Orioles host Fan Appreciation Celebration September 24-29
As a "thank you" to fans for their support throughout the 2013 season, the Orioles will hold their annual Fan Appreciation Celebration during the final homestand of the regular season when they host the Toronto Blue Jays for three games and the Boston Red Sox for three games, Tuesday, September 24 through Sunday, September 29 at Oriole Park.
The six day celebration includes opportunities for fans to be selected at random to win unique opportunities including on-field visits, Fan of the Game contests, the popular "Shirts Off Our Backs" promotion, the chance to take the field with Orioles players for the National Anthem and more.
Fans are encouraged to wear Orioles clothing and arrive at the ballpark early each day. Eutaw Street will open two hours before game time and the entire ballpark will be open 1 ½ hours before the start of the game. On Sunday, September 29, to accommodate anticipated demand for the Chris Davis AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead, all gates will open two hours prior to gametime at 11:30 a.m.
A complete list of Fan Appreciation Celebration activities, events and prizes is listed below.
TONIGHT
PRIZE INNINGS
Tonight, fans will be randomly chosen throughout the game to win prizes and be featured on the centerfield video board. Prizes include two (2) Southwest Airlines travel vouchers, autographed memorabilia, 2014 Opening Day tickets, and a 13-Game Season Ticket Plan for 2014.
DISCOUNT TICKET OFFER
The Orioles have extended the American Heart Association 50% ticket discount for their series against the Blue Jays, September 24-26. For a $10 donation per ticket to the American Heart Association, fans will receive 50% off all tickets. To take advantage of this offer, fans must visit www.orioles.com/aha.
WEDNESDAY
SOCIAL MEDIA NIGHT
On Wednesday, September 25, the Orioles will host their first ever Social Media Night at Oriole Park. An exclusive pre-game party on the centerfield roof deck will host 250 of the Orioles most avid social media followers, including the top members of the Orioles' social rewards program, O's Birds Nest. The pre-game party will also include a Q&A with Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations DAN DUQUETTE, MASNsports.com writer ROCH KUBATKO and Orioles.com writer BRITTANY GHIROLI. A limited number of tickets to this pre-game event are still available at www.orioles.com/socialmedianight.
Social Media Night will include numerous promotions and prizes for all fans in attendance and following virtually. Some of the promotions are listed below. Fans should visit www.orioles.com/socialmedianight for further details.
"Catch a #Winner"
The Orioles "Catch a #Winner" promotion will occur pre-game during batting practice. Fans who retrieve baseballs that have been stamped "#Winner" can show the baseball at the Orioles Fan Assistance in the Warehouse to receive a prize.
"Tweet-by-Tweet"
For fans at the ballpark and those who are unable to attend, the Orioles official Twitter account will retweet fans who assist with the play-by-play of the game.
"Instasearch"
During the game, the Orioles Instagram account will reveal photo clues to lead fans to a location in the ballpark. The fan who reaches the location first will have a chance to win an autographed item.
"#BringMeFood"
Orioles fans will have a chance to have complimentary food delivered to their seats during the game, just by tweeting #BringMeFood, their desired menu item and their seat location.
Additional promotions will be going on throughout the night both for fans in attendance and those following at home. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Orioles' social accounts for details, announcements and exclusive clues. A complete list of the team's social media platforms is available at www.orioles.com/connect.
THURSDAY
FANS TAKE THE FIELD FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
On Thursday, September 26, nine fans will be randomly selected to take the field and stand with an Orioles player during the National Anthem.
FAN DESIGNED T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY
For the first time, the Orioles held a contest to allow a fan to design a team giveaway. Fans were asked to submit t-shirt designs, and members of the Orioles front office chose the top three (of the more than 500 entries) to be voted on by the fans on orioles.com. Scott Thompson from Rockville, MD was chosen by fans as the winner for his "Orioles Magic Shaving Cream Pie" shirt. The first 10,000 fans 15 and over on Thursday, September 26 will receive this fan designed shirt.
FRIDAY
FANS WATCH FIREWORKS FROM THE FIELD
On Friday, September 27, Orioles players will toss baseballs into the stands during batting practice and the lucky fans who receive a specially marked baseball will be invited, along with a guest, to watch the post-game fireworks from the field.
The music for the fireworks show will be a compilation of songs chosen by Orioles fans. Previously, the Orioles asked fans via Facebook and Twitter what songs they would like to hear played during the post-game fireworks and selected songs based on those requests.
SATURDAY
FIRST PITCH
One randomly selected fan will be chosen for a chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Saturday, September 28 game and the Sunday, September 29 game vs. the Boston Red Sox.
