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Orioles Community Report: All-Star Voting starts, player appearances and more.

Friday Fireworks and start of All-Star voting headline homestand

The Orioles kick-off their third homestand of the 2014 regular season with their first Friday Night Fireworks extravaganza tonight, following the final out of the Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals game.

On Sunday, April 27, fans can begin casting their ballots at the ballpark for their favorite Orioles through the Major League Baseball All-Star Balloting Program presented by Firestone. Fans will be able to cast their All-Star ballots at Oriole Park at Camden Yards or online through www.orioles.com/voteorange. In 2013, Orioles fans elected CHRIS DAVIS, ADAM JONES, and J.J. HARDY as starters on the American League All-Star Team at the Midsummer Classic in New York.

IN THE COMMUNITY

BUD NORRIS AT MODELL'S SPORTING GOODS STORE IN ARUNDEL MILLS

Pitcher BUD NORRIS will make an appearance at the Modell's Sporting Goods store in Arundel Mills on Saturday, April 26 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Norris will be signing autographs and greeting fans. The event is free of charge and open to the public. The store is located at 7000 Arundel Mills Circle.

TOMMY HUNTER AT AT&T STORE IN COLUMBIA, MD

Pitcher TOMMY HUNTER will make an appearance at the AT&T store in Columbia on Saturday, April 26 from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Hunter will sign autographs and greet fans. The event is free of charge and open to the public. The store is located at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite #237.

CHRIS DAVIS VISIT TO CHRISTIAN YOUTH ATHLETICS

First baseman CHRIS DAVIS will visit with children from the Christian Youth Athletics program on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Davis will speak to the children and then will participate as the designated pitcher for the league's opening game. Christian Youth Athletics provides youth with an opportunity to play competitive sports in a positive environment. This event is not open to media coverage or to the public.

JONES RECEIVES CHAMPION FOR YOUTH AWARD

Adam Jones was honored with the Champion for Youth Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore (BGCMB) for his service and commitment in support of Baltimore's children. Jones' time, resources, and unwavering support to the children of Metro Baltimore were recognized in a ceremony on Thursday, April 24 at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards. "Jones is an exemplary role model for our youth and a true example of what it means to give back to the community," said KENNETH R. DARDEN, President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore. "We are just as proud that Adam's efforts on behalf of children extends beyond what he has done for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs. He continues to be a champion and a positive role model for thousands of young people in Baltimore."

AT THE BALLPARK

CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCHES

On Friday, April 25, the undisputed UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, RONDA ROUSEY, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Rousey, 9-0 as a professional, is in town for UFC®172, this Saturday, April 26 at the Baltimore Arena, the first ever UFC event in the city.

On Tuesday, April 29, Towson University running back TERRANCE WEST will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. As a junior in 2013, West finished with a Football Championship Series-record 2,509 rushing yards and 41 rushing scores, earning multiple All-American honors and finishing third in the voting for the Walter Payton Award. West helped lead Towson to an appearance in the FCS Championship Game.

On Wednesday, April 30, Maryland State Senator FRANK KELLY will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Senator Kelly will be at the ballpark with DR. THOMAS SCALEA, Physician-in-Chief at the R. Adam Cowley Shock Trauma Center. For the 2014 season, University of Maryland Medical Center has teamed up with Kelly & Associates Insurance Group for the "Saves for Shock Trauma" program, in which Kelly & Associates Insurance Group and Kelly Exchange will donate $1,000 for every Orioles save. Since 1996, Kelly and Associates Insurance Group has donated over $750,000 to Shock Trauma.

ALL-STAR VOTING KICK-OFF CEREMONY

On Sunday, April 27, the Major League Baseball All-Star Balloting Program presented by Firestone will begin. Over the next eight weeks, fans around the world will have a chance to take part in one of the game's greatest traditions by casting their vote to select the starting lineups for this year's Midsummer Classic. To officially launch the Baltimore Orioles 2014 Firestone All-Star Balloting program, Firestone representative GREG QUADE, President of Southern Tire, will cast this season's first ballots during a pre-game ceremony. Fans can cast a ballot for their All-Stars at the ballpark or online, at www.orioles.com/voteorange. Orioles fans are strongly encouraged to vote early, vote often and Vote Orange!

LITTLE LEAGUE DAY #1

On Sunday, April 27, 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 first of three Little League Days to be held at the ballpark.

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, April 27, military members from the Warrior Events will enjoy the game vs. the Kansas City Royals from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with CHRIS TILLMAN and MATT WIETERS, 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 winner is SABA FAYYAZI, an eight-year old from Cockeysville, 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, April 25           Arthritis Foundation (Gate D) and Maryland SPCA (Gate H)

Sat, April 26          Pets with Disabilities (Gate D) and Maryland SPCA (Gate H)

Sun, April 27         Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation

Tues, April 29        National Kidney Foundation of Maryland

Wed, April 30        Thankful Paws

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, TROY PATTON, 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, April 25

Charles Carrol Barrister Elementary

150

Matt Wieters

Sat, April 26

North Side Baptist Church

150

Brian Matusz

Sun, April 27

Brooklyn Park Middle School

150

J.J. Hardy

Tues, April 29

Shutdown Academy

150

Chris Tillman

Wed, April 30

Christian Youth Athletics

150

Chris Davis

 

GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS

DATE

ITEM/OFFER

SPONSOR

ELIGIBILITY

Fri, April 25

AT&T Student Night

AT&T

Any student with a school I.D.

 

Fireworks

 

All Fans

Sat, April 26

Junior Orioles Dugout Club Day

 

Dugout Club members

Sun, April 27

Little League Day #1

 

Pre-registered Little Leaguers

Tues, April 29

Ollie's Bargain Night

Ollie's Bargain Outlet

All Fans

Wed, April 30

"I Like Our Guys" T-shirt

 

All Fans

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