masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSo what is it like to run down that orange carpet in front of a packed house wildly cheering at Camden Yards? Orioles players get to do it again today for the home opener in Baltimore.
In a continuation of the club’s opening day tradition, Orioles players and coaches will be introduced prior to the game. The players will run through the center field gate on an orange carpet and take their places between first and second base. Manager Buck Showalter, coaches and staff will be introduced from…

So what is it like to run down that orange carpet in front of a packed house wildly cheering at Camden Yards? Orioles players get to do it again today for the home opener in Baltimore.

In a continuation of the club’s opening day tradition, Orioles players and coaches will be introduced prior to the game. The players will run through the center field gate on an orange carpet and take their places between first and second base. Manager Buck Showalter, coaches and staff will be introduced from the Orioles dugout. Members of the Blue Jays will be announced and will run from their dugout to line up between second and third base.

I asked a few O’s players what the feeling is like to run in from center field:

Steve Pearce
“It’s special. The atmosphere is crazy, to hear our crowd. Home openers are great. The crowd means a great deal. It fires us up and nice to have them behind us when we take the field.”

zach_britton-sidebar_pitching.jpgZach Britton
“It’s awesome. This will be the third time I’ve gotten to do it. Our fans here are awesome and it’s an opening day you will not experience anywhere else.

“We’ve had some good crowds with the playoffs and even some in the regular season like we will have (today), but for the guys that have never experienced opening day in Baltimore before, it’s pretty exciting. Feels like the season is starting when you play in front of your home crowd.

“Think just the way we put on opening day here is special. From running out on the orange carpet and the sellout crowd – it’s not like that in Tampa. Even visiting teams, they come here for opening day and they are impressed. We are excited to start our home schedule.”

Caleb Joseph (will do it for the first time today)
“It will be really exciting. The fans that we have and excitement around the city, especially after the year we had last year is something.”

Jonathan Schoop
“I loved it last year and can’t wait to do that again. I was nervous my first big league game. Didn’t want to fall. But it was something I’ll never forget. Our fans here are the best fans.”

OriolesREACH has arranged for 80 youth from the Y of Central Maryland to line the orange carpet holding Orioles flags during player introductions and each child will also receive a complimentary game ticket for today. The Orioles and center fielder Adam Jones are supporting the Y of Central Maryland’s “Y Send a Kid to Camp” campaign for the third consecutive year to help keep children and families throughout Central Maryland healthy in spirit, mind and body.

For the 22nd straight season, one fan will be chosen to represent all Orioles fans as the team’s “10th man.” The fan will be introduced as a part of the Orioles’ starting lineup during the pregame ceremonies.