The Baltimore Orioles became the first American professional sports team to wear jerseys with the team and players' names written in Braille, as the team hosted the National Federation of the Blind Night Tuesday in celebration of the organization's 40th year based in Baltimore.
President of the NFB Mark Riccobono, who is also blind, threw out the ceremonial first pitch and Carlos Alberto Ibay, a blind singer and concert pianist, performed the national anthem.
“We’ve made a conscious effort to create an environment where everyone feels welcome at the ballpark,” said Orioles marketing head
Greg Bader. “We take our role as entertainer very seriously, but we also want to serve as an escape for some people, and as a platform to highlight the causes and morals that we feel strongly about. A ‘blindness awareness night’ puts it into perspective that there’s more going on out there than just wins and losses.”
In recognition of last night’s historic @Orioles uniforms featuring Braille lettering, @MychalGivens’ game-worn jersey is headed to the #HOF. Other jerseys from the game are being auctioned off to benefit the National Federation of the Blind at https://t.co/dGLxG1fhV7. @NFB_Voice pic.twitter.com/B12ZeebF9i
— Baseball Hall ⚾ (@baseballhall)
September 19, 2018 The Orioles lost to the Blue Jays, 6-4, for their 108th defeat of the season, which set a franchise record.
