Orioles to raise awareness "4 ALS"
May is national ALS Awareness month. To continue baseball's long-standing commitment to raising awareness of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Major League Baseball and all 30 Clubs are once again teaming up for "4 ALS." On Thursday, May 30, the Orioles will host The Brigance Brigade Foundation. The Brigance Brigade Foundation, founded by former Baltimore Ravens player O.J. BRIGANCE and his wife Chanda, was created to equip, encourage and empower people living with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, an illness from which Brigance himself suffers. The Foundation strives to improve the quality of life of ALS patients and their families by providing much-needed equipment, resource guidance and support services, as well as funding for various ALS research initiatives. Chanda, accompanied by O.J., will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Orioles' game against the Washington Nationals. The Orioles have donated 100 tickets for Thursday's game to the Brigance Brigade Foundation for ALS patients and their families, as well as Foundation volunteers.
O.J. Brigance is a championship football player who is one of the few players to have won both a CFL and NFL championship and the only player to accomplish this feat in the same city, Baltimore. In 2000, Brigance played for the Baltimore Ravens and made the first tackle of their win in Super Bowl XXXV. After his retirement as a player, Brigance returned to Baltimore to serve as the Director of Player Development for the Ravens, and since 2010, Brigance has been the Ravens' Senior Advisor to Player Development.
For additional information on ALS awareness and ways to help those suffering from ALS, fans can visit the Community Booth at Oriole Park on Thursday.
IN THE COMMUNITY
CHRIS DAVIS "IT CAN WAIT" VISIT
On Thursday, May 30, Orioles first baseman CHRIS DAVIS will appear at Catonsville High School from 12-1 p.m. on behalf of AT&T to educate students and faculty on the dangers of texting while driving and generate awareness for AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign. AT&T will present to students a 10-minute documentary, "The Last Text," which recounts stories of families and students who have lost loved ones or been involved in accidents as a result of texting while driving. This event is open to the media. Catonsville High School is located at 421 Bloomsbury Ave, Baltimore, MD 21228.
JASON HAMMEL VISITS CURTIS BAY ELEMENTARY
As part of the ongoing OriolesREACH partnership with Baltimore City Schools, Orioles pitcher JASON HAMMEL will meet with over 500 students from Curtis Bay Elementary School on Thursday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to noon to talk about the importance of regular attendance. This appearance is one of a number that Orioles players and the Oriole Bird will participate in to support the City Schools' initiative to promote three core pillars of success among students – attendance, diversity and teamwork — over the final month of the school year. These pillars were identified as core character traits for students by Baltimore City Schools. Hammel will speak as a reward for those students who have reduced their absences by 50% through the "FAN"tastic Attendance Program. Students in grades K-8 will participate. Curtis Bay Elementary is located 4301 Tenth Street Baltimore, MD 21225.
AT THE BALLPARK
NEW MLB.COM AT THE BALLPARK OFFER FROM SOUTHWEST
Beginning this homestand, the Orioles have partnered with Southwest Airlines to offer the Southwest Airlines Check-in Offer Sweepstakes, to award one fan each homestand two Southwest Airlines round-trip tickets. Beginning today when the Orioles take on the Washington Nationals, fans may enter the sweepstakes by checking in at Oriole Park at Camden Yards via the MLB.com At the Ballpark mobile application. One winner will be selected for each of the Orioles' next six homestands through Sunday, August 25, and each will receive two Southwest Airlines round-trip tickets.
CHRIS DAVIS PLAYER OF THE MONTH RECOGNITION AND CHECK PRESENTATION
Prior to tonight's game, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations DAN DUQUETTE will help recognize first baseman CHRIS DAVIS for his April A.L. Player of the Month award in a special on-field ceremony. In April, Chris Davis batted .348 with eight doubles, nine home runs, 28 RBI, 19 runs scored and 16 walks in 27 games to claim his first career A.L. Player of the Month award. Davis will receive a specially engraved crystal trophy and an engraved watch from Major League Baseball for his accomplishments.
In recognition of Davis' performance, the Orioles will donate $2,500 to Luke's Wings, a non-profit military organization dedicated to the support of current and former service members who have been wounded in battle. Luke's Wings provides families with the means to visit injured service members during their hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Both Davis and DARREN O'DAY have partnered with Luke's Wings this season and will make a donation based on their on-field performance. O'Day will donate $40 for every batter he strikes out, and Davis will donate $100 for every home run he hits this season to the cause.
BROOKS ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR GAME AND PRESS CONFERENCE
The Orioles will host the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game press conference at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday, May 30 on the 6th floor of the Warehouse beginning at 11:00 a.m. Orioles Legend BROOKS ROBINSON will be on hand at the press conference to help announce and introduce the players, alternates and coaches from across the state of Maryland who have been selected to play in the game on Sunday, June 2 at Oriole Park, which will take place following the Orioles' 1:35 p.m. game against the Detroit Tigers. Prior to Sunday's Orioles vs. Tigers game, the All-Stars will be recognized in an on-field ceremony.
