Orioles Spring Training Opening Day: Know Before You Go

Besides baseball itself, there is plenty to watch for and listen at Ed Smith Stadium today for Opening Day. From an opera singer to free flowers, we have you covered for tomorrow's game.

Game, Gates and Parking

The Baltimore Orioles take on the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 p.m. Gates open at 11:05 a.m.

• 10-10:10 a.m.   Orioles Infield Practice
• 10:15-11:15 a.m.  Orioles Batting Practice
• 11:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m.  Twins Batting Practice
• 12:15 p.m.-12:25 p.m.   Twins Infield Practice

Parking is available beside Ed Smith Stadium on the north and south sides of 12th Street. Vehicles dropping off or picking up guests with special needs or disabilities are permitted to utilize the East Lot for this purpose. No vehicles are permitted to park curbside, nor are people able to stand and wait with vehicles.

Food and Coolers

Food and drinks are allowed inside the ballpark if they meet the following guidelines:

• Soft-sided and paper bags are permitted at Ed Smith Stadium, as long as they fit into a 16” x 16” x 8” container. Hard-sided coolers, thermoses, glass bottles, cans or alcoholic beverages are not permitted into the ballpark.
• Non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles are permitted into the park. All items will be checked at the gates and any beverage which has been opened or partially consumed prior to entry is subject to confiscation if it is thought to contain alcohol. In addition, no plastic or paper cups of beverages are permitted into the park at the entry gates.
• All items permitted into the ballpark will be inspected. No bags or items exceeding the maximum size of 16" x 16" x 8" are allowed into the ballpark.
• No containers or unauthorized items can be left at any park entrance.

Free Stuff

• All fans attending Saturday's game wil receive a 2013 spring training magnemt schedule from Visit Sarasota County.
• First 1,000 female fans receive a Bird of Paradise flower courtesy of Beneva Flowers

National Anthem Opera Style

Sarasota Opera's tenor Heath Huberg will perform the Star Spangled Banner. Hubger is singing the role of Nadir in Sarasota Opera's The Peral Fishers.

“In my youth I was in little league and other organized baseball leagues through school," Hudberg said in a statement. " I played on area all-star teams in tournaments and went to many different collegiate and professional camps."

Honoring Earl

The Baltimore Orioles will a special patch to honor the late Earl Weaver—the Hall of Fame manager overseeing the O's for 17 seasons compiling a .583 winning percentage. The patch will be worn on home, road and two alternative jerseys throughout spring training and the 2013 season.

Weaver oversaw the Orioles' 1970 World Series win against the Cincinnati Reds. He retired to Florida and frequently visited Orioles' spring training, and autographed his No. 4 in the Baseball Operations Center beside Ed Smith.

Before the game, a video tribute will be played followed by a moment of silence. Earl’s uniform number 4 will also be stenciled onto the grass outside of the Orioles dugout in foul territory, according to team officials.

First Pitch

Ben Millice, representing Southwest Airlines, the Official Airline of the Orioles, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. Southwest pulled out of its AirTran service from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to Baltimore-Washington International Airport last year, but still serves Tampa and Fort Myers.