30th annual Orioles Reach Food & Funds Drive highlights 10-game homestand

The homestand will feature several special events including the 30th annual OriolesREACH Food & Funds Drive presented by MASN and WJZ-TV to benefit the Maryland Food Bank, as well as Memorial Day ceremonies, the MLB Pitch Hit & Run championship at Oriole Park, and the annual Baltimore City Youth Clinic.

May 26th, 2016

The Orioles will open a 10-game homestand on Memorial Day -- Monday, May 30 -- when they host the Boston Red Sox at 1:35 p.m. ET. The homestand will feature several special events including the 30th annual OriolesREACH Food & Funds Drive presented by MASN and WJZ-TV to benefit the Maryland Food Bank, as well as Memorial Day ceremonies, the MLB Pitch Hit & Run championship at Oriole Park, and the annual Baltimore City Youth Clinic. The Orioles' engaging promotional calendar continues with all fans receiving an Orioles T-shirt on Memorial Day and the first 20,000 fans ages 15 and over receiving an Orioles Golf Umbrella, presented by Visit Sarasota County, on Tuesday, June 7.
The Orioles along with the Orioles Wives, Oriole Advocates, Von Paris Moving and Storage, and the Maryland Food Bank will hold the 30th annual OriolesREACH Food & Funds Drive, presented by MASN and WJZ-TV, at Oriole Park during the weekend series against the New York Yankees from June 3 through June 5. Representatives from these groups will collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations from fans at every entrance of the ballpark from the time gates open until the end of the second inning. According to the Maryland Food Bank, items most needed at this time are peanut butter, canned chicken, canned tuna, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, and canned fruits and vegetables.
Additionally, Orioles wives and staff will volunteer at the Maryland Food Bank on Wednesday, June 1, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, to sort and pack the food for distribution. Orioles wives and fiancés attending the packing event include Jenae Brach, Jill Davis, Taylor North, Jamie Russell and Angela Showalter
The OriolesREACH Food & Funds Drive benefits soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters throughout Maryland. Last year's food drive collected nearly 7,000 pounds of food and raised more than $37,000 for the Maryland Food Bank. The event has raised more than $91,000 and collected nearly 25,000 pounds of food over the last three years.
 
In The Community
Baltimore City Youth Clinic
The Orioles will partner with the Morgan State University women's softball team to conduct their annual Baltimore City youth baseball and softball clinic on Saturday, June 4, at Carroll Park (2100 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Orioles players Adam Jones, Jonathan Schoop, along with coaches Wayne Kirby and Jett Ruiz, and former Orioles Larry Bigbie, Ken Dixon and Bill Swaggerty will be on hand to help teach baseball and softball to 300 city youth, most of whom are involved in the Orioles RBI program, with support from Morgan State University softball coaches and players. In addition to receiving baseball and softball training, each child will enjoy food and refreshments provided by Esskay. The Orioles will also donate 600 tickets to clinic participants to a future Orioles game. Media interested in covering this event should contact Chris Martrich ([email protected]) to RSVP.
Zach Britton to visit Johns Hopkins Hospital
On Monday, June 6, Orioles pitcher Zach Britton will visit the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Division of Pediatric Oncology to spend time with children battling cancer. This event will not be open to media.
Dylan Bundy to appear at Orioles Team Store in York
On Tuesday, June 7, Orioles pitcher Dylan Bundy will make an appearance at the Orioles Team Store in the York Galleria (2899 Whiteford Rd, York, PA 17402) from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Bundy will sign autographs and greet fans. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
 
