FREE event will introduce fans to the minor league baseball experience and features Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson
Minor league baseball is coming to Southern Maryland - and it all begins with a FREE FANFEST event on Saturday, February 18 at North Point High School, located just off MD Route 228 in Waldorf, five miles west of US Route 301.
The event, which runs from 10am-3pm, features a special appearance and autograph session with Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson and other former Major Leaguers. Fans will also have an opportunity to enter a “Name Your Team Contest,” in which the nickname will be chosen for Southern Maryland’s new minor league baseball team. FANFEST will also mark the first opportunity for fans to secure a priority number for season tickets to the inaugural season.
The event will give fans a taste of the complete minor league baseball experience that can be expected when Southern Maryland’s new team begins play at a multi-million dollar stadium in the spring of 2007. The multi-purpose entertainment complex will be located on Piney Church Road, off of Billingsley Road, between Routes 5 and 301, just south of Waldorf.
“We can’t wait to introduce ourselves to baseball fans in Southern Maryland,” said Peter Kirk, the principle owner of Maryland Baseball. “FANFEST will give guests a true sense of what they can expect to see, hear and smell at this great, new ballpark. This is a unique family event and will be the start of something special as baseball comes to Southern Maryland.”
Hilarious ballpark performers and mascots such as the Zooperstars, Reggy and Krazy George will be on hand, and fans of all ages can also enjoy clowns, balloon artists, face painters, caricaturists, live music and of course – great ballpark food! There will also be inflatables and other games, including the Orioles Indoor Wiffleball Field, which will host baseball clinics with former Major Leaguers.
Along with Brooks Robinson, other baseball celebrities scheduled to appear include Dave Johnson, Tippy Martinez, Larry Sheets, Joe Ferguson, Leo Gomez and Paul Blair. The players will participate in free autograph sessions and fan forums throughout the five-hour event. There will be a fan forum with project leaders who are working on the new ballpark and multi-purpose stadium.
Beginning at 10am, fans can secure a priority number for season tickets to the inaugural season by making a $25 per seat deposit. Priority numbers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
"The Charles County Commissioners are pleased to be working in partnership with Maryland Baseball LLC, the Governor and the Maryland General Assembly to bring this new quality of life asset to the people of our county and all of Southern Maryland. We are looking forward to breaking ground in the near future,” said Wayne Cooper, president of the Board of Charles County Commissioners. “FANFEST will be a great opportunity to get a preview of the type of family-oriented entertainment that is coming our way. We encourage our citizens to bring their children and have fun at this great event.”
Simple directions to North Point High School and complete information on FANFEST can be found by visiting http://www.SOMDprobaseball.com.
Southern Maryland Professional Baseball FANFEST is presented by the Charles County Economic Development Department, in conjunction with the Maryland Stadium Authority and Maryland Baseball, LLC.