Minor league programs are an important part of my collection. Bill's offer to help with some Delmarva Shorebirds items prompted me to post a few more current programs. For many years, teams would generally print one or two different program covers each year. Rarely would teams print more than three or four. That all changed with the Bowie BaySox in 2001 and the Frederick Keys, Delmarva Shorebirds and Aberdeen Ironbirds in 2002. Teams changed from traditional sized programs to what are now often referred to as playbills. Most of you have probably attended a minor league game in recent years and know what I'm talking about.
The playbills are approximately 6x9 and were passed out free to fans entering the game. They contain many of the same features as the old style programs, player stories, schedules, rosters, etc. Many programs feature future Orioles on the cover. In addition to be free to fans, different programs began being printed for each series or homestand. In fact, from 2002 until 2013, the Ironbirds printed a different program each game. Each program was dated. I can't imagine the work involved in updating and printing new programs each game. Getting a program or two from each year is quite simple, but of course I'm trying to get copies of every issue throughout the years.
Here's my progress - Most of my needs are from 2001-2004
Bowie BaySox 222 out of 256 (Missing 34)
Frederick Keys 176 out of 185 (Missing 9)
Delmarva Shorebirds 236 out of 246 (Missing 10)
Aberdeen Ironbirds 1752 out of 1753 (only missing the Aug 12, 2016 issue)
Bowie BaySox Programs from 2001, 2007, 2014 and 2016
2001 Bowie BaySox #13.jpg 2007 Bowie BaySox #9.jpg
2014 Bowie BaySox #1.jpg 2016 Bowie BaySox #5.jpg
Frederick Keys Programs from 2002, 2006, 2015 and 2018
2002 Frederick Keys #2.jpg 2006 Frederick Keys #3.jpg
2015 Frederick Keys #4.jpg 2018 Frederick Keys #2.JPG
Delmarva Shorebirds Programs from 2003, 2009, 2013 and 2019
2003 Delmarva Shorebirds #3.jpg 2009 Delmarva Shorebirds #6.jpg
2013 Delmarva Shorebirds #7.jpg 2019 Delmarva Shorebirds #11.JPG
Aberdeen Ironbirds Programs from 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2019
2002 Aberdeen Ironbirds #1.jpg 2003 Aberdeen Ironbirds #1.jpg
2005 Aberdeen Ironbirds #37.jpg 2007 Aberdeen Ironbirds #36.jpg
2011 Aberdeen Ironbirds #18.jpg 2019 Aberdeen Ironbirds #10.JPG