Orioles to celebrate Military Appreciation Day this Friday

From the good folks at the Baltimore Orioles…

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Orioles to celebrate Military Appreciation Day this Friday

On Friday, June 14, the Orioles will celebrate Flag Day and the Army's Birthday as part of Military Appreciation Day and the team's ongoing military appreciation efforts. Pre-game ceremonies will include a swearing-in ceremony for future Army members as well as military involvement in the first pitch, presentation of colors and National Anthem. Col. Edward Rothstein, Retired Col. Bert Rice, Retired Sgt. Maj. Ray Moran and Col. Douglas Dillard will each throw out ceremonial first pitches on Friday. The U.S. Army, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment will present the colors and a vocalist from the U.S. Army Field Band will perform the National Anthem as nine active duty soldiers from Fort Meade take the field with Orioles players.

Orioles uniformed personnel will wear a special home cap and jersey that will feature a digicamo pattern designed into the twill (Orioles script, name and number). These jerseys and caps will be autographed and authenticated and auctioned online as a pair at www.orioles.com/auction beginning June 14 at 7:00 p.m. through June 21 at 11:59 p.m., with proceeds to benefit the Fort Meade Alliance Resiliency Center Fund. The Orioles will also donate 100 tickets to Fort Meade to bring military members to Friday night's game.

Promotions on Friday will include an Orioles Military Appreciation T-shirt presented by GEICO, available to the first 10,000 fans 15 and over attending the game. The shirt features the cartoon bird in the same digicamo print that the Orioles will wear on their jerseys and hats. And all fans will enjoy a post-game fireworks show with a patriotic theme.

On Memorial Day, Orioles players and coaches wore special camouflage Baltimore script jerseys during their road game against the Washington Nationals. The game-worn jerseys were autographed, authenticated and auctioned on www.orioles.com to benefit the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which benefits patients at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The Memorial Day jersey auction raised over $32,000. On Friday, June 14, members of the Yellow Ribbon Fund will be presented a check in a special pre-game ceremony.

SPECIAL CEREMONIES

HONORING THE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR
On Tuesday, June 11, the Orioles will honor the dedicated men and women of The Downtown Partnership's operations teams. Each year, members of these teams make significant contributions to the Baltimore community. Downtown Baltimore Guides assist more than 300,000 people, Clean Sweep Ambassadors remove more than 1,100 tons of trash from downtown streets and alleys, and Park Stewards provide and maintain downtown green spaces. On Tuesday, the Orioles will recognize three members of The Downtown Partnership who were recently honored as Employees of the Year for their outstanding performance: Baltimore Guide Robert Archer, Clean Sweep Ambassador Shanica Jones and Park Steward Zack Howard. The Orioles have also donated 240 tickets to The Downtown Partnership for Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

JUSTIN TUCKER FIRST PITCH
On Thursday, June 13, Baltimore Ravens kicker JUSTIN TUCKER will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Orioles' game against the Boston Red Sox. In his 2012 rookie season with the Ravens, Tucker scored 132 points and was 30-for-33 on field goal attempts, including 4-for-4 from 50-plus yards. Tucker scored 10 points in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII win and was 2-for-2 in field goal attempts.

JACOBY JONES FIRST PITCH
On Saturday, June 15, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver JACOBY JONES will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Orioles' game against the Red Sox. A 2012 Pro Bowl selection and First-Team All-Pro, Jones scored two touchdowns in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory, including a postseason-record 108-yard kickoff return.


IN THE COMMUNITY

CHRIS TILLMAN TEAM STORE AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
On Thursday, June 13 from noon to 1:00 p.m., CHRIS TILLMAN will sign autographs and greet fans at the Orioles Team Store in York, PA. The event, presented by Orioles Radio Network affiliate WSBA, is free of charge and open to the public. The Vote Orange Street Team will also be on hand to pass out promotional items designed to encourage fans to #VoteOrange.

BRIAN MATUSZ CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL VISIT
On Thursday, June 13 from noon to 1:00 p.m., BRIAN MATUSZ will visit with pediatric patients at the Herman and Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai on behalf of the Casey Cares Foundation, a charity that provides uplifting programs for critically ill children. This visit is not open to the public or to media coverage.


AT THE BALLPARK

FATHER'S DAY CATCH ON THE FIELD
For the first time ever at Oriole Park, the Orioles, in partnership with Majestic, will host more than 300 fans playing catch on the field on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, prior to that day's game against the Boston Red Sox. Proceeds totaling more than $15,000 from the sold out event benefit OriolesREACH and the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation.

PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION HOME RUN CHALLENGE
In the lead up to Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, Major League Baseball will partner with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer for the 17th annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge to raise funds for prostate cancer research and awareness efforts. From Tuesday, June 11 through June 16, fans can make a monetary pledge at www.homerunchallenge.org for each home run hit in all MLB games during the six-day period. Since its inception, the "Home Run Challenge" has raised over $40 million for prostate cancer research.

ORIOLES CELEBRATE FATHER'S DAY AND SUPPORT PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS
On Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, the Orioles will select a father to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to their game against the Boston Red Sox. Around the league, Major League Baseball players, managers, coaches, trainers, umpires and groundskeepers will promote prostate cancer awareness and show their support for those affected by the disease by wearing blue wristbands and blue ribbon uniform decals. Clubs will also use a special blue Major League Baseball Father's Day lineup card.

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 16, military members from LUKE'S WINGS will enjoy the game vs. the Boston Red Sox from a catered suite, have an opportunity for a meet and greet with DARREN O'DAY 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 Gabe Lehr, a 10-year old from Edgewater, 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:

Mon, June 10
Basset Rescue of the Old Dominion
MLBPAA Auction (Gate E)

Tue, June 11
Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue
MLBPAA Auction (Gate E)

Wed, June 12
Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore
MLBPAA Auction (Gate E)

Thurs, June 13
Dog Rescue of Maryland

Fri, June 14
Casey Cares Foundation

Sat, June 15
Babe Ruth Foundation

Sun, June 16
The Oriole Advocates Charitable 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:

Mon, June 10 – Patterson Park Public Charter School (150) Brian Matusz
Tue, June 11 – East Baltimore Community School & KidsPeace (150) Tommy Hunter
Wed, June – George Washington Elementary (150) Alexi Casilla
Thur, June 13 – Arlington Elementary (150) Brian Matusz
Fri, June 14 – Operation Timothy (150) Chris Davis
Sat, June 15 – Well of Living Water Worship Church (150) Jason Hammel
Sun, June 16 – Norwood Elementary School (150) Tommy Hunter


GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS

Tue, June 11  
Ollie's Bargain Night, Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Upper Reserve seats are $9

Fri, June 14
Orioles Military, GEICO, First 10,000 fans (15 & over)
Appreciation T-Shirt, AT&T
Student Night, AT&T, LF Upper Reserve $6 for all students
Fireworks, Post-game, all fans

Sun, June 16  
Father's Day Travel Kit, First 10,000 men (21 & over)

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