Michael Mister, an Orioles fan living in Bellefonte, Pa., is using his love of baseball and penchant for attending minor league games to help those battling leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening blood cancers that require bone marrow transplants. When Mister found out that Lynn Marie McManus of Greensboro, N.C., the wife of his former Marine Corps buddy Jim McManus, was stricken with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant, he wanted to help. Lynn Marie had been in and out of the ...

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators announced Thursday they will have a new on-field batting practice cap worn by players, coaches and staff for the upcoming 2014 season. The New Era fitted cap is blue with a blue bill and a red button on top, with a mayfly depicted on the front panel. "We really wanted to capture something that is unique to us with this new on-field cap," said Senators president Kevin Kulp said a team-issued new release. "The mayfly is truly nature at work. We have what I...

Spring training games start today! The lineup was already posted Wednesday, with Taylor Jordan penciled in to start. On Sunday, the Nationals will play their first televised game, so be sure to tune in to MASN HD! You can see the full spring training broadcast schedule here. While we were waiting around for actual games, there was a lot of news coming out of Nats camp in Viera, Fla. Many pitchers threw successful bullpen sessions this week, including Sammy Solis, Tyler Clippard and Drew...

VIERA, Fla. - Today is Denard Span's 30th birthday, and a handful of fans who were in attendance for this morning's casual workout inside Space Coast Stadium sang "Happy Birthday" to the Nationals center fielder when he stepped into the cage for his first round of batting practice. After the song was over, one fan shouted, "Old man!" at Span. Not nice, dude. Not nice. Not only did Wilson Ramos get a crash course on the new rules regarding home plate collisions today, he also crushed a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The visiting Orioles swept the two-game intrasquad series from the home team at Ed Smith Stadium with today's 3-0 victory. If you placed any bets, seek professional help immediately. Tim Berry reached his pitch count in the top of the fourth, walking two batters and giving up an infield hit to Julio Borbon. Kelvin De La Cruz walked Jemile Weeks leading off the bottom of the fourth, and Weeks tagged up and took second base on a fly ball to right-center field. Troy Patton...

VIERA, Fla. - About 20 minutes before the Nationals' workout got under way this morning - a workout that was brief and laid-back the day before Matt Williams' squad will get its spring schedule underway - a group of catchers stood out at home plate at Space Coast Stadium putting in some extra defensive work. Bench coach Randy Knorr and third base coach Bobby Henley, two former big league catchers, both spent time showing Wilson Ramos, Jose Lobaton, Jhonatan Solano and Sandy Leon proper form...

The Orioles have announced plans for the first game of their 2014 spring training season and their fifth season in Sarasota. The team will face the Toronto Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium this Saturday, March 1, at 1:05 p.m. and host Military Appreciation Day. Pre-game ceremonies will air live on television in the Sarasota area on SNN6 beginning at 12:30 p.m. All fans in attendance will receive a 2014 spring training schedule magnet, courtesy of Visit Sarasota County. The first 1,000 female fans...

SARASOTA, Fla. - That's two intrasquad games and two home runs for Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop. Schoop drove an 0-1 pitch from Bud Norris over the left-center field fence in the top of the first inning, the ball slamming off the wooden television platform. An absolute bomb. Schoop drilled a two-run shot off Steve Johnson in yesterday's game. Francisco Peguero singled off Norris, but Steve Pearce grounded into a double play. Henry Urrutia lined to center field leading off the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play their intrasquad game at 11 a.m. today at Ed Smith Stadium. It's closed to the public. Here are a few injury updates: * Outfielder Quintin Berry swung a bat today and said his back is "pain-free." "I'm ready to go whenever," he said. "I think it's just precautionary now." * Alexi Casilla continues to receive treatment on his right hamstring and doesn't know when he'll be cleared for workouts and games. "It's healing," he said. * Dylan...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles play their final intrasquad game today before diving into the Grapefruit League schedule. It's scheduled to last four or five innings. I should add weather permitting, because it's overcast and rain could change those plans. The lineups are in reverse alphabetical order today. Nelson Cruz must have talked his way into the lineup. He's starting in left field for the home team. Cruz will make his Grapefruit League debut in Saturday's home exhibition opener...