The Orioles unveiled a new "Kids Cheer Free" initiative on Monday that will allow parents to bring fans age 9 and younger to Camden Yards for free this season. The tickets, which will be made available on a month-by-month basis, permit every adult who purchases a regularly priced individual game ticket in the upper deck to bring up to two children (age 9 and younger) to the ballpark compliments of the Orioles.
The "Kids Cheer Free" tickets for games from March 31 through April 29 can be reserved now online at orioles.com/kidsfree and are subject to availability. The program is one of the headliners in a comprehensive expansion of the Orioles' kids programs as well as family amenities for 2018.
"The Orioles' mission, and that of the national game of baseball, is to cast a broad community outreach, and that effort starts with thoughtfully expanding our initiatives benefiting kids and families," Orioles executive vice president John Angelos said in a press release.
"In the United States today, baseball now attracts more than 110 million Americans each year to Major and Minor League Baseball games, before accounting for the many millions of Americans who cheer for their college, scholastic and youth baseball programs. The Orioles are committed to sustaining the access for families from all walks of life to our great game, and that commitment is reflected in the Kids Cheer Free initiative and our many other family-focused programs."
That includes an expanded and updated Kids' Corner located adjacent to Gate C, beginning in March. The new Kids' Corner will offer entertainment for younger fans, including The Bird House, a new interactive tree house activity center and jungle gym for children. Previous activities such as the moon bounce, skee-ball and larger-than-life Oriole bird bobbleheads will remain.
The Orioles will also offer small, medium and large food and beverage options at new price points this season as well as offer an expanded fireworks schedule every Friday from May through August. Friday games will feature on-field postgame performances by select music artists leading into the fireworks show.
The Kids Runs the Bases program also returns this season following every Sunday home game as well as Kids Opening Day, which takes place this year on April 1.
The club's popular Junior Orioles Dugout Club also returns in 2018. The club features exclusive benefits including a free ticket to six selected Orioles games, member-only giveaways at each game, an Orioles Kids magazine subscription and a few other perks.