Dedicated to Promoting and Stimulating Interest in Baseball
******* Celebrating 50+ Years of Community Service *******
******* Celebrating 50+ Years of Community Service *******
ORIOLE ADVOCATES CHALLENGER BASEBALL
Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball Clinic
Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball Clinic was held on Saturday, July 11th for children with mental and/or physical challenges at Freedom Field in Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena MD. Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty and catcher Caleb Joseph as well as former Orioles Ken Dixon and Bill Swaggerty provided more than 40 Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball players from Anne Arundel County, Catonsville, Frederick, and Parkville with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of pitching, throwing, and catching. Each child also received a personalized replica Majestic Orioles Jersey, autographs, and Orioles gift items.
Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball (OACB) is a program of the Charitable Foundation of the Oriole Advocates in collaboration with the Orioles. OACB provides assistance to Challenger baseball teams in Maryland, northern Virginia, and southern Pennsylvania. These teams are from Little League, county recreation programs, Miracle League, and local community programs with the mission of providing children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to enjoy the experience of playing baseball.
The Challenger League Ceremony was held on Saturday May 16 when the Orioles hosted the Angels at 7:05 PM. The Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball and the Orioles have donated tickets to more than 900 participants in Challenger League baseball programs from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to attend. At the ceremony, the John Salony Memorial Award was given to a member of the Challenger Baseball Community for his or her efforts in supporting Challenger Baseball. Dr. Salony had a vision to provide recreational activities for children with special needs when few such activities existed, which led him to co-found Challenger Baseball in Maryland over 25 years ago. This year the Challenger League is pleased to have Dr. Salony’s son, John present this award to Sheila Malatesta for her dedication and support to the Cecil County Challenger Little League. Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball Chairman George Bollock and President of the Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation Don Blum will be present for the ceremony.
In addition, the Oriole Advocates will also team up with the Challenger Baseball Program on Thursday, May 14, to hold a baseball-oriented event at the Baer School in Baltimore. The event will offer baseball activities and instruction to over 175 children with special needs. Additionally, there will be carnival-type activities for children to enjoy, gifts, and food, which will be provided by ESSKAY, Utz, and Chick-fil-A. The Oriole Bird and Chick-fil-A Cow will make appearances.
In addition to the “Special Days” other events included:
Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball (OACB) is a program of the Charitable Foundation of the Oriole Advocates in collaboration with the Orioles. OACB provides assistance to Challenger baseball teams in Maryland, northern Virginia, and southern Pennsylvania. These teams are from Little League, county recreation programs, Miracle League, and local community programs with the mission of providing children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to enjoy the experience of playing baseball.
The Challenger League Ceremony was held on Saturday May 16 when the Orioles hosted the Angels at 7:05 PM. The Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball and the Orioles have donated tickets to more than 900 participants in Challenger League baseball programs from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to attend. At the ceremony, the John Salony Memorial Award was given to a member of the Challenger Baseball Community for his or her efforts in supporting Challenger Baseball. Dr. Salony had a vision to provide recreational activities for children with special needs when few such activities existed, which led him to co-found Challenger Baseball in Maryland over 25 years ago. This year the Challenger League is pleased to have Dr. Salony’s son, John present this award to Sheila Malatesta for her dedication and support to the Cecil County Challenger Little League. Oriole Advocates Challenger Baseball Chairman George Bollock and President of the Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation Don Blum will be present for the ceremony.
In addition, the Oriole Advocates will also team up with the Challenger Baseball Program on Thursday, May 14, to hold a baseball-oriented event at the Baer School in Baltimore. The event will offer baseball activities and instruction to over 175 children with special needs. Additionally, there will be carnival-type activities for children to enjoy, gifts, and food, which will be provided by ESSKAY, Utz, and Chick-fil-A. The Oriole Bird and Chick-fil-A Cow will make appearances.
In addition to the “Special Days” other events included:
- 3rd Annual Challenger Baseball Fantasy Camp
The OACB partnered with Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids and the Baltimore Orioles to provide Challenger Baseball players the opportunity to learn baseball skills from current Orioles BUD NORRIS and RYAN FLAHERTY and former Orioles AL BUMBRY and LARRY SHEETS. Thanks to the Baltimore Orioles and the players for their contributions and to the Oriole Bird Mascot who was also in attendance to the delight of the Challenger players.
- Jamboree in Thurmont, MD.
All Challenger teams were invited to participate in a series of games against each other. This event provided 145 players from 16 teams a day where they played numerous games on 4 fields. In addition to providing all of the components of a “Special Day” the Oriole Bird Mascot attended and we provided all players with a special medal indicating their participation.
- Oriole Game at Oriole Park
A night at the park, the Baltimore Orioles provided OACB with over 900 tickets at no cost so that we could invite Challenger players, buddies, coaches and families to experience a major league game at Oriole Park. OACB presented each challenger player a tee shirt and a foam finger. Prior to the game, Challenger players from six different teams, representing the Challenger players in attendance, participated in an on-field ceremony while our program and events were displayed on the large video screen. - Little League Day at Oriole Park
Challenger League Players joined other fellow Little League players in a parade around the warning track prior to the Oriole game at Oriole Park. Over 100 Challenger Players participated in this parade.