Orioles Community Report: Youth clinics, 4 ALS Day and giveaways highlight homestand
Orioles to host third annual youth softball clinic with J.J. and Adrienne Hardy
On Sunday, June 29, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. the Orioles will partner with The Y of Central Maryland and the Coppin State University women's softball team to conduct their third annual youth softball clinic at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center Y on the Ripken Youth Development Field, located on the same site where Memorial Stadium once stood.
The participants will consist of 100 girls from the Orioles RBI program. They will be instructed on the fundamentals of softball by Orioles shortstop J.J. HARDY and his wife, ADRIENNE, a four-year starter and two-time NCAA softball champion at the University of Arizona. The group will also receive one-on-one instruction from the coaches of Coppin State University's Division I softball team.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES AND INITIATIVES
KIDSPEACE KEYS PROGRAM
On Monday, June 23, 12 members of the KidsPeace KEYS group will shadow the Baltimore Orioles Career Introductory Program staff to learn what it takes to put on 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 will also have the opportunity to meet KidsPeace supporter BUCK SHOWALTER and sit-in on his pre-game press conference with the media, and then stay for the game as guests of the Baltimore Orioles. For more information on KidsPeace and the KEYS program, visit www.kidspeace.org.
CATHY REESE FIRST PITCH
On Saturday, June 28, University of Maryland Women's Lacrosse Coach CATHY REESE will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. In her nine seasons as Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at the University of Maryland, Coach Reese has been named ACC Coach of the Year seven times and has an overall record in College Park of 162-17.
On May 25, Reese and the Terps beat Syracuse to claim their 11th National Championship and the second for Coach Reese.
JOHN SZEFC FIRST PITCH
On Tuesday, July 1, Maryland Baseball coach JOHN SZEFC (pronounced CHEF), will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. In 2013, his first year at the helm of the Maryland baseball program, Coach Szefc led the Terps to the most ACC wins for the program since 1971. This spring, in his second season, Szefc and the Terps fell one win shy of playing in the College World Series.
4 ALS DAY AT ORIOLE PARK AT CAMDEN YARDS
Continuing baseball's long-standing commitment to raising awareness of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Major League Baseball and all 30 Clubs are once again teaming up "4 ALS." On July 2, the Orioles will welcome over 100 members the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins to Oriole Park. The Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins enables the world's best ALS scientists to collaborate and access funding so that they may continue work to rapidly develop new treatments and find a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A patient from The Packard Center will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game vs. the Texas Rangers.
For additional information on ALS awareness and ways to help those suffering from ALS, fans can visit the Community Booth or visit http://www.alscenter.org.
IN THE COMMUNITY
DELMON YOUNG TEAM STORE AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
On Wednesday, July 2, from noon to 1:00 p.m., DELMON YOUNG will sign autographs and greet fans at the Orioles Team Store at the York Galleria Mall in York, PA. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
AT THE BALLPARK
CHEVY YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC
On Tuesday, June 24, the Orioles will host the first of three "Chevy Youth Baseball Clinics" taking place at Oriole Park this summer. One hundred pre-selected children from the surrounding Baltimore metro area will take the field from 10:00 a.m. to noon and be instructed in a variety of baseball-related skills including baserunning, batting off of a tee, fielding, and pitching from former Orioles including LARRY BIGBIE, AL BUMBRY, and BILL SWAGGERTY. Participants will receive hot dogs, pretzels and beverages provided by the Orioles. Each participant will also receive two tickets to that night's game against the Chicago White Sox.
ORIOLES TO HOST 32nd ANNUAL BUDDIES NIGHT
On Wednesday, June 25, the Orioles will host the 32nd annual Buddies Night. Buddies is a group consisting of Baltimore Police and local businessmen and women who raise money for inner city youth programs for the Baltimore Police Department. Approximately 3,000 people associated with the group will attend the game against the Chicago White Sox and a portion of the group will participate in a pre-game check presentation and ceremony.
SEASON PLAN HOLDER EVENT - STATE OF THE ORIOLES
On Saturday, June 28, the Orioles will host a special "State of the Orioles" event open only to Orioles Season Plan Holders including player autograph stations and an exclusive Q & A session with Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations DAN DUQUETTE and manager BUCK SHOWALTER. At 12:30 p.m., Gates A & H will open to all Full Season and 29-Game Plan Holders for a special autograph session with Orioles players. Seven stations will be set up around the stadium, with multiple players per station. The players will sign autographs and greet fans from 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. At 1:15 p.m., Gates A & H will open to all Season Plan Holders, who will be admitted into the park for the special Q & A session beginning at 1:30 p.m.
