Addressing the uncertainties of tonight's game

The Orioles are supposed to play the White Sox tonight, just as they were scheduled to do last night before the postponement caused by rioting in the city. Another adjustment must be made. It's just a question of how it's done.

I'm no longer comfortable using the term "protesters" because it's insulting to the people who tried to have a peaceful demonstration. You can come up with your own descriptions for the individuals who chose the path of violence and destruction, who burned the city and looted businesses. I'm biting my tongue until it bleeds.

I was scared last night for my friends, and breaking down pitcher-hitter matchups seems so trivial.

The citywide 10 p.m.- 5 a.m. curfew announced last night by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake obviously has a direct impact on the Orioles, who have night games scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The starting times could be moved up or the games could be shifted to another location such as Nationals Park in D.C.

I'm closer to Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, but it's not about me.

I'm told that the Orioles' first preference is to play a day game at Camden Yards. The decision obviously must come quickly.

Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed yesterday that changing venues was an option. Meanwhile, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn told Chicago reporters that the team was "flexible."

"The most important thing is the safety of the fans and players, so we're going to do whatever it takes to come up with the best and safest solution," Hahn said. "There certainly are far greater priorities than playing one baseball game."

It appeared that the Orioles and White Sox would play yesterday as both sides took batting practice and fans began to trickle into the ballpark. But only two gates remained open later, the police presence increased and it became obvious that a postponement was unavoidable. It just wasn't safe.

Players drove out of their parking lot shortly before the Orioles announced the postponement, and a team official suggested that media members pack up their belongings and head home as quickly as possible. The ballpark was eerily quiet except for the sound of sirens and helicopters hovering overhead.

I was reminded of another non-weather related postponement on July 19, 2001 between games of an Orioles-Rangers doubleheader. The ballpark was evacuated after a train carrying hydrochloric acid derailed in a tunnel, sending thick black smoke above Camden Yards.

I wasn't in quite the same rush to head home yesterday, but I had no plans to linger.

A Washington-based reporter left the ballpark after Game 1 to have lunch with his parents at the Inner Harbor. He overheard a waitress mention the derailment and postponement, rushed back to grab his laptop and other belongings in the press box, and discovered that he wasn't allowed to re-enter the ballpark.

There also was the Aug. 14, 1997 postponement caused by an electrical outage within a bank of lights at Camden Yards. Some fans still believe that the Orioles, who were scheduled to play the Mariners, orchestrated it to preserve Cal Ripken Jr.'s consecutive-games streak, insisting that the future Hall of Famer was in jail after beating up actor Kevin Costner.

Meanwhile, I'll pull a line out of The Sun story written by Joe Strauss, my former partner on the beat:

"At about 9:20 p.m., Orioles starter Scott Kamieniecki began walking toward the bullpen as Cal Ripken emerged to soft toss along the first-base line."

Never let the facts get in the way of a good conspiracy theory.

While worrying last night about my friends who live downtown, I'm also saddened to think how the newest Orioles may perceive the city. The thought crossed my mind yesterday while standing next to Ryan Lavarnway's locker and looking across at Travis Snider, Jason Garcia and Rey Navarro.

I look forward to getting back to baseball, to posting lineups and transcribing interviews and exaggerating the importance of every hitting streak and slump. Maybe it starts today. We'll see.