As sports logo apparel has moved out of the bleachers and gyms and into the mainstream, it can be found in department stores as well as in sporting goods stores and at the ballpark.
And stores don't just stock the hometown team. Shoppers in Baltimore are as likely to find Colorado Rockies shirts in the mall as Orioles shirts. Out-of-town visitors who might once have been able to bring home something different are finding the same items they can buy at home.
But, says Larry Moorjani, they'll find uniquely Baltimore and Orioles things at the Orioles Baseball Stores this year.
He says that a number of T-shirts and sweat shirts sold at the Orioles Baseball Stores and at the ballpark are imprinted with "Exclusive Oriole Park at Camden Yards Apparel." These will not be available anywhere else. Moorjani, Aramark's general manager for retail sales at Oriole Park, says, "That's the type of product we're trying to offer this year."
One such shirt shows the ballpark and Baltimore skyline with the words "Oriole Park/Camden Yards/Baltimore, Md.," and has the right-facing oriole on top of the "N." Another shows an old-time baseball player and the legend "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." Moorjani says these would qualify as "fashion apparel," dressier treatments of traditional baseball motifs.
Traditionalists can find a lot new because the Orioles and Oriole Park at Camden Yards have new logos. (While the old logos may become collector's items, leftovers are still in stock.)
"We've updated everything," says Moorjani. The new team logo is on everything, including neon signs in the main store.
He says business has picked up since the players strike ended and that the best sellers have been apparel, especially lightweight jackets and caps.
Supply has not been a problem, Moorjani says, because "most of the assortment was ordered on an if-play basis," and they've been getting shipments constantly.
Fans who can't travel to Baltimore sometimes phone the store and order from employees' descriptions. That will be changing.
"Will there be an Oriole catalog in the near future?" says Moorjani. "Yes!"
Because the strike held up production of card companies' second series, Moorjani says, Orioles team sets are not in, but he hopes they will be in stock for the home opener May 1.
For information, call the Orioles Baseball Store at (410) 332-4633.
The bat of your team
