Orioles to host nearly 1,400 at-risk children during ALDS Games 1 & 2

September 26, 2014

"OriolesREACH Knothole Gang" gives kids a chance to experience Postseason baseball;

Orioles also auctioning off front row tickets to ALDS Games 1 & 2 for charity

The Orioles are inviting at-risk children to attend Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series through a program called the OriolesREACH Knothole Gang. Nearly 1,400 children will be experiencing the excitement of Postseason baseball from Sections 96 and 98 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, courtesy of the Orioles.

Groups participating include:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore
City Springs Elementary School/Baltimore Curriculum Project
Dundalk Youth Services Center
Hampden Family Center
Living Classrooms Foundation
My Neighbors Foundation
My Sister's Circle
The Salvation Army of Central Maryland

"Living Classrooms is honored to work together with the Orioles on behalf of the hundreds of inner-city children coming from our schools and programs that will have an amazing opportunity to experience the Postseason," said JAMES PIPER BOND, President and CEO of Living Classrooms Foundation. "The Orioles are making a wonderful effort to involve the entire community in the Orioles' playoffs. This will be an experience that these kids will always remember, and for many, it will be their first time at the ballpark to see the Orioles in action."

Additionally, in an effort to raise funds for these non-profit groups, the Orioles are auctioning off several pairs of front row, field box tickets to ALDS Game 1 and ALDS Game 2. Fans are encouraged to visit www.orioles.com/auction until Tuesday, September 30 at 8:00 p.m. (for Game 1) and Wednesday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. (for Game 2) to place their bids.

The OriolesREACH Knothole Gang pays homage to the International League Baltimore Orioles' decision in 1930 to allow kids to see games at the old Oriole Park for free. The children were allowed in at no charge as part of a group dubbed the "Knothole Gang," created when team management relented after years of children sneaking in (or "hooking in") to the ballpark by tunneling under or climbing over the fence to watch games.

"The Orioles' ownership wants children to experience the excitement of Postseason baseball live at Oriole Park at Camden Yards," said GREG BADER, Orioles Vice President of Communications & Marketing. "We encourage our fans to bid generously on the tickets currently available at auction to help these remarkable non-profit groups doing great work in our community."