Bid on Special Shorebirds Patriotic Jerseys TODAY!

 

The Delmarva Shorebirds will be wearing special Patriotic Jerseys on Saturday, September 11, 2021 to honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with proceeds benefitting Operation We Care. The jerseys are auctioned off online from Saturday, September 11 to Sunday, September 19 and fans can place their bids starting at noon on September 11, 2021 on these authentic game-worn, autographed jerseys by clicking here or the button below.

Bids start at $100 increasing in increments of $10 and fans can choose whether to have the jersey shipped to them or picked up at the stadium at checkout. In addition, auctions will end between the hours of 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM on Sunday, September 19. If a bid is placed with less than 5 minutes left in the auction, 5 minutes will be added extending the auction.

After the jersey auction is completed, the Shorebirds will reach out to the winners to inform everyone when the jerseys are ready for pickup or the timeline to be mailed out

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office at 410-219-3112 or email the Shorebirds at [email protected].

Baysox Host Military Appreciation Event Sept. 18

 

Bowie, Md: The Bowie Baysox will salute those who have served or are currently serving in our nation’s armed forces during Military Appreciation Night, presented by Valor Home, on Saturday, September 18, 2021, when the Baysox host the Altoona Curve, Double-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:35 pm.

The event takes place during the Baysox final weekend of the 2021 regular season and will feature a host of themed activities, events, fundraisers and tributes to military personnel to show support and gratitude for all active and retired service personnel.

During the game, Baysox players and coaches will wear specially designed jerseys for the event that will be auctioned during the game. A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit the Travis Manion Foundation. Manion was an experienced Iraq war veteran who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 2007 while leading a counterattack against enemy forces. Additional information on Travis Manion and the Travis Manion Foundation can be found at TravisManion.org.

A portion of ticket sales proceeds for this game will also benefit the Travis Manion Foundation. To purchase tickets and support this effort, fans can go to Baysox.com/tickets, select the September 18 game date, enter the code VALOR (all caps) in the special offer code box and purchase tickets. Five dollars of each ticket purchased for the Sept. 18 game through the special offer code will benefit the Travis Manion Foundation.

Active and retired members of the military can also take advantage of a Baysox military ticket discount on Reserved Seat Tickets (200 seating level) and General Admission Tickets for this event. To purchase, go to Baysox.com, call 301.464.4865 or stop by the Baysox Ticket Office at Prince George’s Stadium.

“When the opportunity arose to work with the Bowie Baysox, Valor Home jumped at the chance to partner with them to honor our region’s military. Our company is a veteran based and centric organization that believes in giving back” said Brian Bauer, Co-Owner of Valor Home. “The old saying is: give back till it hurts. Al Kincaid, our co-founder says, “Give back till it feels good!” We believe that the foundation and spirit of America is alive and well in the game of baseball. We are honored to take part in Military Appreciation Night. Let’s play ball!”

“The Bowie Baysox have a long track record of supporting and hosting our region’s military and veterans” said Baysox Assistant General Manager Phil Wrye. “With over 20 years of hosting Navy Night and programs to bring service members from Joint Base Andrews, Fort Meade, AMVETS and more to the ballpark, we are excited to partner with Valor Home on this very special event.”

The Bowie Baysox are the Double-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Bowie Baysox 2021 season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. To keep up with Baysox news, visit baysox.com and be sure to follow the Baysox on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Baysox Host Heroes Day Sunday, July 25

 

Bowie Baysox To Host Heroes Day To Celebrate First Responders

Law Enforcement, Firefighters and EMS Personnel Can Get Free Tickets

To The Baysox Game Sunday, July 25

Bowie, Md: The Bowie Baysox, Double-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles announce today that the team will host Heroes Day on Sunday, July 25 at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, MD when they take on the Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. The game on Sunday, July 25 will take place at 1:35 pm and a portion of the ticket sales from the game will benefit the Children’s Cancer Foundation in Columbia, MD. (https://childrenscancerfoundation.org/)

All Law Enforcement, Firefighters and EMS personnel are invited to attend this Sunday’s game for FREE! To obtain the free tickets, Law Enforcement, Fire or EMS personnel will need to present their valid, active-duty badge or identification badge at the Bowie Baysox Ticket Office on Sunday, July 25. Two free tickets to Sunday’s game will be issued to that first responder to come in and enjoy the game.

