Orioles Spring Training In Sarasota: Special Events, Tributes

SARASOTA, FL — The Baltimore Orioles will kick off the team's 2019 Spring Training season Saturday when the O's take on the Minnesota Twins. There will be several things fans can look forward to for spring training.

O's players and managers will be wearing a commemorative "20" patch on their jerseys. This is to honor the legacy of Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who passed away on Feb. 7 at the age of 83.

At Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles will also pay tribute to Robinson with a "20" display above the scoreboard throughout the spring and with a video tribute and moment of silence prior to Saturday's Spring Training home opener against the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 p.m.

Robinson, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1982, played 21 seasons in the Major Leagues, including six with Baltimore. He spent 16 years as a manager, guiding the Orioles from 1988-91, where he earned American League Manager of the Year honors in 1989. To this day, Robinson remains the only person in Orioles history to serve as a player, coach, manager and front office executive. He most recently served as a senior advisor to the commissioner and honorary president of the American League.

In addition, the Orioles will select one fan at random on the day that Ed Smith Stadium welcomes its one millionth fan, expected to happen in the first few days of spring training.

The Orioles' "One Millionth Fan" will receive a $5,000 shopping experience at Diamond Vault in Sarasota, two Spring Training season tickets for five years, and more.

Fans can enjoy fun activities, special events, and giveaways all season long. During every Sunday home game, Applebee's will present "Kids Run The Bases," when fans 4 to 14 years old will be invited to run the bases after the game. On Feb. 26 and March 5, fans ages 60 and over will be invited onto the field for "Seniors Run The Bases."

Special Spring Training Events

On March 14, the Orioles celebrate Heroes Day, featuring a demonstration by the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team, "The Para-Commandos," presented by Cheney Brothers.

On March 17, Go Green Day, the first 3,000 fans (ages 15 and over) will receive a "Go Green" tote bag, courtesy of MLB Network. Orioles players will wear specially designed green caps that will be autographed, authenticated, and auctioned online to benefit conservation education programs at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.

On March 19, the first 3,000 fans (ages 15 and over) will receive an Orioles pashmina scarf. On March 23, dazzling fireworks will light up the night sky after the game as the Sarasota Herald-Tribune presents Fireworks Night.

Youth Baseball Day presented by Sun-N-Fun Resort will be March 24. Pre-registered youth teams will parade around the outfield. The first 4,000 fans (ages 15 and over) will receive a Trey Mancini bobblehead.

Throughout the season, ballpark gates will open two hours prior to the scheduled first pitch. Season plan members will be able to access the ballpark 20 minutes early through a dedicated entrance at the Home Plate Gate for all 17 home games, including Opening Day.

The gates for Saturday's game open at 11:05 a.m. for the general public and at 10:45 a.m. for season plan members. Here is the schedule for Saturday's game:

• 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Orioles Batting Practice
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Twins Batting Practice
• 1:05 p.m. Game time.

Tickets for the Orioles Spring Training home opener are still available and can be purchased at the ticket box office at Ed Smith Stadium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at Orioles.com/Spring, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Patch readers can receive a 10 percent discount by clicking here and entering the code: PATCHTICKETS10. TicketNetwork is a Patch promotional partner.

In the nine years since the Orioles moved Major League Spring Training to Sarasota, more than 985,000 fans have visited Ed Smith Stadium.

An independent analysis commissioned by Sarasota County Government concluded that the Orioles generate approximately $97 million in annual economic impact back to taxpayers and residents. Visit Orioles.com/Sarasota.

TicketNetwork is a Patch promotional partner.

—By Patch editor Tim Darnell