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Carroll County girl sends letter to Orioles owner with special request
Updated: 2:53 PM EDT Mar 31, 2025
It’s no secret that 10-year-old Addison Haslacker loves the Baltimore Orioles.People can tell by the autographed Austin Hays ball she keeps in a small, clear box, as well as the family photos at games spanning the last decade. It’s the simple touches, like her O’s bracelets and earrings, and the way she talks about the game experience. “I enjoy seeing all of the home-run balls going out, clapping when our team is up to bat,” Addison told 11 News.She also enjoys cheering on players like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, two of her favorites.But there’s one person Addison would like to see added to the O’s roster: A girl mascot. Addison first thought of the idea over the summer as her family visited other MLB stadiums across the country. When they visited Fenway Park in Boston, Addison noticed the Red Sox have a female mascot, so the wheels in her head started turning.”I said, ‘Dad, why don’t we have two mascots, a boy and a girl?’ And, he said, ‘That’s a good question. How about you write a letter to Mr. Rubenstein, the owner of the Orioles?'” Addison said. She took her dad’s advice and wrote a letter to David Rubenstein outlining three reasons why she believes the team should add a female mascot. “It can pay tribute to Janet Marie Smith, who was the architect of the stadium, so that’s one of my reasons,” Addison told 11 News. “It can help with fan engagement and fan outreach, and it can inspire more girls to play softball and watch baseball.” She addressed her letter, sealed it and dropped it in the mailbox. Addison is already envisioning the new female mascot, who she said the team can introduce during “Orange Out Saturdays.””It would be all-orange with very little black, fake eyelashes, a white bow and, like, an orange skirt with the Oriole bird on the side,” Addison told 11 News.If the team makes her vision of a female mascot a reality, Addison said it’s sure to make her smile and give her one more reason to love the O’s.”It would make me happy that I was the one who started it and that my whole family was encouraging to do it with me,” Addison told 11 News.Addison also presented her idea at Carroll County 4-H in February, and she received a blue ribbon for her speech. She plays softball and said she wants to be a sportscaster, like Melanie Newman, when she grows up.Rubenstein hadn’t responded to Addison’s letter as of Monday.
It’s no secret that 10-year-old Addison Haslacker loves the Baltimore Orioles.
People can tell by the autographed Austin Hays ball she keeps in a small, clear box, as well as the family photos at games spanning the last decade. It’s the simple touches, like her O’s bracelets and earrings, and the way she talks about the game experience.
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“I enjoy seeing all of the home-run balls going out, clapping when our team is up to bat,” Addison told 11 News.
She also enjoys cheering on players like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, two of her favorites.
But there’s one person Addison would like to see added to the O’s roster: A girl mascot.
Addison first thought of the idea over the summer as her family visited other MLB stadiums across the country. When they visited Fenway Park in Boston, Addison noticed the Red Sox have a female mascot, so the wheels in her head started turning.
“I said, ‘Dad, why don’t we have two mascots, a boy and a girl?’ And, he said, ‘That’s a good question. How about you write a letter to Mr. Rubenstein, the owner of the Orioles?'” Addison said.
She took her dad’s advice and wrote a letter to David Rubenstein outlining three reasons why she believes the team should add a female mascot.
“It can pay tribute to Janet Marie Smith, who was the architect of the stadium, so that’s one of my reasons,” Addison told 11 News. “It can help with fan engagement and fan outreach, and it can inspire more girls to play softball and watch baseball.”
She addressed her letter, sealed it and dropped it in the mailbox. Addison is already envisioning the new female mascot, who she said the team can introduce during “Orange Out Saturdays.”
“It would be all-orange with very little black, fake eyelashes, a white bow and, like, an orange skirt with the Oriole bird on the side,” Addison told 11 News.
If the team makes her vision of a female mascot a reality, Addison said it’s sure to make her smile and give her one more reason to love the O’s.
“It would make me happy that I was the one who started it and that my whole family was encouraging to do it with me,” Addison told 11 News.
Addison also presented her idea at Carroll County 4-H in February, and she received a blue ribbon for her speech. She plays softball and said she wants to be a sportscaster, like Melanie Newman, when she grows up.
Rubenstein hadn’t responded to Addison’s letter as of Monday.