Heroes Day at the Baysox will feature a day of giving back as the team has partnered with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department to feature a charity softball game following the Baysox game against Hartford. The softball game will pit the Anne Arundel County Fire Department against the Mid-Atlantic Fire Department in a competitive on-field battle for softball supremacy. This is the second year that this event has taken place following a Baysox game, the first time was in 2019. All fans attending the Baysox game on Sunday, July 25 are invited to stay and enjoy the softball game.

All fans are also encouraged to come dressed in their favorite hero costume or animated hero character apparel. There will also be some great costumed characters in attendance for fans to meet and take photos with including a Panther and American Captain.

Baysox players and team members will also be wearing specially designed jerseys for this game that will be auctioned with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Children’s Cancer Foundation of Columbia.

Fans wishing to purchase tickets to this event and to have part of their ticket price donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation can CLICK HERE and use the special code HEROES (all caps) when purchasing tickets for the July 25 game. Five dollars for each ticket purchased with the code HEROES will be donated to CCF through tickets purchased by 11:59 pm Friday, July 23.

The 2021 Baysox season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. For a complete Baysox 2021 schedule and list of promotional events, CLICK HERE.

Shorebirds to host Salisbury Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Friday, October 9 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium

 

TidalHealth’s Salisbury Drive-Thru Flu Clinic is returning for its 26th season on Friday, October 9, 2020 at Arthur W. Perdue (Shorebirds) Stadium at the intersection of Route 50 and Hobbs Road from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Seasonal quadrivalent flu vaccinations will be administered to individuals 13 years of age or older (13-17 please bring a parent or legal guardian to sign consent). A physician’s order is not necessary. Flu shots at the TidalHealth Salisbury Drive-Thru Clinic will be FREE.

TidalHealth will not be providing any COVID-19 testing at this event. In accordance with COVID-19 safety precautions, all clinical and non-clinical staff working the Drive-Thru Flu Clinic will be in appropriate personal protective equipment. Direct contact with participants will be limited. TidalHealth is also asking participants to please wear protective masking in their vehicles when in contact with any staff members at the flu clinic.

Flu vaccinations are encouraged for anyone over the age of 6 months, but especially for people over the age of 65, people with heart or lung disorders, immunosuppressant diseases or diabetes. Participants are encouraged to wear a short-sleeved shirt that will provide easy access to the upper arm. The vaccine being administered is effective for everyone meeting the age restrictions.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend TidalHealth’s Salisbury Drive-Thru Flu Clinic on Friday, October 9 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Shorebirds Baseball Camp Set for August 25 – 27

 

The Delmarva Shorebirds are excited to announce that we will be hosting a 3-day Shorebirds Baseball Camp from August 25 – 27 with each day running from 9 AM to 12 PM. The camp is limited to the first 50 people ages 5 – 12 and will be led under the instruction of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball staff including Hawks Head Coach Brian Hollamon.

“We have a tremendous relationship with Coach Hollamon and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and are excited to partner together for the Shorebirds Baseball Camp,” said Shorebirds General Manager Chris Bitters. “Throughout these unprecedented times, we all have been forced to adapt, but we are thankful that we are still going to be able to host our annual baseball camp and continue to teach the game of baseball to our youth with first-class instruction from Coach Hollamon and his staff.”

The camp will run from 9 AM to 12 PM each day from August 25 through August 27 and costs $120 per camper for the entire event. Each camper will receive lunch after each day and one Camp T-Shirt that is all included with your child’s registration for the Shorebirds Baseball Camp. To register for this event, please click here or go to our website at www.theshorebirds.com.

Coach Hollamon has been the skipper of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore since August of 2017 as 2020 marked his 3rd season with the Hawks. Hollamon is a fixture in the Delmarva baseball community, after coaching Parkside High School to 14 straight winning seasons, two-state finalist appearances, and earning the accolades of Bayside South Coach of the Year three times and District 8 Coach of the Year twice before taking the helm for the NCAA Division 1, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks.

All campers are required to bring their own equipment and campers will not be permitted to share equipment due to local and state health guidelines. Baseballs will be provided and we ask that all campers please arrive in proper baseball attire by 8:45 AM each day.