New this year the Orioles will be offering a "Value Meal" at the concession stand located in the lower concourse behind home plate featuring $2 items until 2:00 p.m. Also, Season Plan holders will be allowed to exit through Gate E and re-enter the ballpark through any gate to allow them to take items out to their car or take a break from being at the ballpark before the game begins.
KIDS RUN THE BASES
Following their game on Sunday, June 29 against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles and OriolesREACH will host the Kids Run the Bases event on the field at Camden Yards. Fans 14 and under who attended the game are invited to line up outside of Gate D beginning at the top of the 8th inning to go on-field and run the bases after the game. Registration is not necessary and there is no charge to participate in the event.
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. This Sunday, June 29, military members from the Red Circle Foundation will enjoy the game vs. the Tampa Bay Rays from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with CHRIS TILLMAN and TOMMY HUNTER, and receive a player T-shirt.
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 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. On Monday, June 23, TIM NORDBROOK, TOM PHOEBUS, and GARY ROENICKE will greet fans and sign autographs. On Thursday, June 30, DICK HALL, RON HANSEN, and SAMMY STEWART will greet fans and sign autographs. And finally, on Thursday, July 3, AL BUMBRY will participate along with two additional former Orioles players still to be announced.
CHICK-FIL-A HONORARY BAT KIDS
The Orioles have partnered with Chick-fil-A this summer to host the Chick-fil-A Honorary Bat Kids program. Children ages 7-14 can enter by filling out an entry form at participating Chick-fil-A Restaurants or mailing the form directly to the Baltimore Orioles. This program will take place through August 30. One boy and one girl will be selected to be the Honorary Bat Kid at each Orioles home game, excluding Sundays. Winners will receive four tickets to the game, an Orioles T-shirt, hat, and free Chick-fil-A sandwiches for a year. Each winner will also participate in an on-field, pre-game ceremony where they will be presented with an official Honorary Bat Boy/Girl certificate and have a photo opportunity with the Chick-fil-A Cow and Oriole Bird.
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. The contestants will also get to keep the authentic base that they steal. This Sunday's contestant is Andrew Decker, a 14 year-old from Baltimore.
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, Jun 23 Saving Grace Animal Rescue of Maryland
Tue, June 24 Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Greater Chesapeake
Wed, June 25 Casey Cares
Fri, June 27 Baltimore Humane Society
Sat, June 28 Baltimore Bully Crew
Sun, June 29 Babe Ruth Foundation
Mon, June 30 Franciscan Center, Inc.
Tue, July 1 Miss Pre-Teen Maryland International
Wed, July 2 Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins
Thur, July 3 Veterans Crisis Line
ORIOLES REACH GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
This season, OriolesREACH will again host thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the 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 WEI-YIN CHEN, CHRIS DAVIS, J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, NICK MARKAKIS, BRIAN MATUSZ, CHRIS TILLMAN, and MATT WIETERS. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players:
DATE ORGANIZATION SIZE PLAYER SPONSOR
Mon, Jun 23 One More One Less Mentoring Program 150 Wei-Yin Chen
Tue, June 24 Christian Youth Athletics 150 Chris Davis
Wed, June 25 Concord Baptist Church 150 Tommy Hunter
Fri, June 27 Arbutus Elementary 150 Brian Matusz
Sat, June 28 True Worship Ministries 150 Chris Tillman
Sun, June 29 Middle River Baptist 150 Chris Davis
Mon, June 30 Shiloh A.M.E. Church 150 Tommy Hunter
Tue, July 1 Faith Tabernacle Church 150 J.J. Hardy
Wed, July 2 Baltimore Rec & Parks Summer Camps 150 Chris Davis
Thur, July 3 Bywater Boys & Girls Club 150 Tommy Hunter
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
DATE ITEM/OFFER SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
Tue, June 24 Ollie's Bargain Night Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Fans
Wed, June 25 Junior Orioles Dugout Club Day Dugout Club members
Fri, June 27 Game 1: Ollie's Bargain Night Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Fans
Game 2: AT&T Student Night AT&T Any student with a school I.D.
Orioles Floppy Hat Miller Lite First 20,000 fans 21 & over
Sat, June 28 Chris Davis Performance T-Shirt First 20,000 fans 15 & over
Sun, June 29 1954 Orioles Cap DAP First 20,000 fans 15 & over
Kids Run the Bases (Post-game) All kids 14 & under
Tue, July 1 Junior Orioles Dugout Club Day Dugout Club members
Ollie's Bargain Night Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Fans
Thu, July 3 Fireworks (Post-game) All Fans