From the Baltimore Orioles…
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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.
Alomar spent three seasons with the Orioles from 1996-98, compiling a .312 batting average, 50 home runs and 210 RBI in 412 regular season games. His .312 career average with the Orioles is the highest among all players in franchise history with at least 1,200 at-bats for the team and he ranks 9th all-time in slugging percentage (.480).
Pries worked for the Orioles for seven years from 1968 through 1974 as an area scout (1968-69), Director of Player Personnel (1970-72) and Assistant to the General Manager (1973-74). He oversaw the Orioles' farm system and worked with General Manager HARRY DALTON during the most successful period in club history, when the team went to the playoffs five times, winning three American League pennants and a World Series in 1970.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES
"TRIBUTE FOR HEROES" WINNER FIRST PITCH
On Saturday, July 27, prior to the Orioles' game against the Boston Red Sox, ROB JONES, a Charlottesville, VA native and the Orioles' winner of the "Tribute for Heroes" campaign, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The "Tribute for Heroes" campaign is a national initiative operated by Major League Baseball and PEOPLE Magazine that recognizes veterans and military service members and which builds upon both organizations' commitment to honoring our country's heroes.
Jones is a study in bravery and determination. After losing both legs to an IED in Taliban territory in Afghanistan in 2010, the combat engineer might have given up, but instead he fought back. Jones, who lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, used his recovery time learning to use his new prosthetic legs and reengaging with his passion for rowing. After intense training and several qualifying events, Rob and his rowing partner won the bronze medal at the 2012 Paralympics in London. Now, Jones plans to cycle across America for charity in fall 2013 to raise $1 million for charities aiding disabled veterans. Jones, a Purple Heart recipient, is also a motivational speaker, telling his story of triumph over adversity.
IN THE COMMUNITY
CHALLENGER BASEBALL CLINIC
On Saturday, July 27, Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball, in conjunction with the Baltimore Orioles, will hold a Fantasy Camp for Kids at Freedom Field in Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena. The clinic provides Challenger Baseball players the opportunity to learn baseball skills from current Orioles pitchers BRIAN MATUSZ and JIM JOHNSON and former Orioles RICK KRIVDA and VAL MAJEWSKI. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a variety of clinics providing over 40 Challenger Baseball players from Anne Arundel County, Frederick, Catonsville and Parkville the opportunity to learn pitching, throwing, catching and fielding skills. Each child will also receive a personalized replica Majestic Orioles Jersey, autographs and promotional items.
Further information about Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball can be found at www.OrioleAdvocates.org.
AT THE BALLPARK
ORIOLES REACH TO HOST 27th ANNUAL FOOD AND FUNDS DRIVE
The Orioles, along with the Orioles Wives, Oriole Advocates, WJZ-TV and the Maryland Food Bank will hold their 27th annual Food and Funds Drive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this weekend, July 26-28, during the Orioles' series with the Boston Red Sox. Members of these groups will collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations from fans at each entrance from the time gates open until the middle of the second inning during games this weekend.
Items most needed at this time according to the Maryland Food Bank are peanut butter, canned chicken, canned tuna, oatmeal, breakfast cereals and canned fruits and vegetables. Both drives benefit soup kitchens, food pantries and emergency shelters throughout Maryland. Von Paris Moving and Storage will pick up and deliver all items donated. Fans who cannot attend the games can donate food online at www.mdfoodbank.org/orioles.
During last year's OriolesREACH Food Drive, more than 4,000 pounds of food and $20,000 in cash donations were collected.
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. This Sunday, July 28, military members from NAVY OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER will enjoy the game vs. the Boston Red Sox from a catered suite and will have an opportunity for a meet and greet with CHRIS TILLMAN and TOMMY HUNTER 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 Aiden Bradley, a nine year old from Perry Hall, 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
Fri, July 26 Casey Cares Foundation
MLBPAA Auction (Gate E)
Sat, July 27 Baltimore Humane Society
MLBPAA Auction (Gate E)
Sun, July 28 Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation
MLBPAA Auction (Gate E)
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
Fri, July 26 James Mosher Little League 150 Matt Wieters
Sat, July 27 McFadden Youth from the 45th Legislative District 150 Alexi Casilla
Sun, July 28 Middle River Baptist Church Child Development Center 150 Jason Hammel
EVENTS AND TICKET OFFERS
DATE ITEM/OFFER SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
Fri, July 26 OriolesREACH Food and Funds Drive All fans
AT&T Student Night AT&T LF Upper Reserve $6 for all students
Sat, July 27 OriolesREACH Food and Funds Drive All fans
Sun, July 28 OriolesREACH Food and Funds Drive All fans