At The Ballpark
Memorial Day Recognition
In honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 30, all Orioles uniformed personnel will wear special jerseys and caps featuring a new marine "woodland" camouflage pattern and design licensed by the United States Marine Corps. Each player's authentic, game-worn jersey will be autographed and auctioned on orioles.com/auction beginning May 30, at 1:00 p.m. through June 6, at 10:00 p.m. with proceeds benefiting the Fort Meade Alliance Foundation. The Fort Meade Alliance Foundation will use the donation to help with an anticipated $3.6 million in renovations to a facility on Fort Meade, establishing a Resiliency Center for the entire military community, including Department of Defense employees and contractors. All fans attending that day's 1:35 p.m. game against the Red Sox will receive an Orioles Memorial Day T-shirt.
During the Memorial Day pregame ceremony, Col. Brian Foley, Garrison Commander of U.S. Army Fort Meade 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Air Force Color Guard, provided by the Military District of Washington, will present the colors as nine active service men and women from Fort Meade take the field with Orioles players, during SFC Randy Wight's rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner."
At 3:00 p.m. during the game, the Orioles and Red Sox will join all Major League Baseball clubs in pausing for an extended moment of silence in observance of the National Moment of Remembrance, a cause to honor Americans who have sacrificed their lives in serving our country.
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. On Sunday, June 5, military members from Luke's Wings will enjoy the game against the New York Yankees at 1:35 p.m. from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with Darren O'Day and Matt Wieters, and receive a player T-shirt.
The Orioles extend special offers to members of the military and U.S. veterans throughout the season. On every Sunday home game, the Orioles donate 500 tickets (6,500 over the course of the season) to military members in conjunction with Fort Meade, as part of the Players Give Back program. In addition, hundreds of tickets have been donated to the following military groups so far in 2016: The American Flag Foundation, MCVETS, Operation Homefront, Vietnam Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project and numerous military families. For more information on the Orioles commitment to the military, fans should visit orioles.com/military.
Baltimore RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Program Season Begins
Beginning Wednesday, June 1, the Baltimore RBI Program, which is part of Major League Baseball's RBI initiative, will begin its two-month long season. A mainstay since its inception in 1989, Baltimore RBI has created a partnership with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks to allow at-risk youth an opportunity to play competitive baseball and softball. This season the Baltimore RBI Program will host five softball teams, six 13U baseball teams, eleven 15U baseball teams, and twelve 18U baseball teams.
The Orioles support Baltimore RBI participants in a variety of ways including a recognition ceremony and complimentary tickets to RBI coaches and players. On Saturday, June 4, the Orioles will conduct a clinic for 300 Baltimore City Recreation and Parks youth, including players in Baltimore RBI. Current and former Orioles players will help teach baseball through four stations, highlighting throwing, baserunning, hitting, and fielding. The Orioles will donate tickets to clinic participants for that night's game. Also in 2016, RBI coaches will participate in a Coaches Clinic hosted by Orioles First Base Coach Wayne Kirby to learn fundaments, drills, and best practices in coaching. In addition, RBI coaches will attend a Coaches Workshop through the Positive Coaching Alliance, a Stanford University-based nonprofit organization that works with coaches, organizational leaders, and parents to teach young athletes about teamwork, discipline, respect, and setting proper goals through their athletic experiences. At the conclusion of every season, the Orioles send All-Star teams to Prince George's County to represent Baltimore in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament. The club provides transportation, uniforms, and hotel accommodations.
Baltimore City High School Baseball Champion Recognition
The Orioles will recognize the winner of the Baltimore City High School Championship, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, during a pregame ceremony on Thursday, June 2. Baltimore Polytechnic Institute defeated the defending champion Digital Harbor High School by the score of 7-2 at UMBC's Alumni Field on May 9. The Orioles provided players and coaches of the winning baseball and softball teams with tickets to that night's game.
University of Maryland Basketball Coaches to throw first pitches
On Thursday, June 2, University of Maryland men's basketball head coach, Mark Turgeon, and women's basketball head coach, Brenda Freese, will throw out ceremonial first pitches. Select members of the 2015-16 University of Maryland men's and women's basketball teams will accompany the coaches on the field.
Turgeon enters his sixth season with Maryland after leading the Terrapins to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament in 2016, including their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2003. The Maryland men's basketball team ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 for the entire season and finished the season as the 12th-best team in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Frese has led the Terrapins to three Final Fours, six Elite Eights, seven conference titles, and the 2006 National Championship in her 14 seasons in College Park. She's been named Big Ten Coach of the Year twice and was the Associated Press National Coach of the Year in 2002. In 2016, the Terrapins won the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles for the second straight year with a 31-4 record. Frese has also helped the program to a 100-percent graduation rate.
Nashville Artists to Perform at Oriole Park
