A first look at the O's plans for Sarasota

A first look at the O's plans for Sarasota
Orioles fans don't have long to wait before the O's report to their first spring training in Sarasota, but you can steal a look at the renovations in the works for 2011 even sooner than that. The Major League facilities at Ed Smith Stadium and the Minor League complex at Twin Lakes Park, now dubbed the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex, will both undergo renovations to make Sarasota the true spring home of the O's by next year. But a handful of artist renderings of the plans for the team's...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
It's February 1st already, which means the Orioles officially report to spring training this month. That said, O's fans probably don't need extra help getting excited for Orioles baseball, but a mental walk around the Yard never hurts - so we're back for another 'Where in the Yard?' photo challenge in the Orioles Buzz. And no, this week's image isn't a gimme - the giveaways don't start until Opening Day, and even then, you'll have to head to the ballpark gates if you're looking for...

Sherry named to top 'Singles in Smalltimore'

Sherry named to top 'Singles in Smalltimore'
You probably know that Nicole Sherry is only the second woman to hold the position of Head Groundskeeper for a Major League Baseball team. But did you know that she's also listed in Baltimore Magazine's top singles in "Smalltimore"? Pictured in a short black dress and matching high heels - a far cry from the khakis, orange polos, and sneakers we're used to seeing her sport at Camden Yards - Sherry made a list of 12 notable singles in Baltimore. The magazine's feature points to "the...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Did you survive the snow? I hope so - and if you didn't get any snow over the last few days, there are crowds of us who are jealous of you right now. How many days until the O's report to Sarasota? Then we can at least "think warm" and remember what sunlight looks like... But in the meantime, buckets of snow can't stop your walks down memory lane as you look to identify the item in the photo below for another 'Where in the Yard?' here in the Orioles Buzz. Good Luck and stay warm...

Become Sarasota's Voice of the Orioles

Become Sarasota's Voice of the Orioles
The Orioles have announced that they'll hold open tryouts on Saturday, February 20 for the position of public address announcer for the O's in Sarasota. So if you live in the vicinity of Ed Smith Stadium and think yours could be the new Voice of the O's for their first spring training in Sarasota, bring your resume and arrive at the team's new spring home by 12:30 p.m. for registration. (Complimentary parking is available in the East Parking Lot at Ed Smith Stadium.) Tryouts will begin...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Welcome to a big week in Birdland, as the O's officially report to spring training this week (as if I needed to tell you!). From here, the 2010 season will begin and continue to take shape, and we'll see what the Birds' flock of young O's are capable of soon enough. But for now, welcome back to the Orioles Buzz, where we have another photo from Camden Yards ready for you to identify for this week's 'Where in the Yard?' Just in case you're joining us for the first time, simply take a...

Watch the O's on MASN during spring training

Watch the O's on MASN during spring training
The first Orioles spring training game kicks off on Wednesday, March 3 at 1:05 p.m. against the Rays, with many more to follow. But if you aren't lucky enough to be heading to Ed Smith Stadium to see the Birds in person, you'll be able to catch your first glimpse of the O's on MASN on Sunday, March 7 at 1:05 p.m. That Sunday's game will be the first of four opportunities Orioles fans will have to see the Birds play before they break the 2010 season wide open against the Rays on Opening...

Feeding the Birds

Feeding the Birds
If you're headed to Sarasota to see the O's in their new spring training home, Roch's already sending back good reviews. The facilities are clearly an improvement from the past, and the general opinion is a high one of Sarasota. And while the area has hardly been extensively scouted, here are a few recommendations from Roch and fellow O's fans who've been there: Gus 12th Street Café: According to Roch's quick note at the bottom of his General info on Patton post,...

OriolesREACH-ing into Sarasota community

OriolesREACH-ing into Sarasota community
There's still some time before the promos and giveaways will start at Camden Yards, but the Orioles and OriolesREACH have planned several appearances and activities in Sarasota while the O's are south for spring training. Orioles players and the Bird will make visits to charitable organizations in the Sarasota area, in addition to hosting a clinic and a game at Ed Smith Stadium throughout the weeks encompassing spring training. To kick things off, an Orioles player and the Oriole Bird will...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Welcome back to another 'Where in the Yard?' O's fans. As baseball continues to come back into focus with 2010 spring training underway, we'll take a look at another image from the Yard here in the Orioles Buzz. Only a few weeks now until the Birds are back in Baltimore, but for now, you know the drill: Tell me what this image is and where Dave's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Update: Glassman, Allan, Carlness, @rickybarbie, @bblande, and @FlavaDave21 already have...

