For the first time, the Orioles are charging a game-day ticketing fee of between $1 and $5, depending on the original price of the seat, for every home game this year - if that ticket is purchased after 12:01 a.m. on game day.

In other words, walk up to the window to buy tickets on game day and you'll pay extra.

The new policy, which will average an additional $2 per game-day-purchased ticket, is becoming more common in major league baseball, according to Greg Bader, the Orioles' director of communications.

Last season, 10 teams did it; the Orioles have become the 11th and several more could implement it in 2010, Bader said.

"In our mind, it accomplishes a couple of things. It rewards fans who buy in advance and make a commitment ahead of time to come to the park, and it has them make the commitment to come to the park," Bader said. In addition to the game-day fee, the Orioles have instituted another price change for 2010, increasing the cost of tickets for 19 premium games - Opening Day and the nine home games each against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox - by about 10 percent over last year's premium-game costs.

After seeing Adam LaRoche find himself in the Arizona desert thanks to the Diamondbacks, it looks like the Orioles are still trying to find their big bat; however, the names left on the board are't all that appealing. According to Roch's blog, the Orioles may be interested in attempting to sign Joe Crede, who recently played third base for Minnesota.

Crede is a power bat and can slug the ball -- when healthy. Considering he's only played 234 games in the past three years because of injuries, the Orioles might want to save their money. He was a promising player at one time for the White Sox, but Crede could never stay on the field because of continous back issues. He might be fine as a stop-gap for a season, but I'd be very wary of him playing more than 100 plus games if signed.

In addition, the Orioles are currently looking at Hank Blalock, who can too slug the ball, but is also trying to bounce back from injuries the past few seasons.

Then again, most would put Crede or Blalock above Ty Wigginton, or any of the other options -- aside from Josh Bell -- in the system right now.

Another name that keeps being thrown around is Miguel Tejada. I would be really surprised if he came back and put on a Baltimore uniform; however, I would not be surprised with anything that takes place in baseball anymore.

I don't know how I'd feel if Miguel was just a stop-gap player and someone who could be flipped mid-season, but he's not even remotely the same player he was when an Oriole that he is now. Then again, he's still productive as an everyday player to a certain extent.

Aside from being magically two years older now than he used to be, slower in the field, plus his power being all but sapped, his upside now is that he can still hit for average.

The question is would Andy MacPhail be willing to welcome him back?

***

The devastation in Haiti has affected a member of the Orioles -- Felix Pie. The outfielder, who was born in the Dominican Republic, has family in Haiti (and his parents were born there as well). Obviously, one would imagine the past few says have been trying for him, but the good news is that his family seems to be fine, un-injured and well.

In addition, the sport of baseball is stepping up to plate to aid those in need with the disaster in Haiti. Commissioner Bud Selig announced on Thursday that MLB has pledged an immediate donation of $1 million to support the cause. The Yankees on Tuesday announced that they were giving $500,000 for relief efforts. We all know as fun as professional sports are to watch, the truth is that it is also a huge and sometimes cruel business; however, it's nice to see MLB doing it's part to help out.

I was really intrigued by the prospect of seeing Adam LaRoche sign in Baltimore; however, that does not seem to be happening now. It looks like LaRoche is heading out west and will be a member of the Diamondbacks.

Sadly, the remaining first baseman left on the market really doesn't impress me much at all. I'm thinking LaRoche is taking the deal from Arizona to see if the market will pick up and see if there's yet another big pay day coming for him. As much as he would have fit in Baltimore with his power, he does strike out quite a bit and is a notoriously slow starter.

From MLB Trade Rumors: The Diamondbacks signed first baseman Adam LaRoche to a one-year deal, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  The D'Backs were not known to be interested or able to afford LaRoche, but the move makes sense as it allows them to use Conor Jackson in left field and give Brandon Allen more minor league seasoning.

LaRoche reportedly turned down a two-year, $17.5MM deal from the Giants earlier this offseason, as he was aiming for three years.  The 30-year-old hit .278/.357/.487 with 24 home runs in 610 plate appearances for the Pirates, Braves, and Red Sox. He earned $7.05MM in '09.  He was a Type B free agent, but the Braves chose not to offer arbitration.

I guess another name on the board the Orioles might consider is Russell Branyan. Yes, the first baseman did have a huge season in 2009 with the Mariners, however, he's in his mid-30's. Furthermore, there's not much in his past that would indicate that he's a good candidate to repeat what did for Seattle.

If MacPhail does take a chance on Branayan, it should only be for one-year deal -- no more.

Finally, it looks like lefty hurler Rich Hill is moving on from the Baltimore organization. He looked like he had some promise on the mound, but Hill was so inconsistent, and didn't seem have the ability to go more than five innings from start to start. Hill seemed to be a nice enough guy, but assuming he's healthy and doesn't have issues with his shoulder, the lefty should help someone.

