Play Ball: Orioles Prepare For Spring Training Opener In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL -- The Orioles kick off their 2019 Spring Training season Saturday when the O's take on the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Team officials expect to celebrate their one millionth visitor to the Sarasota park during the first three home games.

"The ball club will select one fan at random on the day the milestone is reached to represent the one million fans," team officials said.

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If you are planning to attend any of the Orioles Spring Training games in Sarasota, you'll notice that O's players and managers will be wearing a commemorative “20” patch on their jerseys. This is to honor the legacy of Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who passed away on Feb. 7 at the age of 83.

Robinson, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1982, played 21 seasons in the Major Leagues, including six with Baltimore. He spent 16 years as a manager, guiding the Orioles from 1988-91, where he earned American League Manager of the Year honors in 1989. To this day, Robinson remains the only person in Orioles history to serve as a player, coach, manager and front office executive. He most recently served as a senior advisor to the commissioner and honorary president of the American League.

All fans in attendance on Opening Day will receive a 2019 Spring Training schedule magnet, presented by Visit Sarasota. The first 1,000 female fans (ages 15 and over) in attendance will receive a Birds of Paradise flower, courtesy of Beneva Flowers.

The Orioles will also highlight the team's Health & Fitness Challenge on opening day under a partnership with Sarasota County Schools. The challenge teaches middle school students to “eat, train, and live like the pros” by focusing on the importance of healthy eating, tobacco-free living, and physical fitness.

Sarasota Middle School’s Joyful Voices Honor Students will perform the national anthem before the game and “America the Beautiful” prior to the seventh-inning stretch. Hundreds of Fitness Challenge participants and their family members are expected to attend the game, and selected students who participated in the challenge will take the field with the Orioles for the "National Anthem."

The Orioles will continue their popular Birdland Community Heroes program at every weekend home game this spring by recognizing local community heroes who inspire through their spirited commitment to extend a hand in charity, service, hope, and harmony.

The team will honor heroes during a ceremony at the conclusion of the fifth inning with Lynn Bonnett receiving the honor posthumously at the spring opener. Bonnett was a dedicated community volunteer supporting the Sarasota YMCA and Sarasota High School baseball. He helped establish the long-running Sarasota Baseball Classic and facilitated many other youth tournaments in Sarasota County. He also coordinated parking at Ed Smith Stadium for many years to benefit the Sarasota YMCA.

At Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles will also pay tribute to Robinson with a “20” display above the scoreboard throughout the spring and with a video tribute and moment of silence prior to Saturday’s Spring Training home opener against the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 p.m.

The Orioles “One Millionth Fan” will receive a $5,000 shopping experience at Diamond Vault in Sarasota, two Spring Training season tickets for five years, and more.

Fans can enjoy fun activities, special events, and giveaways all season long. Every Sunday home game, Applebee’s presents “Kids Run The Bases”, when fans ages 4 to 14 will be invited to run the bases after the game. On Feb. 26 and March 5, fans ages 60 and over will be invited onto the field for “Seniors Run The Bases.”

On March 14, the Orioles celebrate Heroes Day, featuring a demonstration by the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team, “The Para-Commandos,” presented by Cheney Brothers.

On March 17, Go Green Day, the first 3,000 fans (ages 15 and over) will receive a “Go Green” tote bag, courtesy of MLB Network. Orioles players will wear specially designed green caps that will be autographed, authenticated, and auctioned online to benefit conservation education programs at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.

On March 19, the first 3,000 fans (ages 15 and over) will receive an Orioles pashmina scarf. On March 23, dazzling fireworks will light up the night sky after the game as the Herald-Tribune presents Fireworks Night.

Youth Baseball Day presented by Sun-N-Fun Resort will be March 24. Pre-registered youth teams will parade around the outfield. The first 4,000 fans (ages 15 and over) will receive a Trey Mancini bobblehead.

Throughout the season, ballpark gates will open two hours prior to the scheduled first pitch. Season plan members will be able to access the ballpark 20 minutes early through a dedicated entrance at the Home Plate Gate for all 17 home games, including Opening Day.

The gates for Saturday's game open at 11:05 a.m.; 10:45 a.m. for season plan members. Here is the schedule for Saturday's game:

• 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Orioles Batting Practice
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Twins Batting Practice
• 1:05 p.m. Game time.

Tickets for the Orioles Spring Training home opener are still available and can be purchased at the ticket box office at Ed Smith Stadium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at Orioles.com/Spring, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Patch readers can receive a 10 percent discount by clicking here and entering the code: PATCHTICKETS10. TicketNetwork is a Patch promotional partner.

In the nine years since the Orioles moved Major League Spring Training to Sarasota, more than 985,000 fans have visited Ed Smith Stadium.

An independent analysis commissioned by Sarasota County Government concluded that the Orioles generate approximately $97 million in annual economic impact back to taxpayers and residents. Visit Orioles.com/Sarasota.

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