Parents are allowed to watch the camp inside Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, but will be required to wear a mask until reaching their seat. Campers should wear a mask when arriving to the stadium, but will not be required to wear masks when participating in athletic activities and the Shorebirds will be sanitizing all frequently touched areas throughout the event.

To register, please visit theshorebirds.com by clicking here. If you have any questions at all in regard to the event, please email [email protected] or call 410-219-3112.

Delmarva Shorebirds Announce Inaugural Fly Together Virtual 5K

 

SALISBURY, MD. — The Delmarva Shorebirds are excited to announce their first-ever Fly Together Virtual 5K with all the proceeds going towards Operation We Care from May 7 – 10. The Shorebirds Virtual 5K is family fun for all and we encourage you to get up and get active while supporting a great cause.

There are two different ways for people to participate in the Shorebirds Fly Together Virtual 5K with registration open now until May 10. The first option — $10 — includes your entry into the 5K and a certificate of completion. The second option — $20 — includes entry into the 5K, certificate of completion, and 2 Upper Reserved Tickets to a Shorebirds future game date (Exclusions Apply and Based on Availability).

“We are excited to kick off our first-ever Fly Together Virtual 5K to help support our community, Operation We Care, and all those fighting on the front lines against COVID-19,” said Shorebirds General Manager, Chris Bitters. “The Fly Together Virtual 5K is a community-focused event that provides a fun, healthy, and safe activity for all people as we await the beginning of baseball season.”

How the Fly Together Virtual 5K works is simple. All you have to do is register online at www.theshorebirds.com, grab your walking/running shoes, and walk or run a 5K. Once you have completed the 5K, send your pictures and/or times to the Delmarva Shorebirds via social media using the hashtag #FlyTogether, and don’t forget to wear some Shorebirds gear!

“We hope everyone is able to join us for the Fly Together Virtual 5K to support a great cause in Operation We Care,” said Bitters. “Our goal with the 5K is to bring everyone together, but apart with a fun community activity as we continue to fight through these challenging times together as a community.”

Lastly and possibly the best part, you can walk/run the 5K all from your home in one shot or you can split it up over the course of the weekend. For more information in regard to the Fly Together Virtual 5K or to register, please visit the Shorebirds website at www.theshorebirds.com.

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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LLC, which also owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds will celebrate their 25th season in 2020 and have entertained over five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland in 1996. The team captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 and successfully hosted the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com

Baysox to Hold National Anthem Auditions March 14

 

BOWIE, Md – The Bowie Baysox will host live auditions at Prince George’s Stadium on Saturday, March 14, to sing the national anthem before a 2020 Baysox home game. Stadium gates open for registration at 9 a.m. and auditions begin at 9:30 a.m. The team featrures a live performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before all 70 home games.

Every participant must register in person, and auditions are conducted on a first-come, first-audition basis. The auditions are held rain or shine, and no word sheets are allowed during the audition. All auditions must be done in person, meaning that no recordings or videos are accepted for review. People who either performed or were approved to perform last season do not have to audition again this year.
The auditions are open to any individual or small group that is interested, and instrumentalists are permitted. Large church or school groups interested in performing the national anthem at a game should call the Baysox at (301) 464-4880.

The Bowie Baysox 2020 season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. The Baysox will return in 2020 to celebrate their 28th Season. The team’s 2019 home opener will be Thursday, April 9, against the Richmond Flying Squirrels at 6:35 p.m. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com and be sure to follow the Baysox on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Keys National Anthem Auditions Around the Corner

 

FREDERICK, MD -Local area singers and musicians can begin preparing for the 2020 Frederick Keys National Anthem auditions. Taking place on Tuesday, March 3, auditions are once again set to take place at the FSK Mall in Center Court from 5-8 p.m.

“You get so excited for the game when you have a great rendition of the national anthem beforehand,” said Keys Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting, Geoff Arnold. “Each year at Keys games I am impressed by the awesome talent in our community and I can’t wait to see what is out there in 2020.”

Individuals or groups who want to participate in this year’s auditions must pre-register by visiting frederickkeys.com. The participation form is available here and can also be found by clicking on the national anthem panel located on the main homepage.

National anthem forms MUST be submitted to Dani Fox by email, mail, fax or by dropping off at the Keys main office. To email Dani or for any additional questions, reach out to DFox@frederickkeys.com or call 301-662-0013.