During the three-game series against the New York Yankees, the Orioles will host three artists from Nashville, Tenn. to perform at the ballpark. On Friday, June 3, Queen V will perform her original songs and the national anthem prior to the 7:05 p.m. game. Queen V is an independent rock artist currently playing shows in support of her latest EP, "Bridges." On Saturday, June 4, prior to the 7:15 p.m. game against the Yankees, Lane Abernathy will perform original music and the national anthem, in addition to "America the Beautiful" during the seventh-inning stretch. On Sunday, June 5, prior to the 1:35 p.m. game against the Yankees, Matt Warren will perform his original music and the national anthem, as well as "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch. Warren's new, critically-acclaimed record, "Self-titled," was produced by Grammy, CMA and ACM multi-award winning musician and artist Tom Bukovac.
Birdland Community Heroes Program
This season, the Orioles launched the Birdland Community Heroes Program to recognize community heroes who have inspired others through their spirited commitment to extend a hand in charity, service, hope, and harmony. This recognition honors the heroism of members of our extended Orioles community from all walks of life, occupations, and diverse backgrounds living in our region, our country, and abroad, who have distinguished themselves by selflessly working or volunteering in fields that care for, serve, teach, protect, and improve the lives of others, around the corner or around the globe, who are most in need.
Throughout the 2016 season, the Orioles will recognize local Birdland Community Heroes on the scoreboard at Oriole Park, during every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday home game.
June 3 - Jim Breedlove; for his continuous support and dedication to the Maryland Food Bank. Breedlove first joined the Maryland Food Bank as a volunteer in September of 2014, when his daughter suggested he consider taking part in the food bank's volunteer program. Today, Breedlove is a fixture at the food bank, coming in every week and supporting the cause in many ways, including helping at the food bank's community kitchen, packing and preparing food for distribution, and distributing food in the community to those in need.
June 4 - Madison Strempek; for her work in helping children with an incarcerated parent cope with their feelings, family, friends, and school. Strempek, an 11-year-old girl from Crofton, Md., is the author of the No. 1 best-selling book, "Everyone Makes Mistakes: Living with My Daddy in Jail." As an advocate for children with incarcerated parents, Stempek wrote a letter to President Obama asking for criminal justice reform and was recognized by the President for her efforts.
June 5 - Captain Flo Groberg; for receiving the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Groberg was raised in Bethesda, Md. and attended the University of Maryland, College Park. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and again in 2012. Groberg currently resides in the National Capital Region and is a civilian employee of the Department of Defense.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra 100th Year Recognition
On Monday, June 6, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game when the Orioles host the Kansas City Royals, Maestra Marin Alsop from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and conduct the BSO's performance of the national anthem. Fourteen members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's brass and percussion sections will perform a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, as arranged by BSO trombonist Aaron LaVere. Celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2016, the BSO is recognized as one of America's most innovative orchestras and one of Maryland's most significant cultural organizations. Led by their dynamic and visionary Music Director Marin Alsop, the Orchestra is internationally acclaimed and locally admired for its outstanding concerts, recordings, broadcasts, touring, and for its groundbreaking education and community outreach initiatives. The orchestra's centennial season is a celebration of Baltimore, featuring artists with deep relationships with the ensemble and the community; partnerships with peer organizations; signature projects; and commissions of new work tied to the city. To learn more, please visit www.BSOmusic.org.
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. On Monday, May 30, Dave Johnson, Calvin Maduro, and Garrett Stephenson will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, June 2, John Parrish, Aaron Rakers, Sammy Stewart, and Bill Swaggerty will sign autographs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. On Monday, June 6, Ron Hansen, Chris Hoiles and Ken Dixon will sign autographs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
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, a parking pass for the game and an Orioles jersey. The contestants will also get to keep the authentic base that they steal. The winner for Sunday, June 5, is BRANDON HARRIS, a six-year-old from Cordova, Md.
Orioles Reach Community Booth
During each home game, the Orioles provide a community booth for charitable, nonprofit 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:
Orioles Reach Gameday Experience
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 Chris Davis, Yovani Gallardo, Kevin Gausman, J.J. Hardy, Ubaldo Jimenez, Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Chris Tillman, Mark Trumbo and Matt Wieters. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players:

  • May 30 - Chase Elementary School (Manny Machado)
  • May 31 - Chadwick Elementary (Chris Davis)                     
  • June 1 - Charlesmont Elementary (Kevin Gausman)
  • June 2 - Logan Elementary School (Ubaldo Jiménez)
  • June 3 - Brooklyn Park Middle School (Chris Tillman)
  • June 4 - Stepping Toward A New Destiny (Matt Wieters)
  • June 5 - Gaudenzia Chesapeake Region, and Baltimore City Water Mentoring Career Program (Mark Trumbo)
  • June 6 - Sarah M. Roach Elementary (Kevin Gausman)
  • June 7 - Franklin Square Elementary (Manny Machado)
  • June 8 - Wolfe Street Academy (Chris Tillman)