BALTIMORE -- When Marcus Moore tosses a ceremonial first pitch on Thursday night at Camden Yards, it’ll be the first time the 31-year-old Annapolis native has stepped onto the field. However, he’s already made an impact at the Orioles’ home ballpark over the past two years.
Moore, who has autism, is the founder of Moore Crunch Pretzels, a business he launched in October 2022. His snack products have appeared on shelves throughout Maryland, including at Camden Yards, which began to sell bags of Moore’s pretzels during the ‘23 season.
“It’s amazing. Just the fact that people get to enjoy the pretzels while watching sports, that’s amazing. And plus, the orange color. Can’t forget the orange color,” said Moore, referring to the packaging of his pretzels. “It’s like a match for it.”
Thursday is Autism Acceptance Night at Camden Yards, and Moore’s story made him the perfect person for the O’s to invite to the 6:35 p.m. ET contest vs. the Guardians. He has thrived since quitting his previous job at a grocery store to launch his own seasoned pretzel concept.
Moore’s pretzels come in various flavors: sour cream and onion, Maryland crab, buffalo, cinnamon sugar and garlic ranch. Many of them can be found throughout the Orioles’ ballpark.
Moore Crunch Pretzels are sold at the Birdland Markets at Sections 17 and 49 on the main concourse, at Sections 210 and 272 on the club level and at Section 334 in the upper deck.
When the opportunity for Moore’s pretzels to be sold at Camden Yards came about less than two years ago, his family was thrilled.
“We were just like, ‘This is the coolest, coolest thing,’” said Kathy Watson, Moore’s mother. “You get hyped up about that. But also, just the embracing that has gone on for Marcus and his business through the fans, we love it, because some of his regular customers were also Orioles fans. So when I get a message like, ‘Yo, his pretzels are right here,’ that is really, really cool.”
For Moore, the business isn’t solely about the product. It’s also a beneficial way for him to get out into the community and meet the people who enjoy his pretzels.
“It helps me engage with a lot of people,” Moore said. “It’s more than the pretzels. It helps my confidence and stuff, getting the story out. What keeps people coming back, they love the story and how I do things, but they love the pretzels. I’m just amazed. It’s been helping my confidence, going out there and meeting a lot of people. It’s just great. Really great. It really is.”
In addition to being sold at Camden Yards, Moore Crunch Pretzels can be found at various locations, including several Geresbeck’s Food Market branches, the National Aquarium in Baltimore and more. They can also be ordered at MooreCrunch.com.
Moore will again have a chance to see Orioles fans snacking on his product firsthand on Thursday after previously attending the team’s Autism Acceptance Night last April. But this time, he’ll first walk onto the field and throw his ceremonial pitch.
It’s an opportunity that likely wouldn’t have been possible without Moore’s hard work and dedication to the craft he has developed a passion for in recent years.
“Oh, I’m looking forward to it; it’s going to be great. My first time doing this, very first time, and I just can’t wait,” Moore said. “I’m just so grateful. I’m excited.”
On Thursday, the Orioles are inviting organizations focused on autism awareness, acceptance and advocacy to the game. Tickets have been donated to groups including the Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake, Itineris Baltimore, Pathfinders for Autism and Bitty & Beau’s Coffee.
Each of those organizations will be represented at a table in the bullpen picnic area.
“That is so cool, and I’m so excited that they’re acknowledging people like Marcus and his community, too, and including them in part of the conversation, not just talking about it,” Watson said. “They’re also doing things about it, too.”