TRADING PLACES
On Saturday, September 28, fans should keep an eye out for Orioles players who will be making appearances throughout Oriole Park and interacting with fans by performing various ballpark jobs. In addition, several fans will be randomly selected to take part in a number of ballpark experiences, including exchanging the lineup card, taking a turn as a guest Public Address Announcer for an inning, visiting the MASN TV booth and Orioles Radio Network booth, sitting with the grounds crew in the outfield and watching the game with DAN DUQUETTE for an inning.
SUNDAY
CHRIS DAVIS AT&T FANS' CHOICE BOBBLEHEAD
On Sunday, September 29, the first 25,000 fans 15 & over will receive a CHRIS DAVIS bobblehead. Davis was selected as the AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead earlier in the season. Fans can visit www.orioles.com/bobblehead to see a video featuring Davis that reveals the pose.
SHIRTS OFF OUR BACKS PROMOTION
On Sunday, September 29, fans will be chosen at random to go onto the field prior to the game to receive the shirts off the back of an Orioles player. Players will autograph their game-worn jerseys and send them to the chosen fans once the season is completed.
ADDITIONAL PROMOTIONS AND FAN APPRECIATION ACTIVITIES
TRIBUTE TO THE FANS
Orioles staff will wear "Thank You Fans" shirts and/or buttons, and a video tribute to fans will be played each game on the centerfield video board. The video will also be available at www.orioles.com/fans for fans to view.
FAN OF THE GAME
During each game of the homestand, the fan that is chosen as "Fan of the Game" before the bottom of the 5th inning on the Orioles centerfield video board will receive an "Ultimate Orioles Prize Pack" that includes among many items, an UltraFit 3000 sport headphone from Polk Audio and an autographed Orioles player photo.
For more information about Orioles 2013 Fan Appreciation Celebration, fans can call 888-848-BIRD or visit www.orioles.com/fans.
AT THE BALLPARK CHECK-IN OFFERS
All fans who check in at Oriole Park via MLB.com's At The Ballpark application between September 27-29 will receive a 20% off discount offer for the MLB.com Shop. One lucky fan who checks in on Sunday, September 29 will receive a $50 online gift code for the MLB.com Shop.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES
"THE ORIOLE WAY" PLAYER AWARD
The Oriole Advocates, Inc., with the cooperation and support of the Baltimore Orioles, have created The Oriole Way Award to recognize an Oriole player who has made significant contributions both on and off the field and who demonstrates a sincere willingness and desire to serve the community. The award is presented annually to a Baltimore Orioles player whose active participation in the community embraces the Oriole Advocates' mission of promoting and stimulating interest in baseball. The 2013 winner of this award is centerfielder ADAM JONES, who will be presented with the award in an on-field ceremony prior to the Orioles game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, September 25.
Jones is being recognized for his contributions to community initiatives such as the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore, which Jones and the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation donated $75,000 to allow for a project that would provide a new Learning and Technology Center. He also provided bats and catchers gear to 30 teams in the Baltimore Orioles' Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program. He is also personally supporting a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar, ALANAH GRISHAM, a junior studying neurobiology at Spelman College from San Diego, CA. Through this grant, Alanah will be supported for four years.
In addition to his financial generosity, Jones has continued his relationship with the Boys and Girls Club, by hosting clinics on the field at Oriole Park in conjunction with the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society's PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) campaign. He also partnered with the Coppin State University women's softball team to conduct their annual Baltimore City youth baseball and softball clinic for over 300 children. Each year since arriving in Baltimore Adam has donated $5,000 a year to the OriolesREACH ticket and gameday experience, which hosts thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the Gameday Experience Program where group members receive game tickets, concessions vouchers, an Orioles t-shirt, a cap and transportation to and from the game. On Jackie Robinson Day, Jones hosted over 100 Orioles RBI League players and coaches for a private screening of the movie "42." Adam met each member of the league that attended and talked to the athletes about what Jackie Robinson meant to him. Additionally, Adam served as Honorary Chair for the Y's 2013 Send a Kid to Camp campaign to help raise funds needed to provide a safe, productive summer for children from struggling families throughout Central Maryland. This year's fundraising topped $238,000, more than doubling last year's total of $117,000.
ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD
The Orioles will present ADAM JONES with the Roberto Clemente Award in an on-field ceremony prior to their game tonight against the Toronto Blue Jays. Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, announced that Jones was named the Orioles' 2013 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Jones is one of the 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet pays tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others.
Fans are encouraged to vote for Jones as the Roberto Clemente Award finalist at www.chevybaseball.com. Voting ends October 6.
CAREFIRST CHECK PRESENTATION
On Friday, September 27, prior to the Orioles game vs. the Boston Red Sox, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield will present a check in the amount of $208,000 to the Y of Central Maryland. CareFirst donated $50.00 for each Orioles walk this season. To complement the over $20,000 in Healthy Walks already earned this year, CareFirst increased their contribution to $208,000 to support the Y of Central Maryland. The Orioles' walks leader, CHRIS DAVIS will welcome and thank CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's Steve Margolis and Deborah Rivkin who are presenting the check to Bev Landis and Michelle Becote Jackson of the Y of Central Maryland to support the Y's "Fit and Fun Program".
