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...

Pie and Jones report

Pie and Jones report
Felix Pie and Adam Jones have reported to camp, joining the pitchers and catchers who are required to be here. Pie missed the last nine games after straining his left quadriceps muscle, and the healing process has been painfully slow. He's been in Sarasota for 1 1/2 months and finally is able to run sprints. "My leg is completely better," he said. "It took me like five months to be ready. Every time I'd start to run, it hurt, but it doesn't hurt anymore. "I'm ready to do my...

Simon says...

Simon says...
After undergoing Tommy John surgery during the first week of May, right-hander Alfredo Simon has thrown off a mound twice and doesn't expect to be under any restrictions. Simon believes that he's ready to compete for a spot on the 12-man pitching staff - that's the number we're figuring until we're told otherwise - but the odds are stacked against him.

The Ohman

The Ohman
Will Ohman snuck up behind Felix Pie this morning and gave him a big hug. He moved around the clubhouse, spotting familiar faces and getting reacquainted. Ohman is excited to be here and he didn't try to hide it. "It's kind of like a homecoming for me in a way," he said. "I know a lot of the guys here and a lot of the coaching staff from my days with the Cubs. I'm excited to work with Kranny again." Ohman chose the Orioles over other teams offering minor league deals because he saw a...

Koji confirmed

Koji confirmed
The first day of workouts went smoothly. No visa issues, no injuries. Brad Bergesen is the only pitcher who's restricted. Alfredo Simon is full-go, as I wrote earlier today, less than a year after having ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Manager Dave Trembley confirmed what we already suspected: Koji Uehara will work in a relief role this season. "I talked to Koji today before we came out so that if you all asked him questions, he could not evade the answers. And I wanted...

Talking Trembley

Talking Trembley
On the first workout at the new complex: "It was fun to be out here today, a lot of fun. Everybody was anxious to get out. We had a very good, productive today." On Alfredo Simon not being under any restrictions: "He was a guy that when I came here at the beginning of the week I asked (head athletic trainer) Richie Bancells about, and he said (Simon) was a full-go. I saw him in instructional league at the end of September last year and I was told that in all likelihood he would be a full-go...

Some leftovers from today

Some leftovers from today
Kevin Millwood spent a large part of the morning talking to Brad Bergesen at his locker. Millwood's locker is situated between Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman. Let the veteran influence begin. Matusz and Tillman played catch after the pre-workout stretch. As if you were expecting anything different. Felix Pie said he's more comfortable around his teammates this spring compared to last year, when he arrived late because of visa issues in the Dominican. "It feels more like home," he...

More early arrivals

More early arrivals
Robert Andino and Scott Moore checked into the team hotel last night and will report to camp today. It's an interesting pairing, since Moore could be competing for Andino's utility job. Moore underwent surgery on his right thumb after being shut down the second week of May. He appeared in 32 games with Triple-A Norfolk, batting .252 with seven homers and 21 RBIs. Moore has impressed the Orioles in spring training. He got off to a sizzling start at Norfolk last year. The only issues have...

A few early notes

A few early notes
You can add Rhyne Hughes to the list of position players who reported early. And I know it's Hughes only because someone pointed him out to me. Can't say that I'd recognize him. Hughes, Adam Jones, Felix Pie, Robert Andino, Justin Turner, Blake Davis and Scott Moore are in camp ahead of schedule. Chorye Spoone has been throwing since mid-December and only stopped because of the blizzards. He's in good health again and said he just needs to work on his timing. It will be interesting to...

Markakis is here

Markakis is here
Nick Markakis has reported to camp - with his son, Taylor, riding on his shoulders. Markakis still has the thick beard. But not much longer. He's wearing a long-sleeve camouflage shirt, cut-off sweatpants, and crocs with black socks. He wasn't approached for a single autograph as he wandered between the practice fields. It's as if no one recognizes him. Koji Uehara just finished his bullpen session. Unlike last spring, none of us charted his pitches. I'll try to grab pitching coach...

Pitchers impress today

Pitchers impress today
Position players who reported early didn't have to take the field for the pre-workout stretch until 11:05 a.m. Adam Jones approached manager Dave Trembley and sought permission to join the pitchers and catchers at 9:15 a.m. He also stayed back after the workout concluded and signed autographs for every fan that requested one. "I think he wants to assume a lot more leadership here by example, and that's great. That's really needed, welcomed," Trembley said. Trembley and pitching coach...

More stuff from today's workout

More stuff from today's workout
Outfielder Jeff Salazar also has reported to camp early. Felix Pie crushed a ball during batting practice that slammed off the indoor batting cage beyond the right field fence. He also was ripping line drives all over the place. Adam Jones provided non-stop chatter during the session, which also included Blake Davis and Justin Turner. Manager Dave Trembley and minor league instructor Mike Bordick stood behind the cage. I must be losing my mind. I forgot that Davis bats from the left side....

Roberts, Jones and Millwood

Roberts, Jones and Millwood
The Orioles still expect Brian Roberts to be a full-go when he reports to camp. They haven't received any reports to the contrary. Manager Dave Trembley was asked whether Adam Jones might have gotten a little ahead of himself at one point last season (I know the guy's fast, but I didn't think he was that fast.) "I think he probably wanted to do a little bit too much too soon. I think he got out of his lane a little bit because he wants to do so well," Trembley replied. "We have to...

More from Moore

More from Moore
Infielder Scott Moore said he began working out with former Orioles center fielder Brady Anderson in August after they met last spring and struck up a friendship. "I just happened to run into him," Moore told me earlier today. "I wore No. 9 the year I made the team out of spring training. Brady was a really good player here and I just talked to him about wearing No. 9 and how I thought that was pretty cool. He asked me where I worked out and invited me down to his house in the off-season,...

Tillman's new pitch

Tillman's new pitch
I just left the Orioles' clubhouse, which is open to the media from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Players will head to the back fields in a few minutes for the pre-workout stretch. Chris Tillman has started to experiment with a cut fastball, though he isn't sure whether he'll carry it into the regular season. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz approached Tillman with the idea, and the right-hander decided to run with it. "It's something Kranny mentioned to me, that I might want to work on it in the...