Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game and press conference
The Orioles will host the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game press conference at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday, June 11 on the fourth floor of the Warehouse beginning at noon. Orioles Legend BROOKS ROBINSON will be on hand at the press conference to help announce and introduce the players, alternates, and coaches from across the state of Maryland who have been selected to play in the game on Sunday, June 15 at Oriole Park, which will take place following the Orioles' 1:35 p.m. game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game is a showcase for the best high school baseball players across Maryland. The game, which is sponsored by Geier Financial Group, will feature the best players from Maryland's northern half versus the best players from the southern half of the state. Geier Financial Group, based in Marriottsville, MD, has sponsored the game for the past 11 years to celebrate the legacy of Brooks Robinson and salute Maryland's best youth baseball players.
The Orioles have hosted the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game for 32 years, providing accommodations for the press conference, field use for the players, game tickets, and recognition of the student-athletes in an on-field pre-game ceremony.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES AND INITIATIVES
MICHAEL TULLY FIRST PITCH
On Saturday, June 7, the writer and director of the movie Ping Pong Summer, MICHAEL TULLY, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Tully, a UMBC graduate who grew up in Mount Airy, wrote and directed the film that opens in select theatres today and won the Sarasota Film Festival's Audience Award. Ping Pong Summer is set and filmed in Ocean City, MD and has been featured at the Sundance Movie Festival, South by Southwest® Conferences and Festivals, and the Rotterdam Film Festival in Holland.
ARMY BIRTHDAY CEREMONIES
On Saturday, June 14, the Orioles will celebrate Flag Day and the Army's birthday. Pre-game ceremonies will include a swearing-in ceremony for 25 future Army members, while COL. JOHN PETKOSEK, commander for the Asymmetric Warfare Group, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Asymmetric Warfare Group is a United States Army special mission unit headquartered at Fort Meade and created during the War on Terrorism to mitigate various threats with regard to asymmetric warfare.
IN THE COMMUNITY
ORIOLES TO HOST BALTIMORE CITY YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC
On Saturday, June 7, the Orioles will conduct their annual Baltimore City Youth Baseball Clinic at Carroll Park, located at 1500 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ADAM JONES, Orioles first base coach WAYNE KIRBY and former Orioles AL BUMBRY, KEN DIXON and BILL SWAGGERTY will be on hand to help teach baseball to 300 inner city youth, most of whom are involved in the Orioles RBI program. In addition to receiving baseball training, each child will enjoy refreshments provided by Orioles' corporate sponsor ESSKAY. The Orioles will also donate 600 tickets to clinic participants for a future Orioles game. This event is open to media coverage.
PLAY SUN SMART CEREMONY
On Sunday, June 8, ISABELLA BERGMAN and CHRISTOPHER KOKOSKI, two little leaguers from the Severna Park Green Hornets, will be escorted by Orioles Assistant Athletic Trainer BRIAN EBEL and deliver 50 bottles of sunscreen to each dugout prior to the 1:35 p.m. game vs. the Oakland Athletics. On Sunday June 8, Play Sun Smart will commence its season-long program to raise skin cancer awareness, while encouraging player and fans to practice sun-safe behavior and to schedule regular screenings.
For 16 years the American Academy of Dermatology and MLB have teamed up to educate players and the public on the importance of sun safety.
PLAY CLINIC
On Tuesday, June 10 at 11:00 a.m., DAVID LOUGH and members of the Orioles training staff, in conjunction with the PLAY Campaign, will welcome 80 youth from Baltimore City Schools to Oriole Park. PLAY, which stands for Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth, is a public awareness campaign of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS), in conjunction with the Taylor Hooton Foundation. The PLAY campaign combats childhood obesity and promotes healthy living and decision-making among young people throughout the country. Lough will speak to the youth about making smart life choices, avoiding drugs, and living a more active and healthy lifestyle. The Orioles will also provide PLAY clinic participants with 160 tickets to attend the 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Boston Red Sox that night. This event is open to media coverage.
