New Year. New Hopes. Same Commitment to our Community.

Salisbury, Md. – 2020 was an unprecedented year where a global pandemic halted the Delmarva Shorebirds 2020 silver anniversary season before the first pitch was even thrown. The pandemic caused heartache, loss, grief, frustration, but it also caused us to take a step back and appreciate everything that we have accomplished.

As we embark on a new year of Shorebirds baseball in 2021, we want to take a look back at all that we were able to accomplish together as a community, as a family, as one in 2020.

While we are not sad to see 2020 go, we first want to say THANK YOU to all of our fans, ticket holders, corporate partners, staff members, and everyone who supports the Shorebirds organization. Without you, there would be no Delmarva Shorebirds and we are proud of the way our community has rallied together to continue to combat this horrible virus.

Throughout all the changes and new lifestyles that forced us all to adapt, one thing remained constant… the support of the Shorebirds fans. Through your unwavering support we were able to host numerous events to bring our community together in a year where we all felt so apart.

Right from the onset of the pandemic, the Shorebirds teamed up with their partners over at TidalHealth to hold a COVID-19 testing site here at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. COVID-19 tests were conducted each day at the stadium as the Shorebirds were proud to help fight this pandemic in anyway possible.

After the season was officially delayed on March 12, 2020, the Shorebirds quickly sprang into action to create Virtual Happy Hours that garnered thousands of views and allowed fans to stay connected with everything surrounding the Shorebirds. We welcomed guests like our very own GM Chris Bitters, former Shorebirds Head Coach Gary Kendall, and many more Shorebirds guests where fans received the opportunity to interact and ask questions.

Shortly after, the Shorebirds launched our first-ever Fly Together Virtual 5K with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Operation We Care. The 5K garnered over 70 participants spanning across 11 different states, while raising $740 for Operation We Care.

The community support did not stop there as in late May we welcomed our inaugural Flock for a Cause Fundraiser that benefited the Fly Together Fund. Over $1200 was generated from the virtual event with all the proceeds benefitting the Fly Together Fund that is used to help invest in our community right here on Delmarva.

After the season was shelved on June 30, 2020, the Shorebirds continued to create community-centered events adhering with all local & state health guidelines. As the locker rooms sat empty, the field & dugouts did not as the Shorebirds made sure there was still baseball played on the beautiful surface at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Each and every year, the Shorebirds work diligently to continue to expand the game of baseball and give aspiring ball players the opportunity to grow their passion for the game. Just in 2020, the Shorebirds hosted over 15 youth baseball tournaments, 2 Delmarva Baseball Weekends, multiple youth showcases, and allowed thousands of baseball players of all ages to play on the field here at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

In addition, the Shorebirds teamed up with University of Maryland Eastern Shore Head Coach Brian Hollamon and his staff to continue to teach the game to our youth right here on Delmarva. With instruction led by Coach Hollamon, the Shorebirds were able to continue hosting their annual Summer Baseball Camp helping over 40 kids learn the fundamentals of baseball and develop their passion for the sport.

As the summer rolled on, the Shorebirds continued to create different ways to help our local community escape the everyday stresses that came from 2020. Late into the summer, the Shorebirds hosted 2 Drive-In Firework Shows that welcomed over 750 cars and a couple thousand people who enjoyed a first-class fireworks show safely from their own car.

We hosted Movie Night on the lawn at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium where over 235 people sat socially distanced as they enjoyed popcorn, drinks, and the movie Sonic the Hedgehog. Plus, while fans were enjoying fun, family entertainment, the Shorebirds also joined forces with Wicomico Goes Purple to add to the festivities and raise awareness about a great cause.

On August 19, 2020, the Shorebirds teamed up with Wor-Wic Community College to give their recent graduates the graduation ceremony they earned. That night, we helped honor over 100 new Wor-Wic Community College graduates as they began the next steps on their journey.

Lastly, the Shorebirds ended 2020 by participating in the annual Mountaire Farms Thanksgiving for Thousands event. A group of 10 Shorebirds front office members joined other local community members to help pack thousands of Thanksgiving meals for families in need.

In short, 2020 was incredibly challenging, but the Shorebirds were and will remain committed to serving our Delmarva community and being the #1 spot for family entertainment on the Eastern Shore. As we reflect on 2020, we are very proud of what we were able to accomplish as an organization, but we are even more proud of how our community was able to rally together to make these events possible.

Therefore, as we bid 2020 farewell and welcome 2021 with open arms, we look forward to continuing to help grow Delmarva and make this year one of the best years yet for our area, for our community, for our Shorebirds family.