Attain Sports announced a major reorganization of its baseball portfolio on August 1, 2025, bringing significant changes to Maryland’s minor league landscape. Starting with the 2026 season, the Baltimore Orioles’ High-A affiliate will relocate to Frederick, reviving the Frederick Keys as a key part of the Orioles’ farm system.
Meanwhile, the MLB Draft League team will move to Aberdeen, where the Aberdeen IronBirds will compete in a six-team league showcasing draft-eligible talent. The Frederick Keys and IronBirds will retain their names and city identities, with only their leagues changing in this strategic realignment.
The Frederick Keys will return to affiliated baseball for the first time since 2020, when Major League Baseball’s minor league contraction ended their 31-year run as an Orioles affiliate. Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, the Frederick Keys’ home, will undergo a full renovation before the 2026 season, supported by a public-private partnership among the City of Frederick, the Maryland Stadium Authority, and Attain Sports.
Announced on August 30, 2024, and marked by a groundbreaking on May 14, 2025, the upgrades include new clubhouses, batting cages, bullpens, an expanded concourse, and additional seating. These improvements ensure compliance with MLB Professional Development Leagues standards while enhancing the experience for players and fans.
“We are thrilled that affiliated baseball is returning to Frederick,” said Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias. “The Frederick community and fans have always been strong supporters of the Orioles, and we look forward to building on a 30-year partnership with the Frederick Keys.”
Frederick’s baseball legacy, dating back to the Blue Ridge League’s founding in 1915, makes the Frederick Keys’ return a historic milestone. The team, once known as the Hustlers, Champs, and Warriors, won championships in 1915 and 1921. From 1989 to 2020, the Frederick Keys were a beloved Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Orioles, fostering community pride in Frederick, Maryland’s fourth-largest city with 86,000 residents.
In Aberdeen, the IronBirds will transition to the MLB Draft League, playing from June to early September at Ripken Stadium. This schedule mirrors their history as a Class-A Short Season team in the New York-Penn League from 2002 to 2020. The Draft League’s split-season format highlights draft-eligible players in the first half and professional players in the second, with 81 players, including 12 former Frederick Keys, selected in the 2025 MLB Draft.
“We are thrilled to continue hosting baseball at Ripken Stadium and deeply value the Aberdeen community and its loyal fans,” said Greg Baroni, Founder and CEO of Attain Sports. “This reorganization reflects our unwavering belief in the power of baseball to inspire, connect, and unite communities.”
Both stadiums will serve as year-round community hubs, hosting concerts, holiday events, and more. The Frederick Keys’ return and the IronBirds’ new chapter ensure Maryland’s baseball tradition thrives, offering affordable, family-friendly entertainment.
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