Orioles announce 2024 Opening Day celebrations
The Orioles today announced plans to welcome fans back to Oriole Park for the 2024 season during Major League Baseball’s Opening Day on Thursday, March 28, at 3:05 p.m. ET against the Los Angeles Angels.
Festivities will begin by 2:30 p.m. with a special pre-game ceremony emceed by Orioles broadcaster KEVIN BROWN. Opening Day celebrations will feature:
National Anthem: The MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY CHOIR will perform the national anthem from the sod farm prior to the game. A soloist from the choir will also perform "God Bless America" from on top of the Orioles dugout during the seventh inning.
Moment of Silence: The Orioles will hold a special moment of silence following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, honoring the victims and their families and sharing an appreciation for our city’s brave first responders who immediately stepped into action.
Flag Drop: A 30’ x 42’ flag from Fort McHenry will be lowered from the batter’s eye during the national anthem performance. The flag is a replica of the one that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner. Individuals supported by The Arc Baltimore will help unfurl the American flag. The Arc Baltimore supports people with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives with a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful relationships.
Honor Guard: Colors will be presented by members of THE BALTIMORE CITY POLICE HONOR GUARD and BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD.
Flag Kids: Children from the YMCA of Central Maryland will line the orange carpet, holding Orioles flags during the pregame ceremony.
Ceremonial First Pitch: As an ode to DAVID RUBENSTEIN, whose father was a postal worker, the Orioles will welcome AUBREE SINGLETARY, the child of a Baltimore City postal worker, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. National Baseball Hall of Famer and member of the new ownership group, CAL RIPKEN, JR., will catch the pitch. Singletary is a fourth-grade student at Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School, where the Orioles will provide community support all year long.
Mo Gaba’s Fan of the Year: The Orioles will recognize 9-year-old CARTER as the Mo Gaba Fan of the Year. A third-grade student at Timonium Elementary School, Carter was one of the first Orioles fans whom DAVID RUBENSTEIN met while Carter and his mother, Laurie, were shopping at the Orioles Team Store on Monday, March 4. That serendipitous meeting occurred when Carter and his mother took a spontaneous trip to the Team Store, with the opportunity for Carter to pick out any Orioles jersey of his choosing. Now Carter, who plays travel baseball for the Carroll Manor Cardinals, will line up alongside some of his favorite Orioles, including Gunnar Henderson, Cedric Mullins, and Adley Rutschman.
Ceremonial “Play Ball”: Representatives of the new ownership group, including DAVID RUBENSTEIN, MICHAEL AROUGHETI, MITCHELL GOLDSTEIN, and MICHAEL SMITH, will yell the ceremonial “Play Ball” prior to the game, ushering in a new chapter of Orioles baseball.
Birdland Community Hero, presented by BGE: Again this year, the Orioles will honor and recognize those in our community who have distinguished themselves by selflessly volunteering in fields that care for, serve, teach, protect, and improve the lives of others through the Birdland Community Heroes program, presented by BGE. On Thursday, the Orioles will recognize SARA ARTES, volunteer Executive Director of Corner Team, Inc., an organization that she co-founded in 2017 to establish a safe space for her community’s sports, education, and leadership development. As Executive Director, she oversees a small group of part-time staff and a robust volunteer team. The organization impacts over 300 youth and families annually through boxing and fitness classes, enrichment programs, community service, and academic and mentorship initiatives. As part of her recognition the Orioles Charitable Foundation will make a $5,000 donation to Corner Team, Inc.
Budweiser Clydesdales: The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will parade from Lot C to Camden Street from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Giveaway: All fans in attendance will receive an Orioles rally towel.
Opening Day Auction: Fans will have the opportunity to bid on game-used memorabilia from Opening Day to benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation and special causes such as maternal health equity, military programs, Birdland Community Heroes, youth baseball and softball, and adopt-a-school. The auction will run on Orioles.com/Auction from Thursday, March 28, at 12 p.m. through Sunday, April 7, at 10 p.m.
For information and reminders on accommodations at Oriole Park, visit Orioles.com/AtoZ.
The gates to Oriole Park at Camden Yards will open three hours before first pitch, at 12:00 p.m. Parking lots will open at 11:00 a.m. Fans attending Opening Day are encouraged to be in their seats, and fans at home are encouraged to tune to MASN, by 2:20 p.m. to enjoy the Opening Day pregame festivities.