Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- It seemed like a good idea at the time. Sit in the first row of seats during yesterday's workout, tie a Styrofoam cup to a long string and lower it in front of the dugout entrance with a request, written in colorful marker, for a signed baseball. Adding the obligatory "Go Orioles" was a nice touch.
A male fan and his two young daughters were hoping for a souvenir, but their first few attempts didn't go as planned. Kevin Millar assumed there was a ball inside the cup, which he thought was a great idea, but once he discovered that it was empty, he gave up and took a seat on the bench, promising to sign something later. Aubrey Huff provided a snack by pouring in his sunflower seeds and tugging on the string.
Freddie Bynum wanted to give them a drink on a scorching day, but his red Powerade wouldn't fit inside the cup.