Shorebirds 2025 Hot Stove Raises over $13,500 for Fly Together Fund!

Even though the Shorebirds’ April 8 home opener against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers is about a month away, longtime season ticket holder Vicki Parks is already counting down the days. And her countdown began with the team’s annual Hot Stove Banquet on Jan. 30 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

“It’s the start,” said Parks, a Salisbury resident who has been a season ticket holder for more than a decade. “Baseball season is about to begin. This gets you in the spirit and excited for the start of a new year.”

Parks isn’t alone in her love for the Shorebirds or her anticipation for the 2025 campaign. A record crowd of 565 people packed the Civic Center’s Normandy Arena for a chance to bid on silent auction items, talk baseball, learn about upgrades underway at Perdue Stadium and meet Brandon Hyde, manager of the Shorebirds’ parent club, the Baltimore Orioles.

“What could be better?” asked Parks. “I get to see all my (Perdue) Stadium friends, sit down for a few minutes and catch up. For me, this is like the start of the season.”

Hyde, who posed for pictures with fans, signed autographs and participated in a question-and-answer session with WBOC-TV Chief Meteorologist (and Shorebirds season ticket holder) Mike Lichniak, knows the key role the low Single-A franchise plays in terms of player development.

Look closely at the young core of players the Orioles have grown in one of Minor League Baseball’s premier systems and most of them have passed through Salisbury early in their careers, an early step toward the majors.

“During the season, you’re in a cocoon and you’re kinda focused on playing every night, trying to win as many games as you can” Hyde said. “To go out and see hundreds of people and their love for the Orioles, that’s great to see. Coming back to the affiliates and understanding that this is a major part of development – I was in the minor leagues for a long time, and I played and coached in this league – I know … how important this team is to these communities. Anytime you can show your appreciation to the fans, I think it’s a great thing.”

And the community benefits, as well. Proceeds from the event benefit the Shorebirds’ Fly Together Fund, which helps fund community projects with a focus on supporting local youth and youth activities. This year’s Hot Stove Banquet raised over $13,500 that will directly advantage local organizations on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Shorebirds general manager Chris Bitters was impressed by the crowd – a sea of orange and black, many donning the uniform jerseys of their favorite Orioles and Shorebirds players, past and present – and said the event has grown significantly from its humble beginnings.

But many of the fans in attendance are fervent Shorebirds backers, eager for an opportunity to think warm baseball thoughts during an unusually cold winter on Delmarva.

Parks, who lives five minutes from Perdue Stadium, had served as a host family more than a dozen Shorebirds players over the years, including pitchers Nick Vespi and Brandon Young.

Doug and Laura Curtis of Crisfield have half-season upper reserve tickets on the third base side of the ballpark, and enjoy getting to interact with other Shorebirds fans.

“We’re big Orioles fans, so it’s cool to see Brandon Hyde, support the team and give back to the community,” Laura said.

The Hot Stove Banquet merely whetted Doug’s appetite for the upcoming season, and more opportunities to add to his impressive collection of Shorebirds jerseys won at auction.

“I just like being there and being around the team,” he said. “I can’t wait for the new season to begin.”