March 3 is the ONLY day national anthem auditions will take place this year. Due to a large pool of tryout candidates, those who cannot make the auditions will not be able to perform in 2020. Video/audio links in place of an in-person tryout will not be accepted.

Once again, performers will be evaluated by a panel of judges from Key 103, 106.9 The Eagle as well as members of the Keys staff. Tryout results will be posted on the club’s social media platforms. Those who are selected to sing will be contacted to set up a date.

General rules/guidelines about the audition process:

-Tryouts occur on a first-come-first-serve basis

-Participants can either sing or play an instrument, but each individual gets only ONE audition

-Participants will sing/play the first verse of the national anthem in its entirety (“O say can you see to “and the home of the brave”)

-No musical accompaniment is provided

-No other songs may be performed at the tryout

-Solo acts and groups are equally encouraged to tryout

-Although there are no age restrictions for singing the national anthem at a Keys game, those who audition need to be comfortable singing in front of a large crowd

The Keys season begins on Thursday, April 9. A link to the entire schedule for the Keys 2020 season is available here and fireworks shows are scheduled for Friday and Saturday night home games and other select days during the season. Ticket plans are currently available, with plans including the choice of a John Means bobblehead or a Keys pennant. Fans can stay tuned to the latest team news by following the team on Twitter (@frederickkeys), Facebook and Instagram (@frederickkeys).

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Elias, Donations Highlight Jam-Packed Hot Stove Banquet

 

SALISBURY, MD – An appearance from the Orioles’ general manager and a donation to a new Wicomico County project became highlights of the 19th annual Shorebirds Hot Stove Banquet, held on Thursday, January 23, at the Wicomico Civic Center in preparation for the silver anniversary season of Delmarva Shorebirds baseball.

The keynote speaker for the event was Mike Elias, general manager and executive vice president of the Baltimore Orioles. Elias, who last visited Salisbury for the Shorebirds’ playoff game on September 6, took questions from the audience and spoke at length about the importance of Delmarva and Baltimore’s other minor league affiliates in reversing the Orioles’ major league fortunes in the coming years.

“Some of the names we’ve been reading about are going to start to arrive in Camden Yards,” said Elias. “It’s still about player development and those individual performances and not necessarily the team’s win-and-loss record. Those guys are taking steps forward, graduating to the big leagues and adjusting to big-league life.”

Elias also paid one last homage to the 2019 Shorebirds, who won a franchise-record 90 games en route to a South Atlantic League postseason berth and earned MiLB.com Minor League Team of the Year honors. Delmarva was one of four Orioles affilates who either made the playoffs (Bowie), contended until the season’s final day (Aberdeen), or finished with their league’s best record (Gulf Coast League Orioles).

“It’s exactly what you want to see, especially when you’re in a rebuild,” said Elias. “We’re focused on that type of success. The success of teams like the Shorebirds is really going to dictate what we do the next couple of years in Baltimore.”

Before Elias’ keynote address, the Civic Center crowd of almost 300 heard from several other speakers, including Shorebirds General Manager Chris Bitters and 7th Inning Stretch LP President Pat Filippone. Orioles Director of Minor League Operations Kent Qualls was also scheduled to speak but was unable to attend due to unscheduled business.

Bitters announced during his presentation that the Shorebirds were donating $25,000 to Field 7 ½, a new initiative from the Wicomico County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism designed to provide individuals with physical or mental disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. Bitters presented a ceremonial check on-stage to Department Director Steve Miller.

In addition to the Field 7 ½ donation, the Shorebirds held a silent auction and raffle in order to raise funds for two other charitable partners. The auction and raffle brought in nearly $3,000 for the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, partner of the Shorebirds Fly Together Fund, and the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore.

The Shorebirds also presented hardware to their 2019 Fan of the Year, longtime season ticket holder and player host family mom Vicki Parks. Caroline Beauchamp, Shorebirds head groundskeeper, was named Employee of the Year by the Delmarva Shorebirds Fan Club.

The night served as the downbeat for the 25th season of Delmarva Shorebirds baseball, set to begin on Thursday, April 9, against the Asheville Tourists at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. Season tickets are now on sale and single-game tickets will be unveiled week-by-week for online purchase in the coming weeks.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Keys Announce Date for 2020 Job Fair

 

FREDERICK, MD -If you are searching for a fun seasonal job, look no farther than the Frederick Keys! The team is holding its annual job fair on Tuesday, February 25 and Wednesday, February 26. Interviews take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Mattress Warehouse Club on the club level of Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.

