The Orioles "will not play an exhibition game" in '19 against another MLB team at Max Bishop Stadium as originally announced, according to a front-page piece by Bill Wagner of the Annapolis CAPITAL. Navy Senior Associate AD/Sports Information Scott Strasemeier said that the Orioles were "unable to find an opponent," but that the club is “actively seeking” another MLB team willing to play an exhibition at the Naval Academy in '20. The original announcement of a multiyear partnership between the organization and service academy also stated that the Navy baseball team "would visit the Orioles’ complex" in Sarasota during Spring Training, but that trip is "not scheduled to take place" in '19. Strasemeier said that a visit to Sarasota "could possibly happen in the future, but did not fit the Navy baseball schedule" in '19. Orioles VP/Communications & Marketing Greg Bader said that there has been "no fundamental change to the partnership." Bader noted that the Orioles will still host “Celebrate Navy Day” at Oriole Park this season and will "continue to work with academy officials on future opportunities" (Annapolis CAPITAL, 1/17).
ONE IN A MILLION: The Orioles this season will honor the "one millionth fan" to attend Spring Training games since the team moved its operations to Sarasota in '10. The fan will receive a $5,000 "shopping experience at Diamond Vault in Sarasota, two spring training season tickets for five years and more" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 1/16).
