Orioles to Teach Baseball Fundamentals at Annual Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball Clinic
The Orioles will open the final homestand of the first half of the regular season on Friday, July 10, at 7:05 p.m. against the Washington Nationals. The three-game series will feature a Fantasy Camp for children in the Orioles Advocates Challenger Baseball program, two unique giveaways, and a special on-field All-Star Game jersey presentation.
On Saturday, July 11, Orioles infielder RYAN FLAHERTY and catcher CALEB JOSEPH as well as former Orioles KEN DIXON and BILL SWAGGERTY will participate in a Fantasy Camp for children with mental and/or physical challenges at Freedom Field in Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena, MD beginning at 11:00 a.m. The clinic will provide more than 40 Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball players from Anne Arundel County, Frederick, Catonsville, and Parkville with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of pitching, throwing, and catching. Each child also will receive a personalized replica Majestic Orioles Jersey, autographs, and Orioles gift items. The clinic follows Major League Baseball's announcement of a new league-wide "Play Ball" campaign designed to encourage widespread participation of all forms of baseball among youth.
Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball (OACB) is a program of the Charitable Foundation of the Oriole Advocates in collaboration with the Orioles. OACB provides assistance to Challenger baseball teams in Maryland, northern Virginia, and southern Pennsylvania. These teams are 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.
Additional information about Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball can be found at www.OrioleAdvocates.org. Media interested in covering this event should contact Chris Martrich ([email protected]) to RSVP.
IN THE COMMUNITY
CHEVY YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC
Earlier today, the Orioles hosted the first of three "Chevy Youth Baseball Clinics" taking place at Oriole Park this summer. More than 100 pre-selected children from the surrounding Baltimore metro area took the field to learn the fundamentals of pitching, throwing, and catching from former Orioles including LARRY BIGBIE, JOE ORSULAK, and BILL SWAGGERTY. Participants received ESSKAY hot dogs, pretzels, and beverages provided by the Orioles. Each participant also received two tickets to tonight's 7:05 p.m. game against the Nationals.
AT THE BALLPARK
JIM HENNEMAN TO THROW OUT CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH
On Friday, July 10, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Nationals, longtime Baltimore sportswriter and author of "Baltimore Orioles: 60 Years of Orioles Magic," JIM HENNEMAN will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Henneman, who celebrates his 80th birthday today, is a former president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and has been a fixture in the Orioles press box for many years. He spent decades covering the Orioles and now serves as an official scorekeeper and as a columnist for PressBoxOnline.com.
BOOG POWELL TO THROW OUT CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH
On Friday, July 10, the first 20,000 fans 21 and over will receive an Orioles Plaid Floppy Hat, presented by Miller Lite. To help celebrate the occasion, Orioles Hall of Famer BOOG POWELL will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. Boog's association with Miller Lite spans over 40 years. As a Miller Lite All-Star, he has appeared in numerous Miller Lite commercials.
MAJESTIC ALL-STAR SEND-OFF
On Sunday, July 12, the Orioles' 2015 MLB All-Stars will be recognized on the field as part of Majestic's All-Star Game Send-Off. The Orioles will honor ZACH BRITTON, ADAM JONES, MANNY MACHADO, and DARREN O'DAY by presenting the players with their personalized Majestic All-Star jerseys prior to the start of Sunday's 1:35 p.m. game against the Nationals. The 86th All-Star Game will be televised by FOX on Tuesday, July 14, beginning at 8:00 p.m.
ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
As part of the Orioles' Military Appreciation Program, the Orioles and OriolesREACH donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Oriole Park to servicemen and women through the Sunday Suite Program, presented by GEICO. On Sunday, July 12, military members from The Yellow Ribbon Fund will enjoy the game against the Nationals at 1:35 p.m. from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with pitchers BRAD BRACH and TOMMY HUNTER, and receive a player t-shirt and cap.
STEAL SECOND BASE PRESENTED BY ESSKAY
The Orioles feature the Steal Second Base contest during every Sunday home game throughout the season. Presented by ESSKAY, the 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. The winner for Sunday, July 12, is BEN REED, an 8-year-old from Crofton, MD.
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
July 10 Lupus Foundation of America DC/MD/VA Chapter
July 11 Animal Rescue, Inc.
July 12 Babe Ruth Foundation
ORIOLES REACH GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
This season, OriolesREACH is again hosting thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the Gameday Experience Program. Group members receive up to 150 game tickets, concessions, 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, MIGUEL GONZALEZ, J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, BRIAN MATUSZ, BUD NORRIS, TRAVIS SNIDER, CHRIS TILLMAN, and MATT WIETERS. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players:
Date Organization Player Sponsor
July 10 Diamonds on the Rise Brian Matusz
July 11 James Mosher Associates, Inc: Tee Ball & Instructional Teams Miguel Gonzalez
July 12 Alpha and Omega Quality Child Care Matt Wieters
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
Date Item/Offer Sponsor Elgibility
July 10 Orioles Plaid Floppy Hat Miller Lite First 20,000 Fans 21 & over
AT&T Student Night AT&T $7 Tickets for Students with School ID
July 12 Orioles Hawaiian Shirt First 20,000 Fans 15 & over