Orioles to celebrate 200th anniversary of Star-Spangled Banner with Stars and Stripes uniforms on Sunday
On Sunday, September 14, the Orioles will wear special stars and stripes jerseys and caps in honor of the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner, written in Baltimore. All uniformed personnel will wear white jerseys featuring the club's "Baltimore" script with a stars and stripes pattern and red numbers, along with red caps featuring a star with a stars and stripes inlay behind the cartoon bird.
The jerseys and caps will be autographed, authenticated, and auctioned online as a set at www.orioles.com/auction beginning Sunday, September 14 at 8:00 p.m. and ending Sunday, September 21 at 10:00 p.m. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation.
ORIOLES AND AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION TO CELEBRATE PARTNERSHIP WITH BALTIMORE HEART BALL LAUNCH EVENT
Prior to the September 17 game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Orioles will host the American Heart Association and top donors for the 2015 Baltimore Heart Ball on the Centerfield Roof Deck for a special partnership launch event. The pre-game activities will be highlighted by two on-field check presentations to the American Heart Association - one from the Orioles and one from the event chair SunTrust Foundation -- to signify the official beginning of fundraising for the Heart Ball.
The Orioles, SunTrust, and the AHA have set a $740,000 fundraising goal for the Baltimore Heart Ball. Proceeds from the event benefit breakthroughs in cardiovascular disease research, education programs, and advocacy efforts.
The 31st Annual Baltimore Heart Ball will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES
CAREFIRST CHECK PRESENTATION
Prior to tonight's second game of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield will present a check in the amount of $750,000 to the B'more for Healthy Babies. Throughout the season, CareFirst donated $50 for each Orioles walk this season. To complement the over $17,650 in Healthy Walks already earned this year, CareFirst increased their contribution to $750,000 to support B'more for Healthy Babies. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's RYAN MIHALEK and DEBORAH RIVKIN will present the check to DR. JAQUELYN DUVAL-HARVEY from the Baltimore City Health Department and JONATHAN RONDEAU of the Family League to support B'more for Healthy Babies.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA NATIONAL YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Baltimore Orioles are proud to welcome the six finalists for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Youth of the Year program. Since 1947, Youth of the Year (YOY) has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier recognition program which promotes and recognizes young people's service to the Club, community and family, as well as their academic performance, moral character, and life goals. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor bestowed upon any club member.
This year's finalists include National Military Youth of the Year NATALIA LYNCH from Wiesbaden, Germany; Midwest Youth of the Year JASMNIKA NEWBERN from Benton Harbor, MI; Northeast Youth of the Year SPARKLE PREVARD from Atlantic City, NJ; Pacific Youth of the Year TAE McKENZIE from Tacoma, WA; Southeast Youth of the Year MARYAH SULLIVAN from Orlando, FL; and Southwest Youth of the Year CECILIA GARZA from Dallas, TX.
The six outstanding teens are in the Washington, DC area to compete for the title of being named Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Youth of the Year. While in the area, they will be recognized by congressional leaders, high-profile corporate executives, and will meet with President Obama in the Oval Office. Ultimately, one of these teens will be named National Youth of the Year and receive a $50,000 scholarship.
"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 2014 winner of this award is right fielder NICK MARKAKIS, who will be presented with the award in an on-field ceremony prior to the Orioles game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, September 15.
Markakis is being recognized for his contributions to community initiatives such as the annual Orioles Kids Holiday Party where in addition to playing video games and serving food to some of the less fortunate students from a selected inner city public school, Nick and his wife, CHRISTINA MARKAKIS, personally purchase a glove and baseball for each child in attendance. He, along with Christina, also serve as honorary "Race Ambassadors" for the Casey Cares Foundation 5K Run/Walk. The race earned over $108,000 for the Casey Cares Foundation, which is a non-profit that provides uplifting programs for critically ill children and their families throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Markakis also began a partnership with 108 Stitches this season, an officially licensed MLBPA T-Shirt vendor focused on raising money for cancer research. In addition to donating their time, the Markakis family has made sure to help those in need by making financial donations to worthy causes such as the Orioles Charitable Foundation, the Orioles Military Appreciation Program, and the OriolesREACH Gameday Experience Program.
ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD
The Orioles will present NICK MARKAKIS with the Roberto Clemente Award in an on-field ceremony prior to their game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 17. Major League recently announced that Markakis was named the Orioles' 2014 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Markakis 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.
UMMS CHECK PRESENTATION
Every Orioles Baseball season, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc. and Kelly Exchange contribute $1,000 for every save that is recorded by an Orioles pitcher. Thanks to the generous support of Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc. and Kelly Exchange, The R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center will receive over $50,000. Since 1996, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc. and Kelly Exchange have contributed over $750,000 to The R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center through the "Saves for Shock Trauma Program."
AT THE BALLPARK
BLUE ANGELS FIRST PITCH
Prior to tonight's second game of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees, Blue Angel #5, Lieutenant Commander DAVID TICKLE will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. A native of Birmingham, AL, Tickle graduated from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.
A total of 16 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. Each year the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers, and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to relieve departing members. The Blue Angels have visited 34 cities this season and performed 65 flight demonstrations and are in Maryland this weekend flying for the Star Spangled 200 Celebration.
MLBPAA SILENT AUCTION
Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will be hosting a silent auction near Gate E from September 12-14. The auction will start when the gates open at 11:30 a.m. for the first game of the Orioles doubleheader against the New York Yankees on Friday and 5:30 p.m. for game two. It will begin at 11:30 a.m. when the gates open on Saturday, and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, and closes at the end of the fifth inning. Proceeds from the silent auction benefit MLBPAA and The Orioles Charitable Foundation.
KIDS PEACE NIGHT
The Baltimore Orioles, OriolesREACH, and Manager BUCK SHOWALTER and his wife ANGELA are honored to announce OneMain Financial as the presenting sponsor for the fifth annual KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5K/One Mile Walk scheduled to take place on November 1 at Oriole Park. On September 16 prior to the Orioles game against the Toronto Blue Jays, OneMain Financial Chief Operating Officer JOHN SCHACHTEL and District Manager TIM BUTT will present a check for $25,000 to ANGELA SHOWALTER and KidsPeace board members to directly benefit the Maryland foster youth served by KidsPeace.
Founded in 1882, KidsPeace is dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, preadolescents, teens, and young adults, offering a comprehensive range of residential treatment programs, accredited educational services, and a variety of foster care and community-based programs to give hope, help, and healing to children, families, and communities. KidsPeace offers services in Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
ORIOLES AND LEGG MASON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION PARTNER TO SUPPORT HEART WALK
The Legg Mason Charitable Foundation and the Orioles are partnering to support the American Heart Association Heart Walk in October. For each home run hit by the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards during the regular season, the Legg Mason Charitable Foundation will contribute $500 to the American Heart Association Heart Walk on October 20. To date, the Orioles have hit 97 home runs at home.
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, September 14, military members from Association of the United States Army-Francis Scott Key Ft. Meade will enjoy the game against the New York Yankees from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with ZACH BRITTON and MATT WIETERS, 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 Monday, September 15, DON STANHOUSE, BRIAN BASS, and NATE SNELL will greet fans and sign autographs.
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 NICK CARNE, a six year old from Lutherville, 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, Sept 12 Baltimore Running Festival
Sat, Sept 13 Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum & Sports Legends Museum
BARCS Calendar Sales (Kids Corner Location)
Sun, Sept 14 Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation
Mon, Sept 15 Y of Central Maryland
Tues, Sept 16 Kids Peace
BARCS Calendar Sales (Kids Corner Location)
Wed, Sept 17 Maryland Center for Veterans Education & Training, Inc. (MCVET)
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, 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, Sept 12 Curtis Bay Elementary/Middle School 150 Nick Markakis
Sat, Sept 13 Arbutus Elementary School 150 Brian Matusz
Sun, Sept 14 Bonnie Branch Middle School 150 J.J. Hardy
Mon, Sept 15 Patterson Park Public Charter School 150 Chris Tillman
Tues, Sept 16 KidsPeace 150 Wei-Yin Chen
Wed, Sept 17 Boys & Girls Club of Baltimore 150 Nick Markakis