Orioles announce plans for home opener on July 29

The Orioles today announced plans for the club's home opener on Wednesday, July 29, at 7:35 p.m. ET against the New York Yankees, which will air on MASN and across the 44-station Orioles Radio Network, including flagship 105.7 The Fan. MASN's telecast will begin with a 30-minute O's Xtra pregame show hosted by Brett Hollander and Mike Bordick live at Oriole Park. All of the Opening Day action will be called by Scott Garceau and Ben McDonald on MASN, while Geoff Arnold and Dave Johnson handle the call for the Orioles Radio Network.

PREGAME CEREMONIES

RECOGNIZING THE FRONTLINE HEROES

The Orioles' opening ceremonies will be centered around those who are working on the frontlines to take on the COVID-19 crisis, as well as activists who are fighting the battle against racial injustice.

THE F16HTERS

Prior to Wednesday's game, the Orioles will recognize "The F16HTers" as the next group of Birdland Community Hero Award winners. Inspired by Trey Mancini's #F16HT against colorectal cancer, the Orioles are honoring individuals who are overcoming insurmountable odds every day. These heroes are fighting their own battles with terminal illness, social injustice, and other personal obstacles.

The Orioles will be making a $5,000 donation to Thread in conjunction with this recognition. Thread harnesses the power of relationships to create a new social fabric of diverse individuals deeply engaged with young people facing the most significant opportunity and achievement gaps. Additionally, the Orioles will be auctioning the bases and other game-used items from the home opener online at Orioles.com/Auctions, with all proceeds benefiting Thread.

THE "10th MAN"

For the 27th consecutive season, one fan will be chosen to represent all Orioles fans cheering from home as the team's "10th man." The fan will be introduced as a part of the Orioles starting lineup during the pregame ceremonies.

MOMENT OF SILENCE / IN REMEMBRANCE

The Orioles will pause to observe a reflective moment of silence in honor of those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and the victims of racial injustice, as well as the members of the Orioles family who have passed away over the past year.

CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH

Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Wednesday night's home opener will be Johns Hopkins nurse Mahala Thomas. Thomas works in one of the hospital's COVID-19 units and has been with Johns Hopkins Hospital since 2016. The first pitch will be pre-recorded and played in the ballpark and on the broadcasts. Thomas will be joined by four additional representatives from other local major medical centers.

NATIONAL ANTHEM AND GOD BLESS AMERICA

Siblings and Baltimore School for the Arts students Ebban and Ephraim Dorsey will perform a jazz instrumental version of the "The Star-Spangled Banner." The performance will be recorded outside the Baltimore School for the Arts, and the video will be played in the ballpark and on the broadcasts.

Performing "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch will be Rolando Sanz. With his performance, the Orioles will continue their tradition of featuring a performer in support of the opera during the team's home opener. Sanz will perform on the Fort McHenry grounds, and the pre-recorded video will be played in the ballpark and on the broadcasts.

O's AT HOME

The Orioles are launching "O's at Home," an initiative designed to bring the atmosphere and ballpark experience of a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards to fans at home all season long. As fans watch or listen to Orioles games this season, they will see and hear familiar elements of the ballpark on MASN, 105.7 The Fan, Orioles.com, and the MLB Ballpark App. This will feature ceremonial first pitches, anthems, and in-game entertainment, as well as new content, including Birdland IQ Trivia, a Virtual Community Booth, and more. For select games, fans at home will be able to enjoy regular fan-favorites, such as the Hot Dog Race and the Crab Shuffle, while watching games on MASN.

Additionally, Birdland Members will continue to receive exclusive opportunities through the Birdland Rewards portal, and opportunities for children will be regularly added to the Digital Kids Corner.

Fans are encouraged to download the MLB Ballpark App and visit Orioles.com/OsAtHome to follow along with all of the new O's At Home content.