Orioles Community Report: Orioles 60th Anniversary celebration, BARCS Animal Shelter autograph signing, and more highlight homestand
ORIOLES TO CELEBRATE 60TH ANNIVERSARY TONIGHT
Today, the Orioles will celebrate their 60th Anniversary season in Baltimore with a series of events before, during, and after their game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Orioles will welcome back 23 Orioles Hall of Famers who will take part in today's festivities. Expected to attend are Orioles Legends EDDIE MURRAY, JIM PALMER, CAL RIPKEN, JR., BROOKS ROBINSON, and FRANK ROBINSON as well as the following Orioles Hall of Famers: BRADY ANDERSON, MIKE BORDICK, DON BUFORD,AL BUMBRY, DOUG DeCINCES, RICK DEMPSEY, DICK HALL, CHRIS HOILES,BILL HUNTER, DENNIS MARTINEZ, TIPPY MARTINEZ, SCOTT McGREGOR, GREGG OLSON, MILT PAPPAS, BOOG POWELL, KEN SINGLETON, B.J. SURHOFF, and EDDIE WATT.
During a special pre-game ceremony, the Orioles will honor long-time Season Plan Holders who have been with the club since the inaugural 1954 season. The Orioles will also recognize the Oriole Advocates organization for hosting the sold-out 60th Anniversary luncheon, which will honor members of the Orioles Hall of Fame this afternoon.
The Orioles will wear 1954 replica throwback uniforms during the game which will later be autographed, authenticated, and auctioned off at www.orioles.com/auction to raise funds to benefit the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation. The online auction will begin tonight at 7:05 p.m. and end on Friday, August 15 at 11:59 p.m.
Following the game, the Orioles Hall of Famers will be introduced on the field during a laser light and fireworks display, featuring highlights from the Orioles' 60 years in Baltimore that will be displayed on the Oriole Park video boards and the side of the B&O Warehouse. Jerseys autographed by the former Orioles players will also be available through the online auction to benefit the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation.
BARCS ANIMAL SHELTER AUTOGRAPH SIGNING, CALENDAR SALE
The Orioles announced that the sixth annual Orioles Pet Calendar will go on sale August 12, with the proceeds to benefit the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), a non-profit shelter that accepts and cares for all animals in need and promotes responsible pet ownership for a more humane community in Baltimore City.
The 16-month calendar features photos of Orioles players with their personal pets and various BARCS animals at notable locations around the city of Baltimore, including the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, the Hippodrome Theatre, the U.S.S. Constellation, and the American Visionary Art Museum. The 2015 calendar will be available for $15 at Oriole Park, the Orioles Team Store in the York Galleria in York, PA, and at www.orioles.com/petcalendar.
In an effort to help further support BARCS' efforts to find safe homes for dogs and cats in the area, Orioles players J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, DAVID LOUGH, BUD NORRIS, and MATT WIETERS will appear at BARCS (301 Stockholm Street) for an autograph signing from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on August 12. Fans must purchase a calendar at the event in order to receive an autograph, and fans attending the event may park for free in Lot D on the south side of M&T Bank Stadium.
Sales of the 2014 calendar raised over $51,000 for BARCS, and over the last few years, the Orioles have helped raise over $150,000 for the organization.
The largest companion animal shelter in Maryland, BARCS takes in over 12,000 dogs and cats and 1,000 wildlife and other small mammals annually. On any given day, BARCS cares for 110 dogs and 110 cats in the shelter, plus more than 800 animals in foster care.
IN THE COMMUNITY
JONATHAN SCHOOP TEAM STORE AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
On Monday, August 11, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, JONATHAN SCHOOP will sign autographs and greet fans at the Orioles Team Store at the York Galleria Mall located at 2899 Whiteford Road in York, PA. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
The American Red Cross will be hosting a Blood Drive on Monday, August 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville located at 800 South Rolling Road. All presenting donors will receive a voucher for one (1) ticket to an upcoming Orioles home game. For more information on the Blood Drive or to schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org/orioles or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
AT THE BALLPARK
MLBPAA SILENT AUCTION
Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will be hosting a silent auction near Gates E and G from August 11-13. The auction will start when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. and closes at the end of the fifth inning. Proceeds from the silent auction benefit MLBPAA and The Orioles Charitable Foundation.
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, August 10, military members from the 3rd Battalion 166th Regiment, Army Instructors will enjoy the game against the St. Louis Cardinals from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with ZACH BRITTON and CHRIS TILLMAN, 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. to 6:30 p.m. On Monday, August 11, MILT PAPPAS, AL BUMBRY, TIPPY MARTINEZ, and CHRIS HOILES will greet fans and sign autographs.
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 Ann Boarman, a 7-year-old from Woodstock, MD and this Tuesday's contestant is Juan Quintero, a 10-year-old from Baltimore, MD.
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:
Fri, Aug 8 - Thankful Paws
Sat, Aug 9 - Babe Ruth Foundation
Sun, Aug 10 - Give Kids the World
Mon, Aug 11 - American Red Cross
Tues, Aug 12 - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Maryland Chapter
Wed, Aug 13 - Promises for Parkinson's
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:
Fri, Aug 8 - North Point Village Association (150) - Nick Markakis
Sat, Aug 9 - Teen Haven (150) - J.J. Hardy
Sun, Aug 10 - Zone 16 Family & Friends Day Association (150) - Chris Davis
Mon, Aug 11 - St. Wenceslaus Church (150) - Adam Jones
Tues, Aug 12 - NAACP (150) - Wei-Yin Chen
Wed, Aug 13 - Holy Nativity (150) - Brian Matusz
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
Fri, Aug 8
60th Anniversary Celebration, All Fans
Fireworks and Laser Show
AT&T Student Night, Any Student with a School I.D. sponsored by AT&T
Sat, Aug 9
Wild Bill Cowboy Hat, First 20,000 Fans (15 & over)
Tues, Aug 12
Ollie's Bargain Night, All Fans sponsored by Ollie's Bargain Outlet