BALTIMORE SUN TIM WHEATLEY AWARD
On Saturday, September 28, the Baltimore Sun and the family of Tim Wheatley will present NICK MARKAKIS with the Tim Wheatley Award. Almost four years ago, Baltimore Sun editor Wheatley was killed in a car accident while taking his daughter, who miraculously survived, to school. In honor of Tim and his tremendous efforts within the community, the Baltimore Sun created the Tim Wheatley Award, recognizing local professional athletes who give back to the community.
Markakis is being recognized for numerous contributions to the community including his work with his and Christina Markakis's personal charity, The Right Side Foundation, serving underprivileged youth. The Right Side Foundation took service members from Ft. Meade on a shopping spree at Under Armour, provided winter coats for members of Metropolitan Baltimore Boys and Girls Clubs, provided items for each child at the Orioles annual Holiday Party for Kids and took a deserving family on a shopping spree at Target before the holiday season.
Markakis has also donated $75,000 to the Orioles Charitable Foundation and donates $5,000 a year to the OriolesREACH Game Day Experience Program and $2,500 annually to the Orioles Military Sunday Suite Program. Nick and Christina also partnered with OriolesREACH to serve as race ambassadors for a Casey Cares 5K event at Oriole Park.
SAVES FOR SHOCK TRAUMA
Every Orioles baseball season, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc. and KTBS Payroll contribute $1,000 for every save that is recorded by an Orioles pitcher during the season. This season, thanks to the success of the Orioles, highlighted by JIM JOHNSON'S 47 saves and counting and the generous support of Kelly and Associates Insurance Group and KTBS Payroll The R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center will receive a check for over $50,000 in an on-field ceremony prior to Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Since 1996, Kelly and Associates Insurance Group and KTBS Payroll have contributed over $750,000 to The R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center through the "Saves for Shock Trauma" program.
MOST VALUABLE ORIOLE
In a pre-game ceremony on Sunday, September 29, the Orioles will honor the 2013 Most Valuable Oriole as selected by local media. Baltimore and Washington chapter of BBWAA President Dan Connolly will present the award.
AT THE BALLPARK
ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
As part of the Orioles' Military Appreciation Program, sponsored 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, September 29, military members from Air Force Dorm Ministry will enjoy the game vs. the Boston Red Sox from a catered suite and will have an opportunity for a meet and greet with ZACH BRITTON and DARREN O'DAY and receive an Under Armour 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 Alyssa Morris, a seven-year-old from Mercersburg, PA.
ORIOLES REACH 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, Sep 24 National Remember our Troops Campaign
Wed, Sep 25 Charm City Animal Rescue
Thu, Sep 26 Reach our Rescue and Resources
Fri, Sep 27 Baltimore Humane Society (Gate D Location)
BARCS calendar Sales (Eutaw Street Location)
Sat, Sep 28 Electric Vehicle Institute (Gate D Location)
BARCS calendar Sales (Eutaw Street Location)
Sun, Sep 29 Babe Ruth Foundation (Gate D Location)
BARCS calendar Sales (Eutaw Street Location)
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. The program is supported by the following players: ALEXI CASILLA, WEI-YIN CHEN, CHRIS DAVIS, JASON HAMMEL, J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, BRIAN MATUSZ, NICK MARKAKIS, NATE McLOUTH, CHRIS TILLMAN, TSUYOSHI WADA and MATT WIETERS. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players:
DATE ORGANIZATION PLAYER
Tue, Sep 24 Mt. Washington Elementary Chris Tillman
Wed, Sep 25 City Neighbors Tommy Hunter
Thu, Sep 26 Kids Peace Alexi Casilla
Fri, Sep 27 Roots of Scouting, Rosemont Elementary, Jason Hammel
Robert Coleman Elementary
Sat, Sep 28 Wolfe Street Academy Matt Wieters
Sun, Sep 29 Hampstead Hill Academy Chris Davis
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
DATE ITEM/OFFER SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
All Week Fan Appreciation Celebration All fans
Tue, Sep 24 Ollie's Bargain Night Ollie's All Upper Reserve seats are $9 in advance
Thu, Sep 26 Fan Designed "Shaving Cream Pie" T-shirt 1st 10,000 fans 15 & over
Fan Appreciation Celebration All fans
Fri, Sep 27 Student Night LF Upper Reserve $6 for all students
Post-game Fireworks All fans
Sun, Sep 29 Fans' Choice Chris Davis AT&T 1st 20,000 fans 15 & over
Bobblehead