From the Baltimore Orioles…
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The Orioles and OriolesREACH have partnered with the Casey Cares Foundation to host the fourth annual Casey Cares 5K run/walk at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, August 3. Orioles right fielder NICK MARKAKIS and his wife CHRISTINA will serve as race ambassadors. KEITH MILLS, Sports Director of 98 Rock and WBAL Radio, will be the event's emcee.
The 3.1 mile run/walk starts at 8:00 a.m. and begins and ends at Oriole Park. Refreshments and a "Home Plate Finish" photo will be provided to each participant. Race winners will be announced in a ceremony prior to the Orioles' 7:05 p.m. game that night vs. the Seattle Mariners.
Registration for the race is open now through August 3, and both teams and individuals are encouraged to register. Entry fees are $35 per person through August 2 or $40 on race day. To register, visit www.caseycares5k.org.
All proceeds of the 5K will benefit the Casey Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides personalized, uplifting and ongoing programs with a special touch to critically ill children and their family members throughout six states.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES
MCLOUTH HONORED AS ORIOLES' WINNER OF HEART AND HUSTLE AWARD
On Tuesday, July 30, NATE MCLOUTH will be recognized prior to the game against the Houston Astros as the Orioles' preliminary winner of the 2013 Heart and Hustle Award. Selected by a committee of Orioles alumni organized by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, McLouth will be honored as the current Orioles player who most demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game.
The Heart and Hustle Award is the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players. A preliminary winner is selected from each of the 30 MLB teams, and fans, all Alumni and active players will vote to select the final winner from the 30 preliminary winners later this season.
MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR FIRST PITCH
The Maryland Teacher of the Year Program is the state's premiere teacher recognition and teaching ambassador program. This year's winner, RHONDA BLANKENSHIP, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Sunday, August 4 before the Orioles take on the Seattle Mariners. Blakenship, who was also a finalist in the National Teacher of the Year competition, hails from Cecil County and teaches 10th and 11th grade Language Arts at Rising Sun High School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Towson University in 1995, received her Masters of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College in 2005 and achieved National Board Certification in 2010. Blankenship writes county curriculum, participates in professional learning communities, facilitates school and county professional development and mentors student teachers. The Orioles will also provide a catered suite for all of the state's teacher of the year candidates.
AT THE BALLPARK
CHEVY YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC
On Wednesday, July 31, the Orioles will host the last of three "Chevy Youth Baseball Clinics" taking place at Oriole Park this summer. One hundred pre-selected children from the surrounding Baltimore metro area will take the field from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and be taught a variety of baseball-related skills including baserunning, batting off of a tee, fielding and pitching from former Orioles including AL BUMBRY, BILL SWAGGERTY, RICK KRIVDA and LARRY SHEETS. Participants will receive hot dogs, pretzels and beverages provided by the Orioles. Each participant will also receive two tickets to that night's game against the Houston Astros. At the conclusion of the clinic, the youth will participate in a Q&A session with T.J. McFARLAND. Accredited media who wish to cover the clinic must RSVP to Amanda Sarver at asarver@orioles.com.
BUSES FOR BASEBALL
On Wednesday, July 31, the Players Trust's annual Buses for Baseball will visit Oriole Park and host children with cancer from the Cool Kids Campaign. The youth will meet Orioles players prior to the game.
The children from the Cool Kids Campaign will receive round-trip transportation to and from the game as well as free tickets, food, beverages and souvenirs from OriolesREACH.
This season, Buses for Baseball will provide transportation and personal greetings to more than 750 underprivileged children attending Major League Baseball games as invited guests of their big league heroes. Buses for Baseball provides many of the children their first chance to attend a Major League Baseball game. The Cool Kids Campaign provides children with cancer a higher quality of life for themselves and their families as they face their health challenges.
ORIOLES HALL OF FAME LUNCHEON AND CEREMONY
On Friday, August 2, the Orioles and Oriole Advocates will hold a formal induction ceremony prior to their 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Seattle Mariners to honor 2013 Orioles Hall of Fame inductee ROBERTO ALOMAR and Herb Armstrong Award recipient DON PRIES. Earlier that day, the annual Orioles Hall of Fame Luncheon will be held on the 6th floor of the Warehouse starting at noon. The luncheon is sponsored by the Oriole Advocates, founders of the Orioles Hall of Fame. Tickets are available to fans for $50 by calling Ann Serio at 410-247-2703.