The Brooks Robinson High School All-Star game is a showcase for the best high school baseball players across Maryland. The game, which is sponsored by Geier Financial Group, will feature the best players from the northern half of Maryland against the best players from the southern half of the state. Geier Financial Group, based in Marriottsville, MD, has sponsored the game for the past 10 years to celebrate the legacy of Brooks Robinson and salute Maryland's best youth baseball players.
The Orioles have hosted the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game for 32 years, providing accommodations for the press conference, field use for the players, game tickets and recognition of the student-athletes in an on-field pre-game ceremony.
ORIOLES PET CALENDAR SHOOT
On Thursday May 30, the Orioles will conduct their 4th annual pet calendar photo shoot at Oriole Park. The photos will be used for the 2013/14 Orioles Player and Pet Calendar, presented by HIGH'S, with proceeds to benefit the Baltimore Animal and Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS). Players that are participating in the shoot include CHRIS DAVIS, MIGUEL GONZALEZ, JJ HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, MANNY MACHADO, NICK MARKAKIS, NATE McLOUTH, DARREN O'DAY, TROY PATTON, CHRIS TILLMAN and MATT WIETERS.
Players will pose with their own dogs and cats as well as animals up for adoption at BARCS. The calendars will go on sale at www.orioles.com later this season for $15. Last year's calendar proceeds, combined with other efforts supported by the Orioles, helped raise $50,000 for BARCS.
UNION NIGHT AT ORIOLE PARK
On Friday, May 31, the Orioles will host their annual Union Night at Oriole Park with more than 25,000 members of the American Federation Congress Industrial Organization. Members will throw out the first pitch and will be honored in a pre-game ceremony. Additionally, one dollar of every ticket sold will benefit the Baltimore AFL-CIO Community Services Food Pantry.
SCOUT DAY
On Sunday, June 2, over 2,000 Baltimore area boy scouts will attend the Orioles game against the Detroit Tigers. The Orioles will honor the top sellers in the Boy Scouts' popcorn selling fundraiser with a ballpark tour earlier in the day, the opportunity to watch batting practice from the field, presentation of the lineup card, Orioles Heavy Hitter award and the ceremonial first pitch. The top two sellers will enjoy two innings of the game from the grounds crew area, and all participants will receive a special Oriole Park at Camden Yards scout badge. Scouts have been selling their popcorn as part of the fundraiser since last summer.
PLAY SUN SMART
Commissioner Bud Selig, the Baltimore Orioles, and all of Major League Baseball urge fans to Play Sun Smart. For 15 years the American Academy of Dermatology and MLB have teamed up to educate the public on the dangers of sun exposure and to bring awareness to skin cancer prevention and detection.
On Sunday, June 2, Boy Scouts escorted by Orioles Assistant Athletic Trainer BRIAN EBEL will deliver sunscreen to each dugout prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers. Broadcasters will also wear special lapel pins in support of the initiative.
The most important thing fans can do to maintain healthy skin is check skin regularly and see a Board Certified Dermatologist. MLB encourages fans to always remember to apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses and put on an Orioles cap.
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, June 2, military members from Fort Meade will enjoy the game vs. the Detroit Tigers from a catered suite, have an opportunity for a meet and greet with CHRIS TILLMAN and MATT WIETERS 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 Elizabeth Rowe, an 8-year old from St. Leonard, 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
Wed, May 29 John's Hopkins Children Center
Thu, May 30 Brigance Brigade Foundation (Kids Corner location)
Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (Gate D)
Fri, May 31 The Oriole Advocate Charitable Foundation
Sat, June 1 American Legion Auxiliary
Sun, June 2 Boy Scouts
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. Tickets are provided courtesy of Orioles players. Players participating in the program this year include WILSON BETEMIT, ALEXI CASILLA, WEI- YIN CHEN, 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
Wed, May 29 Living Classrooms 150 Matt Wieters
Thu, May 30 Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle School 150 Adam Jones
Fri, May 31 Educational Talent Search Program of AACC 150 J.J. Hardy
Sat, June 1 Matthew Henson Elementary School 150 Chris Davis
Sun, June 2 West Side Elementary School 150 Alexi Casilla
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
DATE ITEM/OFFER SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
Wed, May 29 Crush Davis Power T-Shirt First 10,000 fans (15 and over)
Fri, May 31 AT&T Student Night AT&T LF Upper Reserve $6 for all students
Sun, June 2 Junior Orioles Dugout Club Pre-registered Dugout Club members
