Even major leaguers attend Atlantic League games.

“Yea, I’ve definitely been to some,” Former Baltimore Orioles outfielder Val Majewski said. “The ones I’ve been to were mostly in Newark and Somerset; it was fun.”

Majewski may be attending a lot more games this season, this time as a player.  The New Brunswick native is in camp with the Newark Bears this spring, hoping to win a spot on the club’s roster.

“I don’t really know too much about their plans for me, but I’m looking forward to getting out there and play,” Majewski said on the phone Monday.

The former Rutgers University standout was a third-round pick of the Orioles in 2002.  Two years later he was the organization’s “Minor League Player of the Year” and on the fast track to the big leagues.

Baltimore didn’t have many centerfield options, mostly using Luis Matos in the spot.  So the Orioles called him up that year and he batted .154 with two hits, three runs scored and an RBI in nine games.

Just as quick as he could begin prefacing his name with the title “Major League outfielder,” the label was taken away.  Majewski suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder and missed the entire 2005 season.

The next two seasons, Majewski, one of the Birds top prospects throughout his six-year career, split time between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Ottawa, never again getting the call.

This spring the Orioles cut their ties with him, sending the 25-year-old home at the end of camp.

“It had nothing to do with my injury because I feel great,” he said. “There just wasn’t any room for me and so they had to let me go.”

Majewski returned to New Jersey and began contacting several Atlantic League teams, including the Patriots.  But, his choice was to play for the Bears.

“I knew a lot of guys who played for them,” he said, naming Tim Sweeney and Bobby Brownlie. “They were successful there so I figured it would give me a good shot at getting back to an organization.”

Despite the added miles to his commute to play in Newark, Majewski is looking forward to getting out there to play.  This season, he has no plans of sitting in the stands to watch.  Instead, you’ll be watching him.