ZACH BRITTON TEAM STORE AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
On Friday, June 13 from noon to 1:00 p.m., ZACH BRITTON 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.
ORIOLES PARTNER WITH THE FRANCISCAN CENTER, INC. TO HOST "GAME NIGHT"
On June 17, as part of its ongoing commitment to making Baltimore a better place in which to live and work, the Orioles have partnered with the Franciscan Center, Inc. to host a "Game Night" event and evening meal at the Franciscan Center, Inc. for poor and hungry men, women, and children in our community from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The goal of "Game Night" is to provide a hot, healthy evening meal to our neighbors in need and give them an opportunity to enjoy an Orioles away game as well as to raise awareness of the Franciscan Center's work on behalf of Baltimore's most vulnerable citizens. ANGELA SHOWALTER will be one of the wives in attendance helping to serve food and distribute promotional items.
The Franciscan Center, Inc. has served the Baltimore community since 1968, providing food, closing, and a range of emergency financial assistance and supportive outreach designed to help area families and individuals stabilize their lives in times of crisis as well as move forward toward self-sufficiency.
This event is open to the media. The Franciscan Center, Inc. is located at 101 West 23rd Street
Baltimore, MD 21218.
AT THE BALLPARK
PITCH, HIT, AND RUN TOURNAMENT
On Saturday, June 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Orioles will host the Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit, and Run Tournament at Oriole Park. The top 16 qualifiers from Maryland and Virginia will compete in hopes of advancing to the National Finals at the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Minnesota's Target Field. Later in the day, the participants will be honored in an on-field, pre-game ceremony. The Orioles will also provide tickets to those participating in the tournament for that night's 7:15 p.m. game vs. the Oakland Athletics. This event is open to the media.
LITTLE LEAGUE DAY #3
On Sunday, June 8, approximately 6,000 pre-registered youth baseball players will participate in a pre-game parade around the warning track and be greeted by Orioles players as they walk by the dugout. Teams, dressed in their uniforms, will carry banners and wave to their family members as they round the field. This is the third and final Little League Day to be held at the ballpark this season.
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 8, military members of the 70 ISRW Chaplain Corps Airmen Dorm Ministry will enjoy the game vs. the Oakland Athletics from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with MATT WIETERS and CHRIS TILLMAN, and receive a player T-shirt. On Sunday, June 15, military members from the Yellow Ribbon Fund will enjoy the game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with CHRIS DAVIS and DARREN O'DAY, 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 9, CHRIS HOILES, NATE SNELL, and JOHN MILLER will greet fans and sign autographs. On Thursday, June 12, TOMMY DAVIS, TIM NORDBROOK, and BILL SWAGGERTY will greet fans and sign autographs.
SHANNON'S FUND FUNDRAISING EVENT
On Saturday, June 14, the Orioles will host a private, exclusive fundraising event for Shannon's Fund from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For $50, fans will enjoy batting practice from the Roof Deck beyond centerfield, a visit from former Orioles MIKE BORDICK, BRADY ANDERSON, and DAVE JOHNSON, photos with the Oriole Bird, light refreshments, an Orioles gift bag, a left field lower box seat, and every fan 14 and under will receive an Oriole Bird Plush Pillow. Fans interested in attending should call 888-848-BIRD or visit orioles.com/shannonsfund to purchase tickets. A silent auction will also be held by Gate E until 6:00 p.m.
In 2008, the Orioles and OriolesREACH established Shannon's Fund, an endowment at the University of Maryland Medical Center to provide financial assistance to hospital patients and their families. Created in memory of Shannon Obaker, the Orioles' former Director of Community Outreach who bravely fought cancer for over a year before passing away in 2007 at the age of 29, Shannon's Fund is administered by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Funds are donated to patients and their family members as need arises to assist with the general expenses associated with the treatment process including hospital parking, alternative housing, food costs, and household bills.