Individuals interested in joining the Keys need to attend the job fair only ONE NIGHT. Interviews are handled on a first-come-first serve basis. There is no limit on how many positions someone can interview for (though bat boys must be 16 and older).

All roles pay an hourly rate. The Keys WILL NOT be interviewing for any full-time positions. In addition to interviews conducted by Keys staff, Spectra representatives will be in attendance to interview candidates for positions in concessions and merchandise. Department heads will contact candidates selected for employment in the weeks following the job fair. Interviewing for an available position does not guarantee employment.

To take place in the job fair individuals need to fill out an application by clicking here. This can also be accessed by visiting frederickkeys.com, going to the Nymeo Field at HGS tab and clicking on “job opportunities.” Those who plan to interview for a position(s) should bring a copy of their resume.

The Keys plan to interview for the following roles:

-Ushers

-Bat Boys (16 and older only)

-Ticket Sellers and Ticket Takers

-Fun Zone

-Birthday and Picnic Hosts

-On-field Emcee

-Camera Operators

-Mascots

-Music and Message Center

-Grounds Crew

The Keys season begins on Thursday, April 9. A link to the entire schedule for the Keys 2020 season is available here and fireworks shows are scheduled for Friday and Saturday night home games and other select days during the season. Ticket plans are currently available, with plans including the choice of a John Means bobblehead or a Keys pennant. Fans can stay tuned to the latest team news by following the team on Twitter (@frederickkeys), Facebook and Instagram (@frederickkeys).

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Shorebirds Participate in Wreaths Across America

 

SALISBURY, MD – Last month the Delmarva Shorebirds had the chance to participate in one of the crown jewels of the Eastern Shore community service calendar. The Shorebirds participated in the annual Wreaths Across America drive, held locally at Parsons Cemetery in Salisbury on Saturday morning, December 14.

“Being involved in the community is a top priority for the Shorebirds,” said general manager Chris Bitters. “This is a wonderful project, both locally and nationally, and we’re glad to have been even more involved this year than we have in the past.”

The mission of Wreaths Across America is to “Remember, Honor, and Teach.” Through a coordinated national effort, hundreds of volunteers placed wreaths on the graves of fallen members of the U.S. military throughout all 50 states.

Following a brief ceremony to mark the occasion at Parsons Cemetery, over 200 local volunteers, including eight members of the Shorebirds front office, placed wreaths on 900 tombstones of veterans from each branch of the armed forces. In addition, the Shorebirds donated $3,000 to Wreaths Across America to help ensure the program continues in its mission for years to come.

“It’s always important for the Shorebirds to participate in their community,” said assistant general manager Jimmy Sweet, “but at this time of the year I think we should always pay tribute to those who laid down their lives to make sure we can be a free people and do what we want in our country.”

The Delmarva Shorebirds salute Wreaths Across America and are grateful to have this yearly chance to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.

 

Delmarva Shorebirds
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LP, which also owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds will celebrate their 25th season in 2020 and have entertained over five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland in 1996. The team captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 and successfully hosted the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Keys Care Grant Recipients Announced for 2020

 

FREDERICK, MD -The Frederick Keys are excited to announce their Frederick Keys Care grant recipients for 2019-20. Keys Care supports local non-profit organizations in Frederick County who provide direct aid to disadvantaged youth and young adults. The Keys Care Fund is part of the Community Foundation of Frederick County’s Universal Grant Application funding program. Grants are awarded each fall for the next calendar year, while any Frederick County 501 (c) (3) organization which provides direct aid to county youth is eligible to apply for a grant.

Started in 1999 as the Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund, Keys Care was created to honor the memory of Stephens, a former Orioles farmhand. Passing away at only 22 years old due to colon cancer, Joel’s commitment to community service and helping young people set him apart as a player.

Since Keys Care was founded, over $90,000 in grants has been awarded to local youth-based organizations. For the 2019-20 grant period, over $11,000 will be given out to five different organizations.