BARBECUE FOR THE TROOPS BULLPEN PICNIC
On Sunday, August 4, DARREN O'DAY and his wife Elizabeth will help the United Service Organization support our nation's troops and their families. Through a new USO campaign called "Barbecue for the Troops," the O'Days will host a bullpen picnic barbeque and invite Orioles fans, friends and families to come and show their support for our servicemen and women by making a donation to the USO. The USO is a nonprofit organization that provides critical and morale-boosting programs and services to troops, military families, wounded, ill and injured troops and their caregivers and families of the fallen. Every dollar raised will go directly to support USO programs and services.
The event will include a silent auction featuring many one-of-a-kind items provided by and autographed by Orioles players. The Orioles will also auction off the special "Stars and Stripes" hats the players wore during the July 4 game vs. the Texas Rangers. Hats are all game-worn, autographed and authenticated and will be auctioned on www.orioles.com/auction August 4 through August 11.
KIDS RUN THE BASES
Following their game on Sunday, August 4 against the Seattle Mariners, the Orioles will host a Kids Run the Bases event on the field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans 14 and under in attendance are invited to line up outside of Gate D beginning at the top of the 9th inning to go on-field and run the bases after the game. Registration is not necessary and there is no charge to participate in the event.
GIANT FOOD HONORARY BAT KIDS
Once again, the Orioles have partnered with Giant Food stores this summer to host the Giant Honorary Bat Kids program. Children ages 6-14 can enter by filling out an entry form at select Giant Food stores and submitting in the entry box in the store or mailing the form directly to the Baltimore Orioles. This program will take place through August 30. One boy and one girl will be selected to be the Honorary Bat Kids at each Orioles game, excluding Sundays. Winners will receive four tickets to the game, on-field access to watch Orioles batting practice and the opportunity to receive autographs and an Orioles t-shirt and hat. Each winner will also participate in an on-field, pre-game ceremony in which they will be presented with an official Honorary Bat Boy/Girl certificate and have a photo opportunity with the Oriole Bird.
ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
As part of the Orioles' Military Appreciation Program, sponsored by GEICO, the Orioles and OriolesREACH donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Oriole Park to servicemen and women. On Sunday, August 4, military members from KEYSTONE WOUNDED WARRIORS will enjoy the game vs. the Seattle Mariners from a catered suite, have an opportunity for a meet and greet with BRIAN MATUSZ and JIM JOHNSON and receive an Under Armour player t-shirt.
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. This year, the contestants will also get to keep the authentic base that they steal. This Sunday's winner is Sam Butz, a seven year old from Fallston, 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 |
| Tue, July 30 | GRREAT (Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training) |
| Wed, July 31 | Breathe Deep Baltimore |
| Thurs, Aug 1 | 24HoB |
| Fri, Aug 2 | All Shepherd Rescue |
| Sat, Aug 3 | Oriole Advocate Charitable Foundation |
| Sun, Aug 4 | Babe Ruth Foundation |
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. The program is supported by the following players: WILSON BETEMIT, ALEXI CASILLA, WEI-YIN CHEN, CHRIS DAVIS, JASON HAMMEL, J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, BRIAN MATUSZ, NICK MARKAKIS, NATE McLOUTH, CHRIS TILLMAN, TSUYOSHI WADA 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 |
| Tue, July 30 | People's Community | 150 | Wei-Yin Chen |
| Wed, July 31 | Dr. Rayner Browne Elementary | 150 | Brian Matusz |
| Thurs, Aug 1 | Recreation and Parks Youth | 150 | Tommy Hunter |
| Fri, Aug 2 | Camp United | 150 | Nate McLouth |
| Sat, Aug 3 | NAACP / Baltimore City Boy Scouts | 150 | Jason Hammel |
| Sun, Aug 4 | Celebration of Life Christian Ministry | 150 | Wei-Yin Chen |
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
| DATE | ITEM/OFFER | SPONSOR | ELIGIBILITY |
| Tue, July 30 | Ollie's Bargain Night | Ollie's Bargain Outlet | All Upper Reserve seats are $10 |
| Wed, July 31 | Junior Orioles Dugout Club Day | Pre-registered Dugout Club members | |
| Fri, Aug 2 | Orioles Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | All fans | |
| AT&T Student Night | AT&T | LF Upper Reserve $6 for all students | |
| Sat, Aug 3 | Junior Orioles Dugout Club Day | Pre-registered Dugout Club members | |
| Sun, Aug 4 | Kids Run the Bases (post-game) | All kids (14 and under | |