ORIOLES FATHER'S DAY CATCH ON THE FIELD
The Orioles will host their second annual Father's Day Catch on the Field on Sunday, June 15 prior to the 1:35 p.m. game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. The sold out event includes a pair of tickets to Sunday's game and a 25-minute pre-game session of catch on the Oriole Park field. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit OriolesREACH and the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation. The 2014 event raised $33,600 to benefit OriolesREACH and will include three sessions to accommodate the tremendous turnout.
DREAM WEEK REUNION
Participants from the 2014 Orioles Dream Week in Sarasota, FL will reunit again on Saturday, June 21 for their reunion games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The three games, which are not open to the general public, will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the championship game between (CHRIS) HOILE's Hunks and (GARY) ROENICKE's Raiders starting at 2:00 p.m. Nearly all 72 participants in this year's Dream Week are expected to return for the reunion, which will begin the night before with dinner at Dempsey's Brew Pub and Restaurant.
The Dream Week experience brings together men and women age 30 and over for six days of baseball and camaraderie in late January at the Orioles minor league facility at Twin Lakes Park and their spring training facility at Ed Smith Stadium. Orioles alumni, including former catcher Chris Hoiles and former outfielder Gary Roenicke, serve as coaches and provide instruction that campers can use not only during the week, but in adult leagues back home or to pass along to youth teams they coach. Social events including autograph sessions are part of the week as well.
Before the championship game, two games will be played between MIKE BODDICKER's "Bodd Squad" and (RICK) DEMPSEY's Dippers as well as between BOBBY "ROCKY" JOHNSON and "Diamond" JIM GENTILE's Rock's Diamonds and MIKE DEVEREAUX's Devo's Desperado's. This event is closed to the media and public.
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.
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, June 6 Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue
Sat, June 7 Basset Rescue of the Old Dominion
Sun, June 8 Oriole Advocates
Mon, June 9 Easter Seals Camp Fairlee
Tue, June 10 Fidos For Freedom
Wed, June 11 Vehicle for Change
Thur, June 12 Black Dogs & Company Rescue, Inc.
Fri, June 13 SoldierFit
Sat, June 14 Babe Ruth Foundation
Sun, June 15 The Sighthound Underground
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
Fri, June 6 Walter P. Carter Elementary School 150 Wei-Yin Chen
Sat, June 7 Sarah M. Roach Elementary School 150 Chris Tillman
Sun, June 8 S.P.R.O.U.T. 150 J.J. Hardy
Mon, June 9 Logan Elementary School 150 Brian Matusz
Tue, June 10 Charlesmont Elementary & Crossroads 150 Chris Davis
School
Wed, June 11 Woodholme Elementary School 150 Wei-Yin Chen
Thur, June 12 Mount Washington After School 150 Chris Tillman
Program & Living Classrooms
Fri, June 13 Operation Timothy 150 Adam Jones
Sat, June 14 Greencastle Elementary School 150 J.J. Hardy
Sun, June 15 Waverly Elementary/Middle School 150 Chris Davis
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
DATE ITEM/OFFER SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
Fri, June 6 AT&T Student Night AT&T Any student with a school I.D.
Orioles Sunglasses Visit Sarasota County First 15,000 fans 15 & over
Sat, June 7 Manny Machado First 25,000 fans 15 & over
Bobblehead
Sun, June 8 Little League Day #3 Modell's Sporting Pre-registered Little Leaguers
Goods
Tue, June 10 Ollie's Bargain Night Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Fans
Wed, June 11 The Oriole Way T-shirt All Fans
Fri, June 13 AT&T Student Night AT&T Any student with a school I.D.
Fireworks All Fans
Sat, June 14 Oriole Bird Plush Pillow First 10,000 Fans 14 & under
Sun, June 15 Junior Orioles Dugout Dugout Club members
Club Day
Father's Day Fedora Hat First 20,000 men 18 & over