Game facts
Gates open: Noon
Taking the field: Orioles batting practice, 12:35 p.m.; Royals batting practice, 1:45 p.m.; Orioles infield practice, 2:25 p.m.; Royals infield practice, 2:35 p.m.
Pre-game ceremonies: 2:45 p.m.
National anthem: Performed at approximately 2:55 p.m. by opera singer Chris Merritt, accompanied by the Baltimore Symphony brass section.
Ceremonial first pitch: Approximately 2:55 p.m. by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Tickets: Sold out.
Promotion: Everyone at the game receives a pennant that says "Go Orioles."
Weather: Mostly sunny, windy (30 to 35 mph) and cool. Highs in the upper 40s.
TV: Channel 13, 3 p.m.
Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), WTOP (1500 AM)
Projected lineups
Royals
Jose Offerman
2B
Jay Bell
SS
Bip Roberts
LF
Jeff King
1B
Joe Vitiello
DH
Jermaine Dye
RF
Mike Macfarlane
C
Craig Paquette
3B
Tom Goodwin
CF
Kevin Appier
P
Orioles
Tony Tarasco
DH
Mike Bordick
SS
Rafael Palmeiro
1B
Eric Davis
RF
B.J. Surhoff
LF
Cal Ripken
3B
Jeffrey Hammonds
CF
Chris Hoiles
C
Jeff Reboulet
2B
Jimmy Key
P
Inside
Anderson watch: A decision on playing or disabling sore-ribbed center fielder Brady Anderson will be made before today's game. [Page 2e]
Contract impasse: The Orioles fail to reach agreement with Mike Mussina, Brady Anderson and Cal Ripken by today's deadline. [Page 2e]
The best route: With a limited number of parking spaces available, fans going to today's opener would be better off taking mass transit. [Page 3e]
Turnaround in K.C.: A series of smart moves may have turned the Royals from a non-factor in 1996 into a wild-card contender in 1997. [Page 5e]
Names and numbers: Scouting report on the series, rosters and final spring training statistics. [Page 6e]
Heating up: Baseball avoids Opening Day snowouts by playing in all five domes and in every West Coast city. [Page 13e]
Pub Date: 4/01/97