Opening Day has arrived at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ballpark, the team released a tribute video featuring an original poem by Baltimore-based author, poet, and Coppin State University professor Kondwani Fidel.
Fidel’s poem, “The Origin,” pays homage to the park and its history.
The poem begins: “Can I talk to y’all for a minute, / about the ballpark that forever changed baseball. / It’s been a strong 30 years, yeah / I’m not speaking amiss when I say, / We built this. / Let’s reminisce.”
“The Origin” pic.twitter.com/Te8HfccWyl
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 11, 2022
“I’m grateful that I can inspire young people who come from neighborhoods like the one I grew up in over East Baltimore—showing them the many opportunities that exist within the writing world,” Fidel wrote in an Instagram post announcing the video.
Fidel, an assistant professor of English at Coppin State, is the author of “The Antiracist: How to Start the Conversation and Take Action,” “Raw Wounds,” and “Hummingbirds in the Trenches.”
The Orioles will open today’s festivities with the tribute video at the ballpark at 2:25 p.m., followed by a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by the Morgan State University Choir.
Also in honor of the 30th anniversary season, the Orioles will unveil a special exhibit near home plate featuring historic memorabilia and offer special ticket pricing throughout the season.
