Orioles treat young fans with first Kids' Opening Day

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles hosted their first-ever Kids' Opening Day on Sunday, a celebration filled with fun activities and unique game-day opportunities.

Kids' Opening Day treated the first 7,500 fans age 14 and under to an Orioles braided rope necklace. All younger fans also were invited to run the bases, following the O's 10-7 loss to the Blue Jays.

• Photos from Kids' Opening Day

Eleven of the rope necklace giveaways were specially marked with an Orange Ticket containing a prize: nine children received a ticket allowing them to take the field with the Orioles starters for the national anthem; one child helped deliver the lineup card during the pregame exchange at home plate; and one child, Thomas -- who was celebrating his 10th birthday -- threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.

There was plenty of in-game entertainment for children, including the "Tweet for a Bird Visit" promotion in which fans tweeted for the chance to have the Oriole Bird deliver a prize pack to their seats. Children were strongly encouraged to show their Orioles spirit with costumes and signs, and some of the most festive fans got Orioles autographed items for their efforts.