Orioles announce winner of “Go Orange” Challenge for Maryland Schools
The Orioles are pleased to announce St. Philip Neri School in Linthicum as the Grand Prize winner of the Orioles “Go Orange” challenge. The Orioles issued a challenge on September 12 to all elementary, middle and high schools in the state of Maryland to “Go Orange” and demonstrate their support for the Orioles. Schools were encouraged to decorate their classrooms, gymnasium and other indoor spaces; adorn the outside of their school or athletic fields with an Orioles look; or to involve students in demonstrating their Orioles pride, including wearing orange or Orioles clothing.
Schools submitted a photo and a summary detailing their efforts and were judged on their overall creativity, school spirit and “best use of orange.” It was a tough competition with over 30 Maryland schools participating. St. Philip Neri School sent a photo collage of their “Go Orange Week” and included details about the extensive process that included decorating every classroom door and hallway; cafeteria staff decorating the tables and serving an Orioles-themed lunch; and all of the staff and students wearing orange and black for an aerial shot of them forming a human “O” outside. Kate Daley, the school’s principal even named Buck Showalter their honorary principal. Orioles pitchers JASON HAMMEL, TOMMY HUNTER and TROY PATTON, MASN Broadcaster JIM HUNTER and the Oriole Bird will visit the school on Thursday, September 27 at noon the day before the Orioles play the Red Sox in their final home regular season series of the year during Fan Appreciation Weekend. Media who wish to cover this event must contact Amanda Sarver at [email protected].
Perry Hall Elementary in Baltimore was awarded second place and Halstead Academy of Science and the Arts in Baltimore received third place. Perry Hall will also receive a visit from The Oriole Bird at a later date, and all three top schools will receive tickets for their entire student body to attend a mutually agreeable Orioles home game in April 2013.
To see a gallery of the schools who participated, visit www.orioles.com/GoOrange.
IN THE COMMUNITY
BUCKLE UP RALLIES
Through the remainder of the month, the Orioles #BUCKleUp team will appear throughout Baltimore and the surrounding area to hold a series of rallies to generate excitement for the team’s push for the postseason. Orioles players will join the promo team for many of the events, including MIGUEL GONZALEZ at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet on September 25; ZACH BRITTON at Bank of America on September 28; and JAKE ARRIETA, WEI-YIN CHEN, BRIAN MATUSZ, NATE McLOUTH and CHRIS TILLMAN at the BARCS animal shelter on September 29.
Additional locations and appearances, including visits to taverns and restaurants in Federal Hill, Fells Point and Canton, will take place throughout the next two weeks.
The #BUCKleUp team will be accompanied by The Oriole Bird and will give away game tickets, #BUCKleUp-themed gear, and other promotional items. Fans are encouraged to visit www.orioles.com/buckleup for a complete schedule of events.
ARRIETA AND BRITTON AT UNDER ARMOUR WOUNDED WARRIORS WORKOUT
On Wednesday, September 26, JAKE ARRIETA and ZACH BRITTON will join 10 of our nation’s heroes and wounded warriors at the Under Armour headquarters for a warrior workout in support of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). As part of Under Armour's UA Freedom initiative and partnership with the WWP, the performance brand hosts monthly training sessions for wounded warriors at the Under Armour Combine Training Center at the Brand's Locust Point headquarters to help carry out the WWP mission of honoring and empowering warriors through their recovery and beyond. This event is not open to the media.
AT THE BALLPARK
ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD
The Orioles will present JIM JOHNSON with the Roberto Clemente Award in an on-field ceremony prior to today’s doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays. Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, announced that Johnson was named the Orioles’ 2012 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Johnson is one of the 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet pays tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others.
SAVES FOR SHOCK TRAUMA
Every Orioles baseball season, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc. and KTBS Payroll contribute $1,000 for every save that is recorded by an Orioles pitcher during the season. This season, thanks to the success of the Orioles, highlighted by JIM JOHNSON’S franchise single-season record 47 saves and counting and the generous support of Kelly and Associates Insurance Group and KTBS Payroll The R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center will receive a check for $50,000 in an on-field ceremony prior to today’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Since 1996, Kelly and Associates Insurance Group and KTBS Payroll have contributed over $700,000 to The R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center through the "Saves for Shock Trauma” program.
