late Oriole great and MLBPA Special Assistant, Mark Belanger, and its mission is to improve the quality of life for children living with 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, including a new learning center.
KENTUCKY DERBY WINNING TRAINER DOUG O’NEILL FIRST PITCH
On Tuesday, May 15, Doug O’Neill, the trainer of the Kentucky Derby winning horse, I’ll Have Another, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the New York Yankees. O’Neill resides in Santa Monica, California. I’ll Have Another will race in the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore on May 19.
ORIOLES AND BREAKING BARRIERS: IN SPORTS, IN LIFE
The Baltimore Orioles will host a pre-game ceremony on May 15 in honor of Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life First Prize winner and seventh grade student, Hunter Youngblood of Newburg, Maryland. The on-field recognition will include Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson, author and Educational Programming Consultant for Major League Baseball.
Prior to the ceremony, Sharon Robinson will also pay a visit to Hunter and his peers at Piccowaxen Middle School. Hunter, whose essay details his commitment to overcome a learning disability, will have the opportunity to hear Robinson speak about her father, late Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, as it relates to the Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life program.
The essay contest, which recognizes students for their efforts to overcome personal barriers using the values exemplified by Jackie Robinson, is a significant component of Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life. Using baseball-themed activities, the program, developed by Major League Baseball, Sharon Robinson, and Scholastic, is designed to provide students of diverse backgrounds in grades four through nine with strategies to deal with barriers and challenges in their lives, while at the same time conveying the significance of Robinson breaking Baseball’s color barrier in 1947. For additional information on Breaking Barriers, please visit mlbcommunity.org/breakingbarriers.
ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
As part of the Orioles’ Military Appreciation Program, the Orioles and OriolesREACH in partnership with GEICO donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Camden Yards to servicemen and women. Also, as a courtesy to the soldiers, Under Armour provides player T-shirts to the servicemen and women. This Sunday, May 13, wounded soldiers and family members from Fort Belvoir Community Hospital will enjoy the game vs. Tampa Bay from a catered suite as guests of BRIAN MATUSZ.
STEAL SECOND BASE PRESENTED BY ESSKAY
The Orioles will again feature the Steal Second Base contest for every Sunday home game this season. Presented by ESSKAY, the Steal Second Base 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. This year, for the first time, the contestants will also get to keep the authentic base that they steal. This Sunday’s winner is Lauren Keller, a 10-year-old from Hanover, MD.
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:
DATE ORGANIZATION
Mon, May 7 Gold Heart Golden Retriever Rescue
Tue, May 8 Dog Rescue of MD
Wed, May 9 Pets on Wheels
Thu, May 10 Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue
Fri, May 11 Make-A-Wish
Sat, May 12 Boy Scouts
Sun, May 13 Susan G. Komen
Mon, May 14 Dog Rescue of MD
Tue, May 15 Basset Rescue of Old Dominion (BROOD)
ORIOLES REACH GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
This season, OriolesREACH will again host thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the OriolesREACH Gameday Experience Program. Group members receive game tickets, concessions vouchers, 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 ROBERT ANDINO, JAKE ARRIETA, WILSON BETEMIT, WEI-YIN CHEN, KEVIN GREGG, JJ HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, NICK MARKAKIS, and BRIAN MATUSZ. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players:
DATE ORGANIZATION SIZE PLAYER SPONSOR
Mon , May 7 The SEED School 150 Brian Matusz
Tue, May 8 Living Classrooms 50 Jake Arrieta
Bluford Drew Jemison Academy 100 Jake Arrieta
Wed, May 9 Baltimore Highlands Elementary School 150 Kevin Gregg
Thu, May 10 Patterson Park Public Charter 150 Tommy Hunter
Fri, May 11 Bollman Bridge Elementary School 150 Robert Andino
Sat, May 12 Roots of Scouting 150 Kevin Gregg
Sun, May 13 Hampstead Hill Academy 150 Jake Arrieta
Mon, May 14 Chadwick Elementary 150 Wei-Yin Chen
Tue, May 15 Living Classrooms 50 Wilson Betemit
James Mosher Elementary 100 Wilson Betemit