Advocates for Homeless Families: Strives to achieve permanent solutions to homelessness by providing access to housing, education, employment and supportive services to Frederick County families who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. This year’s grant supports enriching after-school and summer activities for approximately 20 children, ages 3-14 who participate with their families in transitional and rapid rehousing programs. Funding would support activities such as karate, tennis, dance, cooking, athletics, church and day camp as well as pool passes for all participating children ($1,500).

Blessings in a Backpack: Provides weekend backpacks of food to children from Pre-K through eighth grade who depend on school meals as their primary source of nutrition Monday-Friday. Starting in 2015-16, a special request was made to assist special needs young adults. These 18-21-year-olds Success Program students have recently received high school certificates and deal with the stresses of food insecurity over weekends and school breaks as they learn life skills in order to live independent and productive lives. This year’s grant will help provide food to 15 low-income Success Program students for a fifth straight year ($1,500).

Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP): Provides urgent resources and critical services to the hundreds of Frederick County youth experiencing homelessness each year. Funding benefits the New Horizons Academy which provides academic and life skills that will help homeless students get back on track or remain on track for a successful high school graduation. For five weeks each summer, Frederick County youth who experience homelessness can participate in morning instruction from one of four courses mandatory for graduation. After lunch, each student participates in one hour of life skills instruction ($2,000).

YMCA of Frederick County: The Kids Unlimited program provides summer camps for children with autism and other special needs. This program was founded to give these children a safe, nurturing and enriching summer program. Prior to Kids Unlimited, there was no summer program to serve children with special needs. Grant funds will be used to support this program, which will give participants a chance to have fun with arts and crafts, sensory activities, cooking, sports and group games. Field trips will be planned, while integration with other camp programs will help campers develop social skills and enjoy other fun opportunities ($2,200).

Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley: A program aimed at youth between 14-24 years old, who may have a disability and who has a parent that is a veteran, deceased or may have a serious illness. This program is designed to work with 2-3 youth in empowerment in all areas of their lives under a holistic framework. A GIMV Youth Coordinator would work directly with each individual to design a personal development plan specifically designed to empower and promote growth ($3,829.56).

All fund recipients will be recognized prior to a 2020 Keys game and are invited to the annual Frederick Keys Care Charity Golf Classic. Fans who want to learn ways to donate to Frederick Keys Care can visit fredererickkeys.com and click on the “Community” tab.

A link to the entire schedule for the Keys 2020 season is available here while fireworks shows are scheduled for Fridays and Saturday night games and other select games during the season. To stay tuned for the latest team news and for ticket information fans can visit frederickkeys.com and follow the team on Twitter (@frederickkeys), Facebook and Instagram (@frederickkeys.com).

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Toys for Tots Drive Kicks Off November 4

 

FREDERICK, MD – For the eighth straight year, the Frederick Keys are partnering with the Toys for Tots Program. Starting on November 4, the Keys will be collecting new and unwrapped toys which will then be handed out to less fortunate children on Christmas Day. This year’s Toys for Tots Drive runs through Wednesday, December 11.

“Everyone deserves to have a great Christmas and that’s we are excited to continue our partnership with Toys for Tots,” said Frederick Keys Director of Marketing Erin Lawson. “Last year’s support from our fans and community members was awesome and we are excited to help out local children again in 2019.”

One of Frederick County’s top donation destinations, Nymeo Field will be open for drop off from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. To drop of a toy(s) fans should visit the main office (adjacent to the main stadium gates). Anyone who makes a contribution will receive a Keys hat and a pair of tickets to a game in 2020. Prize packs are awarded one per person.

Fans will also be able to bring toys to the Keys Holiday Event on Saturday, December 7 which runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. This event will include a CooKEY contest, a chance to meet Keyote Claus and much more. Further details about this event will be announced at a later date.

In 2018, 25,405 toys were distributed to children across Frederick County, supporting over 3,600 children. Toys for Tots began in 1947, while there are more than 150 Marine reserve sites as well as more than 800 local Toys for Tots programs across the country.

A link to the entire schedule for the Keys 2020 season is available here. Fireworks dates and a full Keys promotional schedule for 2020 will be announced at a later date. To stay tuned for the latest team news and for ticket information fans can visit frederickkeys.com and follow the team on Twitter (@frederickkeys), Facebook and Instagram (@frederickkeys.com).

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Keys Win Matt Minker Community Service Award

FREDERICK, MD -The Frederick Keys are excited to announce that they have been named the winner of the Carolina League’s Matt Minker Community Service Award. This award is given out to the team that best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within its community.

