MLB Draft League Spotlight: Frederick Keys
February 5, 2021
Team: Frederick Keys
Location: Frederick, MD
Venue: Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium
Just 50 miles from Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Frederick Keys were the Carolina League affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles since the franchise was established in 1989. In that time, more than 160 Keys went on to play in the major leagues. Now, Frederick will host big league dreams as a founding member of the MLB Draft League.
“We are ecstatic to have Frederick continue to be a gateway to the majors in the all-new MLB Draft League and cannot wait for another season of Keys baseball,” Keys president and owner Ken Young said. “Frederick is such a wonderful community with tremendous fans and support. Over the years, the Keys have been one of the best drawing franchises in the Carolina League and we very much appreciate that commitment from the greater Frederick area.”
Fans, more than 9.1 million in fact, have routinely come out to support the Keys over the years. In its first season, Frederick averaged 2,720 fans per game. From 1990-2019, that number never dipped below 4,100, and the Keys averaged close to 300,000 per season. Since 2012, the franchise finished first or second in the Carolina League and all of high Class A (including the California and Florida State Leagues) in attendance.
In 31 Carolina League seasons, the Keys were Mills Cup Champions four times, in 1990, 2005, 2007 and 2011.
In 2019, Frederick was given the Matt Minker Award, recognizing its outstanding and on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within its community. The Keys’ charitable foundation, Frederick Keys Care, benefitted organizations like the YMCA, Heartly House, Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP), Advocates for Homeless Families, Blessings in a Backpack and Sophie and Madigan's Playground. Keys Care also raised more than $50,000 over three years through the team’s Charity Golf Classic, Mystery Ball, 50/50 raffles and more. During 2019, the Keys donated tickets, suites, marketing booths, jerseys, hats and signed memorabilia to more than 500 organizations. They also distributed 58,000 summer reading bookmarks to seven counties and students who completed their summer reading program could then come to a Keys game to be honored.
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