Gameday

For a relatively small place, Camden Yards has plenty of things to do on gameday, both inside and outside of the ballpark. Let’s get you up to speed on your choices so you can maximize your experience.

Just a note: the Orioles had drastically reduced their gate opening times in the last few years as they struggled with attendance. But with the team doing well, it appears that they have expanded them again, which is great news for everyone. Those gate opening times are:

Monday – Thursday: 60 minutes before first pitch

Friday and Sunday: 90 minutes before first pitch

Saturday: 2 hours before first pitch

Pregame options outside the park

Pickles Pub

When it comes to Orioles bars, Pickles on Washington Boulevard is the gold (or, perhaps, orange) standard. Situated right across the street from Camden Yards, with a sizable indoor area as well as an outside patio, Pickles is full of Orioles fans right until first pitch. If you want an outdoor table, you’ll want to get there on the early side for weekend games or when big opponents are in town. 

TSI Pro Tip: When there is a potential for a rain delay, local fans will delay their entry into the ballpark and will hang out at Pickles—with their much lower beer prices—until the weather clears.

Section 771 and Pizzaria Di Sottaceti

Next door to Pickles is Section 771, which used to be Sliders until they changed ownership prior to the 2023 season. There’s also a new pizza place next to Pickles called Pizzaria Di Sottaceti.

Slightly further from the park, you can also pregame at Pratt Street Ale House or Gameday Firehouse near M&T Bank Stadium (the Ravens’ home). Pratt Street Ale House is a little more subdued than the Washington Boulevard trio, so if that’s your preference, it’s a good option. Gameday Firehouse is more of a Ravens place, as suggested by their location, but when they do host events for major Orioles games, they tend to go all out. But we’d still stick to the bars closer to the ballpark rather than walking further away.

Entering the park

While any of the gates are fine, if you enter at Gate H on the northeast corner of the ballpark (Eutaw and Camden Streets) you’ll see the collection of statues of Oriole greats welcoming you to the park. This gate is also where Will Call and the ticketing offices are located.

What to do inside Camden Yards

Batting Practice

With the earlier gate opening times on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, it’s possible to catch batting practice, although you’re more likely to see the visiting team than the Orioles. But now that the fence has been pushed back in left field, there are fewer homers to shag, and fewer seats where a home run might reach you. Nevertheless, if catching batting practice is of interest, getting to the ballpark when the gates open is your best strategy.

For weekday games, the gates will open too late to catch either team’s batting practice, so you should focus your attention on other pregame options.

Autographs

As with batting practice, it will be easier to get autographs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday when there’s more time to wait along the ends of the field. Players can sign at their own discretion, but obviously there will be greater competition for autographs when nearby east coast opponents are in town, just due to the larger crowds.

Architecture and Stadium Features

Whether you visit Camden Yards for a game or a series, it is worth a thorough exploration for the architecture alone, and there is only one place to start: Eutaw Street. 

The two main entrances to Camden Yards are in the right field and center field corners of the concourse, and between them runs Eutaw Street, Camden Yards’ main thoroughfare, which is hemmed in by the B&O Warehouse. One of baseball’s most iconic stadium features, the former B&O Warehouse is an eight-story, 1116-foot long statement of character. When you think of Camden Yards, you think of the warehouse, and that’s how the designers of Camden Yards wanted it. 

The warehouse first opened in 1905 and served the historic Camden Station, but had been out of use for decades when Camden Yards opened in 1992 and incorporated the warehouse into its decor. Today, the warehouse houses the main Orioles team store, team offices, and a sportsbook. For special occasions, like Cal Ripken’s record-breaking 2131st consecutive game, the Orioles use the warehouse for decorative purposes.

When you walk on Eutaw Street and along the warehouse, take note of the baseball shaped plaques under your feet and on the wall. They represent home runs that were hit on-the-fly onto Eutaw Street or into the warehouse. As of now, no player has hit the B&O Warehouse during a game, but Ken Griffey Jr. hit it during the 1993 Home Run Derby, and there is a plaque commemorating that home run.

Right off of Eutaw Street in right field is the right field standing room only and flag area. We’ve already told you to catch an inning or two of the game from here if you can, but it’s also a landmark in the stadium that’s worth checking out. 

Across from the warehouse, between the right field flag area and the center field bleachers, is Boog’s BBQ pit, one of Camden Yards’ flagship food options. To be honest, we find it to be a bit overrated, but it’s an iconic concession stand, and if you’re a first-time visitor, you may want to give it a try.