It marks the first time that the Keys have received this award as an organization after the Minker Award became a team honor in 2014. When it was an individual award, Jacob Julius brought home the honor in 2013.

“We are thrilled to be recognized with the Minker award,” said Keys Director of Marketing Erin Lawson. “Building long-lasting community partnerships is a hallmark of Frederick Keys baseball. We look forward to expanding our footprint throughout Frederick County and beyond in the years to come through community programs, donations, appearances and other initiatives.

The Keys were recognized for their efforts in 2019 thanks in large part to charitable giving, donations and strong community programs. Over the last year, the Keys have donated more than $10,000 through the team’s charitable foundation-Frederick Keys Care. Beneficiaries included the YMCA, Heartly House, Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP), Advocates for Homeless Families, Blessings in a Backpack and Sophie and Madigan’s Playground. Over the last three years, close to $50,000 has been raised for Keys Care through the team’s Charity Golf Classic, Mystery Ball, 50/50 raffles and more.

In 2019, the Keys made donations to over 500 different organizations. These included game tickets, suites, marketing booths, jerseys, hats and autographed memorabilia. Combined, these donations were valued at just over $47,000. The Keys also hosted a Toys for Tots Drive and worked with Orioles Advocates on the Cardboard 2 Leather Program as well as the United Way’s Stuff the Bus program. To go with this, non-profit groups raised $14,500 through the Keys Pack the Park program and over $30,000 through the Charity Concession Program.

Strong community programs remained a staple of Keys baseball in 2019, with the Keys distributing 58,000 summer reading bookmarks to libraries in seven counties. Students who completed their library’s summer reading program could then come to a Keys game. Young fans were honored for their scholastic achievements through the team’s Report Card Program and were challenged to be active for 60 minutes a day leading up to Family Fitness Weekend.

The Keys worked hand-in-hand with non-profit groups during the United Way’s annual Day of Action, Make a Difference Thursday and hosted several charity softball games to raise money for the Police Activities League and for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Specific games also raised awareness for the American Cancer Society, Heartly House and the Frederick Arts Council. These games also involved the team wearing a special hat or jersey which raised money for each organization.

Keys players were active in the community this year, attending over 80 events in the Frederick community and surrounding areas along with Keys mascot Keyote. Keys players participated in a pre-game softball game with Challenger Little League, made sign language videos with students from the Maryland School of the Deaf and served as camp counselors for the team’s baseball camp. Individually, Cameron Bishop was named the winner of the Orioles prestigious Elrod Hendricks Minor League Community Service Award.

A link to the entire schedule for the Keys 2020 season is available here. Fireworks dates and a full Keys promotional schedule for 2020 will be announced at a later date. To stay tuned for the latest team news and for ticket information fans can visit frederickkeys.com and follow the team on Twitter (@frederickkeys), Facebook and Instagram (@frederickkeys.com).

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Home Run for Life: The Story of Lainey Loftus

  While baseball may be our focus here at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium, the IronBirds take pride in being a part of the Aberdeen community and strive to make an impact that goes beyond the sport itself. On August 18th, the IronBirds recognized fourth-grader Lainey Loftus, whose brave story has inspired us all.

Last November, Lainey began having vision issues, which led her parents to bring her to an Ophthalmologist. It was there that they discovered something was pressing on her optic nerves and causing her loss of vision. After a CAT scan revealed a brain tumor on her optic nerves and Pituitary gland, her family was sent to Oncology at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. The doctor at Johns Hopkins decided the best course of action for Lainey was chemotherapy and radiation. Over the next few months, Lainey had four rounds of chemo and 24 proton radiation treatments. After many long months of fighting, an MRI in May showed that the tumor was gone, and her treatments were over. With her tumor gone, Lainey is gaining strength every day and begins fourth grade in a month.

Lainey enjoys playing softball and is excited to get back onto the field soon now that she is healthy again. She has always been a big Orioles fan and even got the chance to go to a game recently. At last Sunday’s game, Lainey threw out the first pitch before the game. The IronBirds are proud to honor Lainey for her bravery in fighting this terrible disease, and so happy for her and her family now that she is growing stronger every day. No family should have to go through what the Loftus family has gone through in the past year. The IronBirds wish Lainey and her family the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.