BALTIMORE -- As the temperatures dipped again in Baltimore this week, fans could take comfort Wednesday afternoon with a sight that spring is just around the corner: Orioles Truck Day.
Every year, the symbol of the official start to Spring Training helps shorten the long, cold offseason. And while the O's have a lot of work to do before Opening Day -- namely in the rotation -- the 1,000 mile journey south to Sarasota, Fla., always brings fun vibes along with it.
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The Orioles use over 24,000 baseballs, 900 bats, 750 caps, and 600 uniform tops during Spring Training. Much of that gear, along with additional equipment for the athletic training department and many other items required for the Grapefruit League season, arrives on Von Paris Moving & Storage trucks. That company has been the club's official mover since 1991, taking the O's south to Sarasota ever since the organization moved their spring base there in 2010.
The Oriole Bird was on hand during the equipment loading and truck departure, which was made available to the media just before noon, as the final load of equipment and shiny new jerseys, complete with Spring Training patches, made its way aboard.
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Orioles pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 13, and their first workout is the following day. The full-squad report date is Feb. 18, and the O's Grapefruit League opener is a split-squad matchup on Feb. 23 at Ed Smith Stadium against the Rays.