MINOR LEAGUE APPRECIATION NIGHT
The Orioles will host Minor League Affiliate Appreciation Night at Oriole Park on Tuesday, September 25. The night will honor the Orioles affiliates and will include a pre-game ceremony revealing the 2012 award winners for Player Development and Scouting, including the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year and the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
The Orioles have extended a special discount ticket offer to fans of each of the Orioles’ affiliate teams for select lower level seats. Fans who still need to purchase their tickets should contact their local affiliate for details on the discount offer.
Five affiliates will be represented and honored at the game: the Norfolk Tides, Bowie Baysox, Frederick Keys, Delmarva Shorebirds and Aberdeen IronBirds. Mascots RipTide, Louie, Keyote, Sherman and Ferrous will join the Oriole Bird in various pre-game and between-inning activities, including a t-shirt launch, musical chairs and a mascot race. ADRIENNE ROBERSON, the Public Address Announcer for the Bowie Baysox will return as the guest PA announcer for the game as she did earlier this season at Oriole Park on Mother’s Day.
ORIOLE ADVOCATES CHECK PRESENTATION
In a pre-game ceremony on Tuesday, September 25, the Orioles will present a check to the Oriole Advocates in support of the Challenger Baseball Program. The Orioles donated $5 from every Orioles Dugout Club membership that the Oriole Advocates sold this season. This year, the Oriole Advocates sold 906 memberships, raising a total of $4,530 for Challenger Baseball.
DIAMOND CLUB GROUP CEREMONY
On Tuesday, September 25, the Orioles will host a pre-game ceremony to recognize their Diamond Club groups. These groups have purchased a minimum of 1,000 tickets for at least one Orioles game during 2012. Two of these groups have purchased tickets yearly since 1954.
CHECK PRESENTATION FOR BARCS
On Wednesday, September 26, Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter will be presented with a $7,500 check by Orioles corporate partner High’s, as part of the BP Fueling Communities grant program. This program is a partnership between BP and their local business partners, and gives back to local organizations that support health, education, youth, food, and housing in order to spread charity and goodwill wherever it is most needed.
ORIOLES PLAYER AND PET CALENDAR PRESENTED BY SOUTHWEST
The fourth annual Orioles Player and Pet Calendar, presented by Southwest Airlines, is currently on sale at www.orioles.com. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar, which has sold out each of the last three seasons, will benefit the Baltimore Animal and Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS). The 15-month full-color calendars are $15.
Orioles players were photographed with their pets and with pets up for adoption at BARCS. Many Orioles participated, including manager BUCK SHOWALTER with his Bassett Hounds Sader, Webster, Jasper and Opie; MATT WIETERS with his German Shepherd rescue, Millie, and rescue cats, Omaha & Ducky; ADAM JONES with his Lab mix rescue named Missy; and JJ HARDY with Dutchhess, a Shepherd-Husky mix from BARCS.
BARCS needs over 1,679 adoptions from August 1 to October 31 to be eligible to receive a $100,000 prize from ASPCA’s national Rachael Ray 100K challenge. Adoption fees will be waived during this time. Through this funding, BARCS will be able to assist hundreds of additional animals in need in the Baltimore area. For additional information, see www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org.
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:
Mon, September 24:
- Great Expectations Greyhound Rescue
- Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader Calendar Sale (Eutaw Street)
Wed, September 26:
- National Alopecia Areata Foundation
- BARCS (Kids Corner)
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, WILSON BETEMIT, WEI-YIN CHEN, JJ HARDY, ADAM JONES, NICK MARKAKIS and BRIAN MATUSZ. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players:
Mon, September 24 Armistead Gardens School Size:150 Player/Sponsor: Wei-Yin Chen
Tue, September 25 Youth Ambassadors Program Size:150 Player/Sponsor:Robert Andino
Wed, September 26 Well of Living Water Worship Church Size:150 Player/Sponsor:JJ Hardy
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
Tue, September 25
- Ollie’s Bargain Night presented to all fans by Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
- Minor League Affiliate Appreciation Night