Donning an orange shirt while waving an orange flag above an orange carpet, Zhi Loman helped signal the unofficial start of spring for more than 46,000 people.

The 10-year-old was one of 80 Fort Meade children who created a sea of orange in the outfield of Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the Baltimore Orioles were welcomed onto the field for the first game of 2014.

Before a nearly sold-out crowd on Monday afternoon, the youngsters helped the Orioles kick off the team's 60th season on Opening Day.

"It was really fun, exciting and I was a little scared too," Zhi said of being on the field for the opening ceremony.

The youngsters -- children of Fort Meade service members and employees -- arrived before game time at 3 p.m. to spend the day with the Orioles organization. That ranged from participating in the opening ceremony to watching the game with their families.

"I got to meet their mascot, and their mascot gave me a big kiss and gave me a big high-five before we went onto the field to wave the flags," Zhi said.

During the ceremony, which was in honor of the late author and Orioles' investor Tom Clancy, the children held bright orange Orioles flags as the players ran past them and into the infield for the National Anthem.

Nolan Wilson, who has played catcher for the Fort Meade Cougars for the past two years, was excited to see his "hero" baseball players up close and stand on a Major League Baseball field.

"It felt great," the 8-year-old said.

Nolan's father, Eric Wilson, said his family enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the Orioles' Opening Day.

"It was awesome, it was exciting," Wilson said. "The kids had a blast. ... There's been nothing but smiles all day."