Orioles Community Report: Fan Appreciation Celebration and more highlight final 2014 regular season series at Oriole Park
As a "thank you" to fans for their support throughout the 2014 season, the Orioles will hold their annual Fan Appreciation Celebration during the final series of the regular season when they host the Boston Red Sox for three games, Friday, September 19 through Sunday, September 21 at Oriole Park.
The three-day celebration includes the chance for fans to be selected at random to win unique opportunities including Fan of the Game contests, the popular "Shirts Off Our Backs" promotion, the chance to take the field with Orioles players for the National Anthem, and more.
Fans are encouraged to wear Orioles clothing and arrive at the ballpark early each day. Eutaw Street will open two hours before game time and the entire ballpark will be open 90 minutes before the start of each game.
A complete list of Fan Appreciation Celebration activities, events, and prizes is listed below.
FRIDAY
60th ANNIVERSARY MOSAIC PRINT
The first 15,000 fans 15 and over on Friday, September 19 will receive an Orioles 60th Anniversary Mosaic Print featuring photos submitted by fans throughout the year based on designated themes including ballpark experiences, family, ballpark food, throwback photos, and memorabilia as a part of the #OsInstaMemories project. A complete gallery of photos can be viewed on www.orioles.com/60.
FANS TAKE THE FIELD FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
On Friday, September 19, nine fans will be randomly selected to take the field and stand with an Orioles player during the National Anthem.
POST-GAME FIREWORKS
Following Friday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox, fans will enjoy the final fireworks display of the regular season.
SATURDAY
ORIOLES KNIT CAP
The first 20,000 fans through the gates on Saturday, September 20 when the Orioles host the Boston Red Sox will receive an Orioles Knit Cap.
TRADING PLACES
On Saturday, September 20, fans should keep an eye out pre-game for Orioles players who will be making appearances throughout Oriole Park and interacting with fans by performing various ballpark jobs.
SUNDAY
CHRIS TILLMAN AT&T FANS' CHOICE BOBBLEHEAD
On Sunday, September 21, the first 25,000 fans will receive a CHRIS TILLMAN bobblehead. Tillman was selected as the AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead earlier in the season. Fans are invited to visit www.orioles.com/bobblehead to see a video featuring Tillman thanking the fans for voting him as the AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead.
SHIRTS OFF OUR BACKS PROMOTION
Also on Sunday, September 21, fans will be chosen at random to go onto the field prior to the game to receive the shirts off the back of an Orioles player. Players will autograph their game-worn jerseys and send them to the chosen fans once the season is completed.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES
BOB FELLER ACT OF VALOR AWARD
Prior to the September 21 game against the Boston Red Sox, DARREN O'DAY will be presented with the 2014 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.
The annual Bob Feller Act of Valor Award was created in 2013 with the support of the United States Navy, Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the Battleship USS Alabama, and the gracious consent of Mrs. ANNE FELLER. It honors three individuals that reflect the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that BOB FELLER himself possessed. The award is presented to one U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, one Baseball Hall of Fame member, and one active Major League Baseball player.
MOST VALUABLE ORIOLE
In a pre-game ceremony on Sunday, September 21, the Orioles will honor the 2014 Most Valuable Oriole as selected by local media. Baltimore and Washington chapter of BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) Vice Chairman DAN CONNOLLY will present the award.
AT THE BALLPARK
ANHEUSER-BUSCH AND ORIOLES CELEBRATE GLOBAL BE(ER) RESPONSIBLE DAY
On Friday, September 19, Anheuser-Busch and the Orioles will celebrate Global Be(er) Responsible Day and remind adults of the importance of Budweiser's message in every bottle: Designate a driver and enjoy the great times whenever alcohol is involved. Whether you call a cab or rely on a friend, designating a driver is part of drinking responsibly, and planning ahead to get home safe is important every day. A message from Budweiser, the Orioles, and Oriole Park at Camden Yards, who remind you to always designate a driver. Fans who wish to be recognized as a designated driver, stop by Anheuser-Busch's table on Eutaw Street.
LUNGevity FOUNDATION'S BREATHE DEEP BALTIMORE
On Saturday, September 20, the Orioles will host the LUNGevity Foundation's Breathe Deep Baltimore, a walk to raise funds and awareness for lung cancer in memory of the Orioles' late Public Relations Director, MONICA PENCE BARLOW. Registration will begin at 7:00 a.m. and the walk will start at 9:00 a.m. from Oriole Park at Camden Yards. All proceeds from the walk will benefit the LUNGevity Foundation, a non-profit firmly committed to making an immediate impact on increasing quality of life and survivorship of people with lung cancer by accelerating research into early detection and more effective treatments, as well as providing community, support, and education for all those affected by the disease.
Barlow was the Orioles' Public Relations Director and a member of the Orioles organization for 14 years. She passed away in February of this year after a four and a half year battle with non-small cell lung cancer. She was very active with the LUNGevity Foundation, raising funds and awareness through interviews and walks.
The LUNGevity Foundation will also hold a silent auction during Saturday's game between Gates D and E featuring various pieces of Orioles memorabilia.
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, military members from the Air Force Sergeants Association will enjoy the game against the Boston Red Sox from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with TOMMY HUNTER and CHRIS TILLMAN, and receive a player T-shirt.
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 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:
DATE ORGANIZATION
Fri, Sept 19 Share Our Strength
Sat, Sept 20 LUNGevity Foundation
Sun, Sept 21 Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum & Sports Legends Museum
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, 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
Fri, Sept 19 Bollman Bridge Elementary School 150 Nick Markakis
Sat, Sept 20 James Mosher Little League 150 Tommy Hunter
Sun, Sept 21 Berkshire Elementary School 150 Chris Tillman
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
DATE ITEM/OFFER SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
Fri, Sept 19 AT&T Student Night AT&T Any Student with a School I.D.
Fireworks (post-game) All Fans
60th Anniversary First 15,000 Fans (15 and over)
Mosaic Print
Sat, Sept 20 Orioles Knit Cap First 20,000 Fans (15 and over)
Sun, Sept 21 Chris Tillman AT&T First 25,000 Fans
Fan's Choice Bobblehead