Just beyond the north end of Eutaw Street, the Orioles have a monument park in left center field. Featuring statues of team greats Earl Weaver, Cal Ripken Jr., Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson, the monument park is a notable part of the lower level at Camden Yards. It’s right behind the bullpens, and to the left of the picnic area in center field. 

As do many other teams, the Orioles showcase pieces of classic memorabilia inside the walking concourse, and, if history is your thing, then you should be sure to check those out. But most of the best jerseys and photos are on the club level, which is only accessible with a ticket for that level, so if you’re really interested in seeing everything, you may want to grab a club ticket for one of the games that you’ll be seeing.

Food

The Orioles recently turned over their food vendors, so there are a number of new food options to try, but seeing as it is Baltimore, you should avail yourself of the many crab and Old Bay infused options. The crab loaded hot dog is the most over-the-top, and there are many other options as well.

Also of note is the 410 Stand, which is located all over the stadium. Named and themed for Baltimore’s area code, the 410 stand offers basic snacks and drinks (read: not beers) for just $4.10, a bargain at any MLB stadium.

OOOOOOOOOOOH

As the game is set to start, take note of the national anthem. With absolutely no disrespect intended, Orioles fans take a bit of liberty with the lyrics, and chime in with the singer(s) on the O from “oh say can you see.” This tradition is an Orioles classic, but it has permeated the Maryland sports ethos. You will often hear an “OH” during the national anthem at other Maryland sports games, and even sometimes at games in DC. While you’re at Camden Yards, you’ll want to catch the original.

What to do during the game

The Bird Bath

We’ve said it before, but you need to check out the Bird Bath. The section is led by “Mr. Splash”, a cheerleader armed with pool floaties, water guns, a hose, and a megaphone. He splashes fans after every Orioles run and extra base hit (and, frankly, whenever he feels like it). 

Unlike other mascots and hype men, Mr. Splash has had a major impact on the cheering in Camden Yards. Together with the splash-ees, he starts cheers that carry across the stadium, and sitting in the Bird Bath (or next to it, if you paid for tickets elsewhere) you get the feeling that you are at the center of the action, even though you are deep in left center.

The Kids Corner

At the back of the concourse near Section 1, there is a play area for kids. With an Orioles-themed treehouse, moon bounce, skee-ball, baseball throwing inflatable, and Oriole Bird bobbleheads, there are plenty of things to keep kids entertained for an inning or two. 

The Orioles also expanded the concessions options for kids with exclusives like snowballs, corn dogs, and chicken nuggets. There is an ice cream stand just past the Kids Corner, and a mixed drinks stand for adults who have to spend time away from the action.

The 7th inning stretch

In addition to “Take Me Out To The Ballgame,” the Camden Yards PA also plays John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” during the seventh inning stretch. The song has been connected to the Orioles since the summer of 1975, when Denver’s classic track was first topping radio charts. John Denver even performed the song atop the Orioles dugout during the 1983 World Series. 

Though Country Boy mania is not nearly as strong as it was in the 70s and 80s, it is a can’t-miss element of the Camden Yards experience, and it makes the 7th inning stretch a high point of every O’s game.

If you want to read up on how this all came to be, check this story out.

The Vibes

When you walk around Camden Yards, you feel like you are in a classic baseball venue that is much older than it actually is. Between the stadium’s idiosyncrasies, the tributes to history, and just its general ballpark beauty, there is so much to see at Camden Yards. 

Even though you can’t see the field from the concourse, it is absolutely worth walking around the park and taking it all in either before or during the game. Whether you do it all in one game, or over the course of a weekend series, we think every fan who visits Camden Yards should take a full lap of the stadium. Take it in from different points of view, especially from the general admission areas like the Centerfield roof deck and the standing room only sections.

Bottom Line

Camden Yards inspired a generation of ballparks, and for good reason. Your visit can be packed to the brim with Baltimore-specific and Orioles-specific experiences. Get down to the ballpark early and grab a Natty Bo in an orange can at Pickles across the street. Check out the statues outside of the center field gate while you’re waiting for the ballpark to open. Meander down Eutaw Street and take in all of the history and architecture. Go up to the Centerfield roof deck for a drink and a great view of the stadium. Grab some BBQ at Boog’s or something with crab on it. Go see the statues behind center field. Walk the entire concourse. Oriole Park has tons to do—make sure you take the time to do it all.