Even though most of us fans are a world away from the earthquake that took place in Haiti, thanks to technology via the internet, digital photography and other means, the imagery conveyed in the past two days makes what happened there much more real.

There are no words that could be said of some the images that have been posted online. With part of the nation in complete devastation, people out in the streets with no where to go and projections of thousands dead, something needs to be done. If the damage to Haiti is even a small percentage of what I've seen on TV and in images, they are in for a very, very long road to recovery.

If people have the time, energy, or money, take a minute a donate to the various charities who are assisting the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti.

This blog criticizes the New York Yankees on a regular basis for their competitive advantage in the sport and for being rivals of the Orioles; however, once again in time of need, they've stepped up to the plate. On Wednesday, they donated $500,000 in support of rescue and relief efforts in Haiti.

In addition to celebrating Ruth’s birthday, the Museum will present Baltimore Orioles’ outfielder Nick Markakis and his wife, Christina, with the 2010 Babe Ruth Museum Community Service Award. The award was created to honor Ruth’s memory by recognizing an active or former professional athlete, or individual with ties to the Maryland sports community, who has demonstrated a strong devotion to Baltimore and the State of Maryland by giving back to the community.  Previous recipients include Edwin Mulitalo, Brian Roberts and Melvin Mora.

There's more information available at this link: Click Here

- How ironic is this?  Arlodis Chapman escapes Communist Cuba and signs with the "Reds".

- Mark MacGwire admits to using steroids, in other news cats like yarn, birds eat seeds and small bugs and dogs love smll pieces of American cheese

- It amazes me how many people I see wanted us to sign Vlad Guerrero.  Please tell me how signing an injury prone guy with one foot in the baseball grave makes us any better.  Same goes for Carlos Delgado if the reports of him "not moving well" in Puerto Rico are true.

- Who is willing to bet me five American Dollars that Adam LaRoche is in an Orioles uniform by February?

- I am always rather nonplussed around football season, but God I want to beat Indy.  Playing the Colts just gets the Baltimore all riled up inside me.

- Fanfest is on January 23.  Who is going?  More importantly - which players will be there?

- Miguel Tejada reportedly will play ANY infield position in 2010, I don't think the Orioles will be calling.

- Erik Bedard is still floating around out there.  The question floating around him is, as always, "when will he be ready?"  The Orioles seem to think the answer is sooner rather than later.

- More on that; how amazing would it be to get Bedard BACK?  Seriously, Bill Bavasi's name should live in infamy for a very long time.

- Even more on that; Assume the Orioles do get Bedard back?  Millwood, Bedard and Guthrie are locks, how open a competition would there be for the last two rotation spots?  My guess, not very much of one they would be Tillman and Matusz's to lose.

- Memo to Gilbert Arenas: You work in an area where young black men are killing each other at an alarming rate, mocking gun violence is never a good idea.  It is a doubly bad idea to be a multi-millionaire mocking gun violence.

- I used to think that the jury was still out on the imprtance and significance of the effect steroids had on the game.  Specifically, does taking steroids truly make hitting homeruns easier?  Well, I took a look at this list and frankly the correlation is pretty strong.  Honestly, how many players from 1980-today in the top 30 of that list were NOT directly implicated in steroid use at some point in their career?  It is somehow both sadly amazing and amazingly sad.

Well, as Fan Fest approaches us in the next few weeks, I'm still wondering who the Orioles will add as their first baseman, or better yet, their big bat. As noted this weekend, the talent left on the market for first baseman are relatively slim.

Aubrey Huff, who had an awesome 2008, but faded considerably in 2009 is heading to San Francisco for a one-year deal. I'd be curious to see how he does in the National League, but AT&T Park - where San Francisco plays their home games - isn't exactly a hitter's haven.

As for the Orioles, I'd figure that Adam LaRoche -- who incidently turned down a two-year, $17 million deal from the Giants -- would be the top candidate. With the market and economy as-is, the offer he turned down might have been the best one he'll recieve. There are a lot of fans are would be intrigued by him in a Baltimore uniform, and Roch from MASN says that the team still has interest in him.

According to Boston.com, the Orioles are indeed interested in Carlos Delgado (along with the Mets). I've followed him for years and got to see him with the Mets, but despite his age, he might be a perfect bat for Baltimore. At this point, I don't know how well he moves in the field considering he's trying to come back from injury, but the power, left-handed stroke and experience might be good for a one-year deal with the Orioles.

In the end, I still expect LaRoche to find himself in an Oriole uniform before Spring Training.

