By Gary Bennett
No one is more excited about the Frederick Keys in 2026 than owner Greg Baroni.
Baroni is credited with bringing the Keys back into the Orioles’ family and driving the public-private partnership between his company, Attain Sports, the City of Frederick and the Maryland Stadium Authority to upgrade Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. Together, the partners are overseeing a $39 million renovation that Major League Baseball requires of its minor league affiliates. Chances are you’ve seen the cranes, trucks and workers busily readying the stadium for months.
This season the Keys return as the High-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, a spot they held from their inception in 1989 until 2020. From 2021 to 2025, the Keys played in the MLB Draft League, unaffiliated with any major league club. They will compete in the South Atlantic League this year.
The Keys opened their season April 3 on the road. Their first home game is 7 p.m. April 14 against the Hudson Valley Renegades at the newly renovated Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. All fans in attendance on opening night will receive a commemorative rally towel.
The excitement for 2026 is palpable. Headlining the roster is Nate George, the reigning Orioles Minor League Player of the Year who finished with a .337 batting average in 87 games during the 2025 season and now ranks as the top prospect in the Orioles system — with Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers, who previously ranked ahead of him, having graduated to the Baltimore roster. Other prospects to watch include Ike Irish — a versatile 2025 first-round pick who can play catcher, first base and outfield — Vance Honeycutt and left-handed pitcher Boston Bateman.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Along with the much-anticipated return to the O’s fold, players and fans alike will enjoy a refurbished stadium in 2026. “The improvements will ensure the ballpark meets MLB Professional Development League standards while enhancing the overall experience for players, fans and the broader community,” said Baroni. “The renovations will deliver state-of-the-art facilities that directly support players’ health, preparation and daily experience.”
While many of the upgrades — new clubhouses, batting cages and bullpens — are designed to support player development and were stipulated by Major League Baseball, many others are designed to improve fan experience.
“The reconfiguration of the stadium has allowed us to expand the concourse and rethink how fans move through and enjoy the ballpark. Fans can expect more room to move and gather. Additional seating options include drink rails and flexible social spaces, enhanced hospitality areas for groups and expanded concessions,” said Baroni. The carousel and play area down the right field foul line where kids and parents liked to congregate have been removed, however.
Beginning in 2026, the stadium will not just be used for baseball. Baroni and his team are actively exploring ways to make it a true year-round community asset, even bringing in a full-time staffer with expertise in venue programming to help make that happen.
“Our goal is to include a mix of youth sports, concerts, festivals and other local gatherings that bring people together in different ways throughout the year,” said Baroni. “And this is just the beginning. We’re committed to continuing the evolution of the ballpark so it remains a vibrant, year-round destination.”
In an interesting move, Baroni and the Keys are proposing to add signage to the stadium for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 24. City council and the mayor must approve the request, which seeks to add the electrical workers’ union logo to the new batting training building on the southern side of the stadium, plainly visible from I-70. Baroni is quick to assure fans that the name of the stadium will not change.
“The Harry Grove name will absolutely continue. It reflects the history of the ballpark and the land donation that made it possible. We’re very intentional about the partners we bring into the ballpark. Our focus is on organizations that are deeply invested in the Frederick community.” The Nymeo Field moniker, added in 2015, will stick around, too. The city receives a portion of all naming rights revenue since Baroni and his company lease Harry Grove Stadium from the city.
ORIOLES MAGIC AGAIN
The stadium upgrade is exciting, but it probably wouldn’t have happened had Baroni been unsuccessful in getting the Orioles affiliation back in Frederick. Being a minor league affiliate of a major league club brings enormous player development responsibilities, of which no small part is the playing environment and training amenities.
But still, getting the Keys back to their High-A roots took some doing.
Baroni and his company purchased the Aberdeen IronBirds from the Ripken family in 2024. Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., the namesake for the Aberdeen team and stadium, sold his stake in the IronBirds after years of clashes with the city over lease agreements and stadium funding responsibilities. A crucial part of that deal returned the Orioles affiliation to Frederick and swapped the Draft League affiliation to the IronBirds — a move intended to play on Cal Ripken’s well-known emphasis on fundamentals, which the Draft League highlights.
What the move means for Frederick, however, can’t be overstated.
“There’s a deep and longstanding connection between Frederick and the Orioles. At its core, it reconnects Frederick to the future of the Orioles. Fans aren’t just watching a game — they’re following players as they develop, grow and ultimately make their way to Baltimore. That creates a much deeper level of engagement and investment over time,” said Baroni.
It also taps into a strong sense of regional pride. Over the years, Keys fans have watched with pride as Orioles stalwarts like Ben McDonald, Pete Harnisch, Dylan Bundy, Mychal Givens, Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Trey Mancini made it to the majors.
The Washington Nationals may have made some inroads, but there’s no denying Frederick is Orioles territory. The Keys’ affiliation with the Orioles lasted from 1989 to 2020, and the loss of that affiliation added insult to COVID injury. But Baroni wants fans to know that if he has his way, the partnership will continue indefinitely. “The new partnership is strong and should endure for many years to come. There is no end in sight!” said Baroni.
To help celebrate the returning partnership, the Keys are also refreshing their brand — though Baroni points out the refresh is only partially due to the Orioles connection. He says it is more about honoring the history of the Keys while positioning the club for the future.
“Part of the refresh is using the ‘Key City’ nickname that will show up on uniforms for selected games and in other fan experiences. It’s a great way to celebrate the community and create something that resonates locally.”
BARONI BASICS
Greg Baroni is the CEO and principal general partner of Attain Sports and Entertainment. Through his company, Baroni owns the Chesapeake Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Orioles; the Frederick Keys, the High-A affiliate of the Orioles; the Aberdeen IronBirds; and the Spire City Ghost Hounds, who have been on hiatus the last two years. He also owns the Loudoun United Football Club of the United Soccer League and partners with Evan McKnight Racing to round out his sports portfolio. He has other companies that operate in the education, healthcare, nonprofit and government sectors, but sports is a true love. “I’ve always enjoyed sports and the character it builds — sportsmanship, teamwork and community — and its impact on society.”
He doesn’t necessarily want to add more baseball teams to his portfolio, but if opportunities arise where a property is deeply connected to its community and he feels he can add value, he will take a close look.
Baroni grew up in Los Angeles and has been a lifelong Dodgers fan. However, he has now been a Maryland resident for nearly 40 years and has become passionate about the Orioles. “I have a great deal of respect for the new ownership group, Mike Elias and the club and farm system they are building. There’s a lot of excitement around the team right now and for good reason!”
Baroni gets to as many games as he can during the season. He likes being at the ballpark and spending time with fans, staff and players. He works closely with general manager Slater Fuchs and his leadership team, but makes it a point to get to know the coaches and players, too. “Spending time with them helps me stay connected to their player development needs and the on-field experience so we can better understand how to continuously improve ways to support them.”
With the Orioles looking like contenders again, the Keys back in the Orioles fold and a spiffy renovation enlivening our beloved ballpark, it’s hard to imagine things looking much better in the Key City — at least baseball-wise.
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.