Free Birthdays are back in Birdland

Free Birthdays are back in Birdland
The Orioles announced today that they'll bring back the popular "Come free for your Birthday" promotion from last season. After more than 45,000 fans participated in the promo during the 2009 season, fans are invited to once again celebrate their birthdays at Oriole Park by attending a game for free during the month of their birthday. All fans who register their birthday here will receive a voucher good for one free ticket to any non-prime game during their birthday month. But don't...

A Bird's eye view at game time

A Bird's eye view at game time
The Orioles announced this morning that they'll hold interviews for ballboys and ballgirls for the 2010 season on Saturday, March 6 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. They're on the lookout for "outgoing and athletic men and women ages 18 and older" and candidates should be "personable, customer-service oriented and available to work the entire 2010 season." Those interested in serving as ballboys and ballgirls for the O's this season should head to Camden Yards for the interviews...

All the ways to catch the O's if you're not in Sarasota

All the ways to catch the O's if you're not in Sarasota
Many of you have already beamed about your plans to head south for Orioles spring training in Sarasota. You've got the front row seats - enjoy 'em! But fans who can't make it to the Sunshine State won't be left out in the cold (except literally, that is), as there are now a handful of ways that you can catch sight of the O's before they fly north for the regular season. Four Games on MASN: Sunday, March 7 at 1:00 p.m. vs. Red Sox in Sarasota Thursday, March 25 at 1:00 p.m. vs. Yankees...

In the Sarasota community and the first T-Shirt Tuesday

In the Sarasota community and the first T-Shirt Tuesday
A week or so ago, more details were promised on community events to take place at Ed Smith Stadium at the bottom of this entry in the Orioles Buzz. And, as promised, here they are... On Friday, February 26, O's pitcher Chris Tillman will appear at the Opening Day festivities for the Cal Ripken Baseball League in Sarasota. Tillman will be accompanied by the Oriole Bird, and the pair will greet Ripken League players and fans at 6:00 p.m. until Tillman throws out the first pitch at 6:45 to...

Join O's on Opening Day at "First Pitch Party" in Baltimore

Join O's on Opening Day at "First Pitch Party" in Baltimore
With Opening Day of the Orioles' 2010 season only days away, a few lucky O's fans are looking forward to getting their first glimpse of the Birds in person at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. But most Orioles fans will be here in Baltimore, or watching the game on MASN from their homes. You might have friends, family or neighbors who are big Orioles fans; you might even watch the 2010 opener with them, but it won't be quite the same as experiencing the excitement with all of Charm City...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Welcome back O's fans. As spring training continues, so does your favorite segment in the O's Buzz. This week's 'Where in the Yard?' is hiding in plain sight all over the ballpark, but let's see if you can identify it without its surroundings. You know how to play - Take a look at the photo below and tell us what we're looking at and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Update: Steve, Chris in Baltimore, Glassman, John W., and Tim Morris have it already....

Bobbleheads past and present

Bobbleheads past and present
The Orioles 2010 Promotions Schedule lists four different bobblehead nights during the upcoming season: Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones, and Nick Markakis mini bobbleheads, with a Matt Wieters standard bobblehead thrown in the mix mid-season. Unlike the wide open debate for five of the six T-Shirt Tuesdays on the promotions schedule (a Matt Wieters T-shirt will kick things off, but we'll get to the remaining five at a later date here in the Orioles Buzz), these four bobblehead nights have...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Today is one of those beautiful winter days at Camden Yards. The sun is shining; the snow has melted; the grass on the field has been mowed; and the sprinklers are doing the early work of bringing the Yard back to life. There were even a few people milling around Eutaw Street today on my way in, and Opening Day finally feels as near as it looks on the calendar. So with your best memory of Camden Yards in the back of your mind, check out this week's 'Where in the Yard?' and tell us what's...

Flanny in the booth

Flanny in the booth
MASN announced today that former Oriole Mike Flanagan will fill Buck Martinez's place as color analyst in the broadcast booth for the 2010 season. Fans will hear Flanagan from the booth for the first time this season on April 15, as the O's take on the Athletics in Oakland at 10:05 p.m. Flanagan will split games with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, who will continue to provide color commentary for half of this season's O's games on MASN. The 59-year-old former Orioles player, coach, front...

Wieters joins list of Orioles greats on the cover of SI

Wieters joins list of Orioles greats on the cover of SI
If you haven't seen Matt Wieters on the cover of the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated, make sure you don't miss it. Tom Verducci's feature makes Wieters the first Oriole to grace an SI cover since the IronMan himself, Cal Ripken Jr., who was certainly no stranger to the pages of Sports Illustrated. Cal's image made the cover nine times over the years, including four times in 1995 alone! (May, August, September and December) Billy Ripken and Cal Ripken Sr. also had covers all to...