Surprise! Orioles Outfielder Adam Jones Shows Young Athletes That Sports Matter
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Coming off an exciting win Monday night, Orioles outfielder Adam Jones has a special surprise for some Baltimore school children.
Jessica Kartalija reports it's a surprise that comes with a special message.
At a special event at Patterson Park for Sports Matter, a foundation by Dick's Sporting Goods, kids thought they were getting a donation to help save youth sports.
"We had a committee that chose 184 teams around the country out of the 500 that applied," said Bobbie Bardzik, Dick's Sporting Goods. "A lot of these kids just can't afford to play anymore or it's pay for play and we at Dicks Sporting Goods believe sports matter."
It's part of a foundation started by Dick's Sporting Goods called Sports Matter.
The Parks and People Foundation is being awarded for their baseball program and the Girls On The Run of the Greater Chesapeake for their newer Baltimore City and Baltimore County programs.
"Our program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun based curriculum that creatively integrates running," said Laura Mish, Girls On The Run. "We were so, so excited when Dick's announced we would be part of their Sports Matter campaign this season."
Excitement grew when Orioles outfielder, Adam Jones, arrived to meet the kids and their coaches.
Coming off a great game Monday night, Jones presented each organization with some major league dollar checks.
"Our baseball program is thriving now, and it's growing and we are really appreciative of the match we got from Dick's to continue our baseball program," said David Johnson, Parks and People Foundation.
Jones then stuck around to sign autographs.
"I had a feeling that something was going to happen, but I didn't know what was going to happen," one boy said.
"I didn't know it was going to be Adam Jones. I thought it might be another player," another little boy said.
During a five-week period, Sports Matter raised more than $2 million in donations.
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