New PA announcer makes O's history
The Orioles have a new in-stadium voice.
The O’s on Friday announced the hiring of Adrienne Roberson as the fifth public address announcer, and first female voice, in franchise history. Ryan Wagner previously held the role from 2012 to earlier this month, when he was dismissed after the club’s home opener.
Roberson becomes the fourth active female PA announcer in Major League Baseball, joining Renel Brooks-Moon (San Francisco Giants), Marysol Castro (New York Mets), and Amelia Schimmel (Oakland Athletics).
“This is a dream come true, and I am honored to be the next voice of Oriole Park at Camden Yards,” Roberson said in a statement. "To be able to cultivate my passion, bring my voice to our historic ballpark and announce the same players I saw come through our minor league system as they now make their way to Oriole Park at Camden Yards is incredibly exciting. I know the future of Birdland is very bright.”
An Odenton, Md., resident, Roberson spent the past 17 seasons as the public address announcer at Double-A Bowie. During her time with the Baysox, Roberson made several appearances as a guest PA announcer for the Orioles, including each of the past five Mother’s Day weekends. She is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and also spent the past eight years working with Georgetown University’s lacrosse, softball, soccer and volleyball programs.
On-site testing
The Orioles and the Maryland Department of Health announced plans Friday to provide free COVID-19 testing to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Effective immediately, fans can receive a complimentary PCR test at the ballpark’s COVID-19 testing site, located along the lower-level concourse outside Section 26. Fans will also have the opportunity to learn about COVID-19 vaccination appointments at the site.
“We know from public health experts that the best way to keep our community safe and stop the spread of COVID-19 is through increased testing and vaccination participation," said Orioles chairman and CEO John Angelos. “By partnering with the Maryland Department of Health to bring on-site testing and additional vaccination information to Oriole Park, we can continue these efforts to reach societal immunity and end this pandemic once and for all.”
The Oriole Park testing site, created in conjunction with Maryland COVID-19 Testing Task Force, will be open during all home games, from the time gates open until 2.5 hours after first pitch or the top of the 8th inning, whichever comes first. Test results will be reported via text, email or call and will usually be available within 24-48 hours. This program is a complimentary and voluntary opportunity for fans already in attendance. Testing will not be required for entry to the ballpark.
Pitching plans
The Orioles are leaving Saturday’s pitching plans open in part to give John Means extra rest. Means will start their series finale against the A's on Sunday, a full week since his last outing, in which he blanked the Rangers over seven innings in Texas.
As for Saturday, the Orioles are considering a bullpen game or recalling a spot starter from their alternate site in Bowie, Md. Manager Brandon Hyde said that decision will be made after Friday’s game.
Getting back to normal
Hyde also said Friday the Orioles would soon surpass the 85 percent vaccination threshold MLB and the MLBPA have targeted for all clubs.
Clubs were informed just before Opening Day that MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to relax certain health and safety protocols contained in the 2021 Operations Manual for fully vaccinated Tier 1 Individuals and for clubs where 85% of their Tier 1 Individuals are fully vaccinated. This applies to all players and staff who are considered Tier 1, including those at the alternate site. As part of that memo, players and staff were again strongly encouraged to receive one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines when eligible.
“We’re doing well. We’re going to be over that,” Hyde said. “We’re going to hit the threshold. That’s a big deal for us. It feels good as a team and an organization to know the majority of our guys are vaccinated. We can start going back to a little bit of normalcy.”
Hyde and Means both said publicly they’ve been vaccinated in recent weeks.
Holmes filling in for Holt
Orioles pitching coach Chris Holt will be away from the team this weekend tending to a personal matter, according to the team. Assistant pitching coach Darren Holmes will fill in during Holt's absence.