masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgO’s to play 16 games at newly renovated Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

The Orioles will play their first of 16 home spring training games in 2011 at the newly renovated Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Tuesday, March 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays. 2011 marks the second consecutive spring training for the Orioles in Sarasota, and the first in the newly renovated ballpark.

Ed Smith Stadium is undergoing extensive improvements which will dramatically transform the ballpark aesthetic and radically…O’s to play 16 games at newly renovated Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

The Orioles will play their first of 16 home spring training games in 2011 at the newly renovated Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Tuesday, March 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays. 2011 marks the second consecutive spring training for the Orioles in Sarasota, and the first in the newly renovated ballpark.

Ed Smith Stadium is undergoing extensive improvements which will dramatically transform the ballpark aesthetic and radically expand areas and amenities for fans. Enhancements to the fan experience include the addition of a two-story concourse with shaded views of the playing field; a new stucco façade with tile accents; refurbished stadium seats directly from Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore; additional private suites and party facilities; and a state-of-the-art audio/video system and video board. Improvements to the player facilities include new dugouts and bullpens; a new half field with AstroTurf; refurbished batting cages; and a practice field with the same dimensions as Oriole Park at Camden Yards. All of these upgrades will be finalized in time for next year’s spring training games.

Baltimore will face nine different opponents at home during the 2011 spring campaign and will host the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers two times each at Ed Smith Stadium. The Minnesota Twins will make three trips to Sarasota and the Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays will each make one visit.

The Orioles will play 15 games on the road during the 2011 spring schedule. They will make three trips to play the Twins and Pirates, two trips to face the Tigers and Phillies and one trip to face the Astros, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Blue Jays.

The Orioles will play their final 2011 spring training game in Sarasota on Tuesday, March 29 against the Toronto Blue Jays, prior to their regular season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, April 1 in St. Petersburg.

Baltimore Orioles 2011 Spring Training Schedule:

Monday, February 28: Pittsburgh Pirates (ss) – Bradenton – 1:05

Tuesday, March 1: Tampa Bay Rays – Sarasota – 1:05

Wednesday, March 2: Philadelphia Phillies – Clearwater – 1:05

Thursday, March 3: Minnesota Twins – Sarasota – 1:05

Friday, March 4: Detroit Tigers – Lakeland – 1:05

Saturday, March 5: Boston Red Sox (ss) – Sarasota – 1:05

Sunday, March 6: Minnesota Twins – Lee County – 1:05

Monday, March 7: New York Yankees (ss) – Sarasota – 7:05

Boston Red Sox (ss) – Fort Myers – 1:05

Tuesday, March 8: Philadelphia Phillies – Clearwater – 1:05

Wednesday, March 9: Minnesota Twins – Sarasota – 1:05

Thursday, March 10: Pittsburgh Pirates – Bradenton – 7:05

Friday, March 11: Philadelphia Phillies – Sarasota – 1:05

Saturday, March 12: Houston Astros – Orlando – 1:05

Sunday, March 13: Detroit Tigers – Sarasota – 1:05

Monday, March 14: Pittsburgh Pirates – Sarasota – 1:05

Tuesday, March 15: Houston Astros – Sarasota – 1:05

Wednesday, March 16: New York Yankees – Tampa – 1:05

Thursday, March 17: Pittsburgh Pirates – Bradenton – 1:05

Friday, March 18: Minnesota Twins – Sarasota – 7:05

Saturday, March 19: Philadelphia Phillies – Sarasota – 1:05

Sunday, March 20: Tampa Bay Rays – Charlotte County – 1:05

Monday, March 21: Off day

Tuesday, March 22: New York Yankees – Sarasota – 1:05

Wednesday, March 23: Minnesota Twins – Lee County – 7:05

Thursday, March 24: Pittsburgh Pirates – Sarasota – 7:05

Friday, March 25: Minnesota Twins – Lee County – 1:05

Saturday, March 26: Detroit Tigers – Lakeland – 1:05

Sunday, March 27: Boston Red Sox (ss) – Sarasota – 1:05

Toronto Blue Jays (ss) – Dunedin – 1:05

Monday, March 28: Detroit Tigers – Sarasota – 1:05

Tuesday, March 29: Toronto Blue Jays – Sarasota – 1:05