By Aaron Heller//
For the first time since 2020, the Frederick Keys are back in Frederick as a High-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, although the opening day celebration on April 14 was marred by rain delays.
A crowd packed Nymeo Field for the Keys’ home opener against the Hudson Valley Renegades, but after multiple rain delays, the game was postponed.
For the past six years, the Keys have been a part of the MLB Draft League, which was a developmental league for players looking for an opportunity to play professional baseball.
This change was announced last summer as Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, the home to the Frederick Keys, was undergoing a $39 million renovation to bring the field and surrounding concourse up to MLB standards.
These new features, such as expanded seating, indoor facilities, revamped bullpen, top-of-the-line lock room, and new style home run fence, were some of the few changes made under their new renovation.
The Keys made the switch with neighboring team, The Aberdeen IronBirds, who now transitioned to the Draft League, due to Frederick’s constant high attendance rate at Keys games. Overall, the Keys averaged roughly 3,000 people, whereas the IronBirds averaged roughly 1,600 people.
With standout players like outfielder Vance Honeycutt, who made his name known in the 2024 College World Series and Wehiwa Aloy, the 2025 College Golden Spikes winner for top player in the US, the Keys are set to make headlines in the South Atlantic League.
The Keys are back at Nymeo Field on April 21 against the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
For schedule, tickets and roster information, go to www.milb.com/frederick.
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