***

It would be safe to assume that everyone will be watching the situation in the outfield. Right now, the Orioles have Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold (plus you could throw Luke Scott in there as well, but he should be the DH) competing for playing time. Common sense would dictate that Jones, Markakis will occupy the same positions they've had, while Reimold -- if presumably healthy -- will start in left. I'd think Pie would be the fourth outfielder and play when any of the regulars take a day off.

However, if Reimold isn't healthy, or struggles in Spring Training, Pie might earn starter status in left. I'm only speculating, but based on Pie finished last season, he deserves a shot to prove himself on a semi-regular basis -- unless he's traded.

***

Finally, it looks like Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman signed with the Cincinnati Reds after much speculation that he'd sign with one of the big market teams. The hurler recieved a healthy 5-year, $30 million contract that shocked many (not including that many didn't even factor in the Reds as part of the bidding). Perhaps the move that Cincinatti made was bold or even bordering on reckless, but it's a caculated one for a franchise who is looking to rebuild their system through youth and pitching.

The Washington Nationals came in second in the bidding with reports close to $20 million and the Orioles took a look at him, but it looks like they were not going to be a factor.

Mark McGwire used steroids and he finally decided after all these years to admit it to the world today, although it was blatantly obvious to anyone with common sense. Plus, he used them in the "great home run chase" of 1998.

Really.

He said he used them to recover from injuries quicker, recovery and to stay healthy. He also added it was part of the 'culture' at the time.

Perhaps it was to get into the good graces of the baseball hierarchy, finally move on with his new job as the Cardinals' hitting coach, or he just wanted to get a load off his chest; however, I'm not going to get excited, angry or show much emotion at today's revelation.

Moving on...

I'll say this -- we all should be happy what the Orioles have done in terms of their acquistions so far, but the team does need more. While Andy MacPhail in late 2009 gave the roster a little face lift with the additions of Garrett Atkins, Mike Gonzalez and Kevin Millwood, the amount of activity from the Orioles has come to a halt.

It's not to say that the organization isn't trying, but after seeing Matt Holliday sign for beacoup bucks with St. Louis, Adrian Beltre join the Red Sox, Jason Bay shacking up with the Mets, I'm sure a lot of fans are eagely awaiting the next move.

At this point, most of the marquee names are off the market, therefore, who's even left to look at?

While the pitching has been upgraded - somewhat - there's still something that may need to be done with first base. Obviously, most fans know that the Orioles still need a big bopper at first base in the lineup (Atkins has potential, but right now, who knows what will come of him). There's really not a free agent out there who doesn't come with some minuses in comparison to their positives, but the team could find someone for a decent price who could pay some huge dividends.

Here are your first-baseman types available: Rich Aurilia, Russell Branyan, Hank Blalock, Carlos Delgado, Nomar Garciaparra, Ryan Garko, Jason Giambi, Aubrey Huff, Adam LaRoche, Kevin Millar, Fernando Tatis, Jim Thome, Chad Tracy and Dmitri Young.

Looking the list above, the ones I have heard mentioned the most concerning the Orioles in media reports are Hank Blalock, Carlos Delgado, Ryan Garko and Adam LaRoche. From what I see, none of the guys are perennial All-Stars, and Delgado is past his prime; however, all could serve as an integral part of the lineup in Birdland.

LaRoche would excite me the most as he's got a good mix of power and hits for average, although he is a slow starter, prone to striking out, and is average in the field. His stroke would be perfect for the right field wall at Camden Yards; however, it looks like he also wants a ton of money as he turned down a deal with the San Francisco Giants. He's still young enough at 30 to make an impact, but again, I don't think the Orioles need a player who seems to get lot later on.

Another favorite of mine is Carlos Delgado. He's proven and has done a lot of damage into the later years of his career; however, he is coming off surgery on his hip and only played a scant amount of games last year. Carlos is also 38, but if he's healthy, capable of swinging a bat, and can prove it in the Caribbean Winter League, he'd be a steal and could be signed to a short term contract.

Ryan Garko is still relatively young at 29 and a solid player, but isn't nearly in the same class as LaRoche or a healthy Delgado. I've also read a bit on Hank Blalock and while he's got a ton of power - perfect for the dimensions of Camden Yards - he's been injured a lot in the past few seasons, and didn't really for average in 2009, but he's awfully intriguing.

Then again, the Orioles could also just tryout Michael Aubrey at first. It looks like Aubrey can definitely hit for average and is a fairly good defender at first based on the amount I saw him play; however, the issue I guess with him would be if he could hit for power enough to play everyday. Aubrey definitely got some solid attributes, but again, the team may hunt for what's available on the market before giving him a shot at first.

I could also see Atkins perhaps playing first and finding a player like Joe Crede to anchor third. Miguel Tejada's name has been one mentioned perhaps available to play third, but I've not seen too much in the local media to really substantiate that thought, and besides would Andy MacPhail want to revisit the past with him?

It will be interesting to see what happens at first into 2010.