As a “thank you” to fans for their support throughout the 2012 season, the Orioles will hold their annual Fan Appreciation Celebration during their last series of the season when they host the Boston Red Sox for three games, Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30 at Oriole Park.
The three day celebration includes many opportunities for the Orioles to give back to their fans. Celebrations on Friday, September 28 include randomly selecting a fan to throw out the first pitch, randomly selecting nine fans to take the field with Orioles starters for the National Anthem, and post-game fireworks for all fans in attendance.
Fans attending the game on Saturday, September 29 will be eligible to receive various prizes that will be given out throughout the game. Prizes include 2013 Opening Day tickets, a 13-game 2013 season ticket plan, and several autographed items.
On Sunday, September 30, the first 20,000 fans 15 and over will receive a J.J. HARDY Fans’ Choice Bobblehead, presented by AT&T. The “Shirts Off Our Back” Ceremony will also take place on Sunday, in which a randomly selected fan will be chosen for several members of the Orioles team to join the players in a pre-game ceremony on the field. These fans will receive the autographed jersey of their assigned player at a later date after the season concludes.
Fans are encouraged to wear Orioles clothing and arrive at the ballpark early each day.
ORIOLES LEGENDS CELEBRATION SERIES CONCLUDES WITH BROOK ROBINSON SCULPTURE UNVEILING SATURDAY
On Saturday, September 29, Hall of Famer BROOKS ROBINSON will be the sixth and final Oriole honored as part of the Orioles Legends Celebration Series. A larger-than-life bronze sculpture of Robinson will be revealed in a ceremony in the Legends Area beyond center field beginning at 5:15 p.m. All gates open at 5:00 p.m., and all fans in attendance will receive a replica of the sculpture. Robinson will also be honored in an on-field ceremony and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.
Earlier this season the Orioles honored FRANK ROBINSON, EARL WEAVER, JIM PALMER, EDDIE MURRAY and CAL RIPKEN JR. Fans are encouraged to visit www.orioles.com/legends for more information on the the unveiling ceremonies.
IN THE COMMUNITY
BARCS APPEARANCE
On Saturday, September 29, JAKE ARRIETA, WEI-YIN CHEN, BRIAN MATUSZ, NATE MCLOUTH, and CHRIS TILLMAN will be on hand at the BARCs animal shelter from noon to 2:00 p.m to sign autographs for those who purchase a 2013 Orioles Player & Pet Calendar. Calendars are $15 and all proceeds will benefit BARCS. Special orange and black pet merchandise and BARCS T-shirts will also be on sale, and fans will have the opportunity to win Orioles tickets and promotional items.
AT THE BALLPARK
ADAM JONES KEY TO THE CITY CEREMONY
In a special on-field ceremony tonight, ADAM JONES will be presented with a Key to the City by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Jones will be recognized for his commitment to the city of Baltimore, particularly its youth. The Key to the City is the highest honor given by the Office of the Mayor and is reserved for esteemed residents and visitors. Youth from the Y of Central Maryland will also attend the ceremony as Jones has worked extensively with the organization and contributed $7,500 to them last year.
“THE ORIOLE WAY” PLAYER AWARD
The Oriole Advocates, Inc., with the cooperation and support of the Baltimore Orioles, have created The Oriole Way Award to recognize an Oriole player who has made significant contributions both on and off the field and who demonstrates a sincere willingness and desire to serve the community. The award will be presented annually to a Baltimore Orioles player whose active participation in the community embraces the Oriole Advocates’ mission of promoting and stimulating interest in baseball. The first winner of this award is pitcher JIM JOHNSON, who will be presented with the award in an on-field ceremony prior to the Orioles game against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, September 30. Johnson is being recognized for his contributions to community events such as the Miracle League Field in Sarasota-Bradenton, which was created to provide the opportunity for all kids to play baseball regardless of physical abilities, and his active participation in the Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball Program at Lake Waterford Park at which he instructed Challenger players on fielding skills. Jim also donates to the Orioles Sunday Suite Program which provides a catered private suite for Orioles Sunday homes game. He also meets all soldiers on the field prior to games and provides them an Orioles Military Hat and Under Armour Player Shirt.
MOST VALUABLE ORIOLE
In a pre-game ceremony on Sunday, September 30, the Orioles will honor the 2012 Most Valuable Oriole as selected by local media. Baltimore and Washington chapter of BBWAA President Dan Connolly will present the award.
ORIOLES PLAYER AND PET CALENDAR PRESENTED BY SOUTHWEST
The fourth annual Orioles Player and Pet Calendar, presented by Southwest Airlines, is currently on sale at www.orioles.com. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar, which has sold out each of the last three seasons, will benefit the Baltimore Animal and Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS). The 15-month full-color calendars are $15.
Orioles players were photographed with their pets and with pets up for adoption at BARCS. Many Orioles participated, including manager BUCK SHOWALTER with his Bassett Hounds Sader, Webster, Jasper and Opie; MATT WIETERS with his German Shepherd rescue, Millie, and rescue cats, Omaha & Ducky; ADAM JONES with his Lab mix rescue named Missy; and JJ HARDY with Dutchhess, a Shepherd-Husky mix from BARCS.
BARCS needs over 1,679 adoptions from August 1 to October 31 to be eligible to receive a $100,000 prize from ASPCA’s national Rachael Ray 100K challenge. Adoption fees will be waived during this time. Through this funding, BARCS will be able to assist hundreds of additional animals in need in the Baltimore area. For additional information, see www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org.
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, September 30, military members from the Wounded Warriors Project will enjoy the game vs. the Boston Red Sox from a catered suite and will have an opportunity for a meet and greet with JAKE ARRIETA and ZACH BRITTON, and receive an Under Armour Player t-shirt.
STEAL SECOND BASE PRESENTED BY ESSKAY
The Orioles again featured 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 were able to sign up for the opportunity at the ballpark at any Fan Assistance Center. The lucky winners received four tickets to that day’s game, gift certificates to use inside the park, an Orioles jersey and an Orioles prize pack. This year, for the first time, the contestants also got to keep the authentic base that they stole. This Sunday’s winner is Isabel Ruiz, a ten year old from Westminster, 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, September 28 Pets with Disabilities
BARCS (Kids Corner)
Sat, September 29 Babe Ruth Museum
BARCS (Kids Corner)
Sun, September 30 Babe Ruth Museum
BARCS (Kids Corner)
ORIOLES REACH GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
This season, OriolesREACH will again host thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the OriolesREACH 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 ROBERT ANDINO, WILSON BETEMIT, WEI-YIN CHEN, JJ HARDY, ADAM JONES, NICK MARKAKIS and BRIAN MATUSZ. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players:
DATE ORGANIZATION SIZE PLAYER SPONSOR
Fri, September 28 Morgan State University Head Start Program 150 Adam Jones
Sat, September 29 Greencastle Elementary School 150 Jake Arrieta
Sun, September 30 Baltimore Dream Center 150 Brian Matusz
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
| DATE | ITEM/OFFER | SPONSOR | ELIGIBILITY |
| Fri, September 28 | AT&T Student Night | AT&T | LF Upper Reserve seats $6 for students with valid school ID |
| Fan Appreciation Celebration | All fans | ||
| Fireworks (Postgame) | All fans | ||
| Sat, September 29 | Brooks Robinson Replica Sculpture | All fans | |
| Fan Appreciation Celebration | All fans | ||
| Sun, September 30 | J.J Hardy Bobblehead | AT&T | First 20,000 fans (15 & over) |
| Fan Appreciation Celebration | All fans |
