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Local girl may get a chance to sing at Camden Yards Date published: 4/16/2008
BY JEFF BRANSCOME
During a winter fan festival four years ago, Samantha Ayers sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" on the field in a nearly empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards. No pressure. But Samantha, 10, now has a chance to belt out "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch of an Orioles home game against the Washington Nationals May 18. "Since I've sung at church, I won't be that nervous," said Samantha, a fifth-grader at Spotsylvania County's Battlefield Elementary and the daughter of John and Susan Ayers. "But a stadium with thousands of people compared to 50 people, that's a big step." On Friday, she learned that she is one of 10 finalists in a contest celebrating the song's 100th anniversary. The contestants will be invited on to the field during the May 18 game, and the winner will be announced, an Orioles spokeswoman said. The victor will sing the famous tune with help from the crowd. Videos of the finalists singing were posted on the Orioles' Web site Monday. People can vote for their favorites through Saturday. Before Samantha was born, John Ayers sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Memorial Stadium--the Orioles' old ballpark. "Many people have told me to go try it out again," said Ayers, a Baltimore native and music director of Riverside First Church of God in Fredericksburg. "Maybe down the road, but it's fun to let her do it. She can do it." Samantha has been singing at church since she was 5. On Sunday, she sang onstage with her mom, who's on the church's praise and worship team. Her "American Idol"-like journey began at an Orioles game last Sunday. Near a children's area with a moon bounce, she decided to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in front of a camera. She was handed a microphone and asked to say her name and hometown. Gripping the microphone with both hands, Samantha sang without missing a note. "I wasn't that nervous because at that time, I didn't know I was going to be on the Internet," she said. She didn't know she'd have the opportunity to follow in her father's footsteps. Or the chance to sing in a stadium without having to imagine a crowd. Less than a week later, she received a call. "I'm like, that's awesome, that's sweet, oh my gosh." Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
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