The Orioles today announced that Chris and Jill Davis will host "Crush's Homers for Hearts," a charity Home Run Derby event at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday, July 13, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET benefitting the Pediatric Heart Program of the University of Maryland Children's Hospital (UMCH) at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Participants will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in a Home Run Derby challenge in foursomes on the field at Oriole Park. Along with taking part in the Home Run Derby, participants will also have the opportunity to watch a private Orioles team workout prior to the event, warm up on the field with Orioles strength and conditioning coaches, enjoy complimentary food and beverages, and take pictures with Chris and Jill Davis.
Additionally, the Davis family will host patients from UMCH for a longest ball T-ball challenge during which the children will have the opportunity to hit off a tee with help from Davis to see who can hit the longest ball. The children will enjoy several family-friendly entertainment options including a moon bounce, face painters, balloon twisters, and an appearance by the Oriole Bird.
"We are grateful for the commitment by Chris and Jill Davis and partnership of the Orioles to our pediatric heart program," said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical Center, home of the University of Maryland Children's Hospital. "This event presents an important opportunity to continue advancing research and care for our smallest and most vulnerable patients in the most complex area of pediatric heart disease."
"The University of Maryland Children's Hospital looks forward to partnering with our corporate community to continue advancing the area's leading children's heart program," said Chip Doetsch, Chair of the Board of the University of Maryland Children's Hospital. "Our patients, families, faculty and staff are immensely appreciative of the generosity and friendship of all those who support this exciting event."
Chris Davis has also announced that he will be donating $1,000 to the UMCH Pediatric Heart Program for each home run he hits during the 2017 regular season.
"When we decided to remain in Baltimore, Jill and I hoped that we could establish an annual event hosted at Oriole Park that would bring people together to make a meaningful difference in our community," said Davis. "We've been planning this event in our minds for many months, so it is especially exciting for us to bring it to life in partnership with the Orioles and with UMCH's Pediatric Heart Program. Our hope is that Crush's Homers for Hearts continues to grow each year and becomes a cornerstone in the program's fundraising efforts."
Chris and Jill Davis serve as ambassadors for the University of Maryland Children's Hospital at the University of Maryland Medical Center, helping to raise awareness for childhood illnesses and UMCH's role as a leader in patient care, pediatric disease research, and teaching future generations of health care providers. The Davis family announced their partnership with the University of Maryland Children's Hospital in late 2016.
For more information about sponsorship packages or foursome participation for this event, interested parties may contact Nichole Komninos ([email protected]) at the University of Maryland Children's Hospital.