They were there to be honored by the Orioles for their play this season. Also honored was Brian Matusz, who began the season with the Keys and was part of the Orioles rotation late this year.

Waring won the Brooks Robinson Award as the most outstanding position player in the minors; Matusz the Jim Palmer Prize as the best minor league pitcher, Joseph the Elrod Hendricks Community Service Award and Britton the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year Award.

It was the first time three members of the Keys won all three of the organization's minor league awards in one season.

They were honored before a sparse crowd prior to the Orioles' game with Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Probably the most surprised was Waring, who didn't know what to expect this season after being traded to Baltimore from Cincinnati in the Ramon Hernandez deal.

"I was a little bit nervous when the trade was made because of the unexpected," said Waring as he and the others stood on the field and watched batting practice. "You don't know what is going to happen."

But Waring, who played first and third for the Keys, said he had a good spring and then went to Frederick , where he hit .273 with 26 home runs, second most in Keys history, and led the Carolina League with 90 RBIs.

Waring started slowly, hitting just two home runs in April. But he was hot at the end with nine home runs in August before being promoted to Bowie for the last week of the season.

"I kept wondering where the home runs were," he said of his slow start. "But I knew they were going to come."

Matusz, who was 4-2 with a 2.16 ERA before being promoted to Bowie in midseason, said the award was unexpected despite his success.

"I was a little bit surprised only because of the time I spent up here," said Matusz, who went 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA in eight starts with the Orioles. He was shut down after his start last week because the team didn't want him to get a tired arm.

Joseph, a catcher who hit .284 for the Keys, worked about 30 to 40 hours in the community this year.

"My parents always talked to me about giving back," he said.

He worked at camps and elementary schools. He especially remembers one outreach program where he worked with 50 to 60 kids for about an hour and a half.

"At first they just needed someone," he said of volunteering his time. "Then they would get specific calls for me from certain places. That's when you really feel good, when you get requested."

"It's nice to be honored for anything," said Britton, who was 9-6 with a 2.70 ERA in Frederick . "I've been down here before, but this is the most exciting."

Orioles manager Dave Trembley has followed the players a little this year and was asked about them before the game.

"I met Caleb earlier this year and he had a solid year and has a good makeup," Trembley said. "He put himself on the radar as a prospect."

He said Waring had "light-tower power", but needed to work on the strike zone.

"I think power is a needed ingredient in the American League East," Trembley said. He sees Waring, Josh Bell of Bowie, and Brandon Snyder of Bowie and Norfolk battling for a corner spot.

"It's nice to have some competition, there will be some competition," he said.

He said Britton has good sink on his pitch and "is a guy that will pitch here for the Orioles."

On Wednesday, Britton and the others weren't playing. The season is over for them. They were just at Camden Yards to be recognized.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for Monday. School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.