Orioles encourage local area children to "Play Ball" as several youth clinics highlight seven-game homestand;

Baltimore City Youth Clinic, Baltimore RBI Program, and PLAY Campaign will encourage interest in baseball and healthy lifestyles

The Orioles will open their seven-game homestand on Friday, June 26, at 7:05 p.m. against the Cleveland Indians. Following Major League Baseball's announcement of a new league-wide "Play Ball" campaign designed to encourage widespread participation of all forms of baseball among youth, Orioles players and coaches will participate in two youth clinics - one focusing on the fundamentals of baseball and softball, and the other emphasizing the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Additionally, the Baltimore RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Program, which is part of Major League Baseball's RBI initiative, is now underway for the 27^th season with more than 500 youth expected to participate through mid-July.

On Saturday, June 27, the Orioles will partner with the Coppin State University women's softball team to conduct their annual Baltimore City Youth Baseball and Softball Clinic at Carroll Park (2100 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, shortstop J.J. Hardy and his wife Adrienne Hardy, former Orioles Larry Bigbie, Ken Dixon, Rick Krivda and Larry Sheets, and Orioles coaches Wayne Kirby, Rude Arias and Jett Ruiz will serve as instructors to teach baseball and softball fundamentals to 300 Baltimore City youth, most of whom are involved in the Orioles RBI program. Morgan State University softball coaches will also be on hand to assist with the clinic. In addition to receiving baseball and softball training, each child will enjoy refreshments provided by ESSKAY. The Orioles will also donate 600 tickets to clinic participants for a future Orioles game.

In addition, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, Head Athletic Trainer Richie Bancells, and Assistant Athletic Trainer Brian Ebel will welcome 80 youth from Baltimore Rec and Parks "Play Baseball" youth program to Oriole Park on Tuesday, June 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PLAY, which stands for Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth, is a public awareness campaign of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS), in conjunction with the Taylor Hooton Foundation. The PLAY Campaign was established to help prevent childhood obesity and promote healthy living and decision-making among young people throughout the country. Machado will speak to the youth about making smart life choices, avoiding drugs, and the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle. The Orioles will also provide PLAY clinic participants with tickets to attend the 7:05 p.m. game against the Texas Rangers that night.

Established in 1989, Baltimore RBI has long encouraged Baltimore youth to play baseball and softball throughout the summer. This season, United Concordia has partnered with the Baltimore RBI and has donated $10,000 toward the program, which will benefit both baseball and softball teams. There are seven softball teams, five 12U baseball teams, 10 baseball teams ages 13-15, and 12 baseball teams ages 16-18.

The Orioles support Baltimore RBI participants in a variety of ways including an on-field recognition of the championship teams in each age division toward the end of the season and complimentary tickets to RBI coaches and players for the selected game. Last weekend, Oriole Park also hosted 30 RBI coaches for a coaching clinic put on by the Positive Coaching Alliance. PCA, a Stanford University-based non-profit organization, works with coaches, organizational leaders, and parents to teach young athletes about teamwork, discipline, respect, and setting proper goals through their athletic experiences. Coaches were treated to lunch provided by DNC during the workshop.

Near the end of the season, the Orioles will send All-Star teams to Prince George's County to represent Baltimore in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament. The club will provide transportation, uniforms, and hotel accommodations. The softball team and baseball team ages 16-18 will also have the opportunity to work together as a team at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy in Hinsdale, MA, courtesy of the Orioles.