Orioles Community Report: Challenger Baseball Fantasy Camp, Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk,
ORIOLES, ORIOLE ADVOCATES TO HOLD CHALLENGER BASEBALL FANTASY CAMP THIS SATURDAY
On Saturday, August 2, Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball, in conjunction with the Baltimore Orioles, will hold a Fantasy Camp for Kids at Freedom Field in Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena, MD. The clinic provides Challenger Baseball players the opportunity to learn baseball skills from current Orioles BUD NORRIS and RYAN FLAHERTY and former Orioles AL BUMBRY and LARRY SHEETS.
The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a variety of clinics providing over 40 Challenger Baseball players from Anne Arundel County, Frederick, Catonsville, and Parkville the opportunity to learn pitching, throwing, catching, and fielding skills. Each child will also receive a personalized replica Majestic Orioles Jersey, autographs, and promotional items.
Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball (OACB) is a program of the Charitable Foundation of the Oriole Advocates in collaboration with the Baltimore Orioles. OACB provides assistance to Challenger baseball teams in Maryland, northern Virginia, and southern Pennsylvania. These teams come from Little League, county recreation programs, Miracle League, and local community programs with the mission of providing children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to enjoy the experience of playing baseball.
Further information about Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball can be found at www.OrioleAdvocates.org.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES AND AWARDS
ORIOLES RECEIVE WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER BALTIMORE TOURISM VISIONARY AWARD
Earlier today, Baltimore City Mayor STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE and Visit Baltimore President and CEO, TOM NOONAN, presented the Orioles with the William Donald Schaefer Baltimore Tourism Visionary Award. The award, accepted by Orioles ownership representative LOUIS ANGELOS, recognizes the positive economic impact the Orioles have had on the tourism industry for the City of Baltimore.
JONES HONORED AS ORIOLES' WINNER OF HEART AND HUSTLE AWARD
On Wednesday, July 30, ADAM JONES will be recognized prior to the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as the Orioles' nominee for the 2014 Heart and Hustle Award. Selected by a committee of Orioles alumni organized by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, Jones will be honored as the current Orioles player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit, and tradition of the game. Jones will be presented the award from Orioles Hall of Famer, MIKE BORDICK.
The Heart and Hustle Award is the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players. A representative is selected from each of the 30 MLB teams, and fans, all Alumni, and active players will vote to select the final winner from the 30 nominees later this season.
MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR FIRST PITCH
The Maryland Teacher of the Year Program is the state's premiere teacher recognition and teaching ambassador program. The year's winner, SEAN McCOMB, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Sunday, August 3 before the Orioles take on the Seattle Mariners. McComb, who was awarded the 2014 National Teacher of the Year title in May at a White House celebration and recognition by PRESIDENT OBAMA, teaches English and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, a rigorous course path focused on college-readiness, the admission process, and graduation at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts in Dundalk, MD. He coached indoor track and tennis, became a lead-writer for Baltimore County English curricula, presented numerous professional development workshops, and served as a chaperone for the immersive, two-month BCPS China Cultural Exchange Program.
SUMMER READING CLUB
On Sunday, August 3, the Orioles will welcome the 2014 Summer Reading Representatives from all the counties in Maryland. These students represent over 180,000 children all over Maryland who participated in the 2014 Summer Reading Club, "Fizz, Boom, Read." The students registered at their local public libraries and completed the reading log by reading books, graphic novels, or magazines. The Orioles supported the 2014 Summer Reading Club by donating more than 7,000 tickets distributed to every library branch in Maryland. The Summer Reading Club is a cooperative project between local public libraries, such as Enoch Pratt Free Library and Baltimore County Public Library, the Maryland State Department of Education, and the Division of Library Development and Services, with funds from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
IN THE COMMUNITY
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
The American Red Cross will be hosting a Blood Drive on Thursday, July 31 from 2:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Summer Manor Banquet Facility located at 510 Monkton Road. All presenting donors will receive a voucher for one ticket to an upcoming Orioles home game. For more information on the Blood Drive or to schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org/orioles or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
ORIOLES REACH, NICK & CHRISTINA MARKAKIS PARTNER WITH CASEY CARES FOUNDATION
FOR 5K RUN/WALK AT ORIOLE PARK THIS SATURDAY
The Orioles and OriolesREACH have partnered with the Casey Cares Foundation to host the fifth annual Casey Cares 5K run/walk at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, August 2. Orioles right fielder NICK MARKAKIS, and his wife, CHRISTINA, will serve as race ambassadors. KEITH MILLS, Sports Director of 98 Rock and WBAL Radio, will be the event's emcee.
Registration for the race is open now through August 2, and both teams and individuals are encouraged to register. Entry fees are $35 per person through August 1 or $40 on race day. To register, visit www.caseycares5k.org. All proceeds of the 5K will benefit the Casey Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides personalized, uplifting, and ongoing programs with a special touch to critically ill children and their family members throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
AT THE BALLPARK
MLBPAA SILENT AUCTION
Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will be hosting a silent auction near Gate E from July 29-31. The auction will start when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. and closes at the end of the fifth inning. Proceeds from the silent auction benefit MLBPAA and The Orioles Charitable Foundation.
CHEVY YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC
On Wednesday, July 30, the Orioles will host the third and final "Chevy Youth Baseball Clinic" taking place at Oriole Park this summer. One hundred pre-selected children from the surrounding Baltimore metro area will take the field from 10:00 a.m. to noon and will be instructed in a variety of baseball-related skills including baserunning, batting off of a tee, fielding, and pitching from former Orioles including CHRIS HOILES, AL BUMBRY, and LARRY SHEETS. Participants will receive hot dogs, pretzels, and beverages provided by the Orioles. Each participant will also receive two tickets to that night's game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
KIDS RUN THE BASES (EXCLUSIVELY FOR DUGOUT CLUB MEMBERS)
Following their game on Sunday, August 3 against the Seattle Mariners, the Orioles and OriolesREACH will host a Kids Run the Bases event on the field at Oriole Park, exclusively for Junior Orioles Dugout Club members. Dugout Club members are invited to line up outside of Gate D beginning at the top of the eighth inning to go on-field and run the bases after the game. Registration is not necessary and there is no charge to participate in the event.
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, August 3, military members from the USO will enjoy the game against the Seattle Mariners from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with CHRIS DAVIS and TOMMY HUNTER, 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. to 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, July 31, LARRY BIGBIE, MIKE TROMBLEY, and JOE DURHAM will greet fans and sign autographs.
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. This Sunday's contestant is Liam O'Connor from Columbia, 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
Tue, July 29 National Kidney Foundation of Maryland
Wed, July 30 American Red Cross
Thur, July 31 Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation
Fri, August 1 Operation Paws for Homes
Sat, August 2 deletebloodcancer.org
Sun, August 3 Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation