A's FanFest Newbie

by Durden on Jan 16, 2006 9:34 AM PST

I'm planning on taking my two young sons to the upcoming FanFest for a, hopefully, wonderful baseball experience. I'm a dedicated A's fan and I'm bringing my two boys along nicely; the 9 yr. old is a Chavez fan and the 6 yr. old is a Kotsay fan. Amazingly, I have never been to a FanFest and am not sure what to expect, so I'm reaching out to the Athletics Nation for help. Could you fill me in on your experiences? Help me know things like, what's the best way to make sure my sons get to meet players? When's the best time to go? etc. Anything that this nation of A's fans can offer me will be appreciated.

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Get there EARLY

That may be hard to accomplish with two little ones, but I'd recommend that. FanFest starts at 10, but the lines for autograph sessions (2 players for $10, I believe) will start much earlier than that.

Players are also just walking around, and you can catch them for autographs and stuff there. Like last year, I got Kendall, Duke, Charles Thomas, Melhuse, Ellis, Swisher and a couple others just floating around the Coliseum. Chavvy and Kotsay may be hard to spot walking around, but if you get there early enough, you can buy tix to their autograph session.

I also HIGHLY recommend the clubhouse tour, which is I think just $5. You get to walk around the clubhouse and see the weight room and other A's facilities buried inside the Coliseum

There are also Q&A sessions with the players and coaches. You can't get autographs there, but fans can ask the players and coaches anything. I'd recommend getting there for the Barry Zito Q&A session, he's pretty entertaining.

They also have photo sessions with players, but I haven't done that yet.

The field should be open this year (it wasn't last year), and they'll have a bunch of fun things for kids to do.

Some FF photos:
Byrnsie during a Q&A session
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Z's locker
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

My little bro with Dan Meyer and Charles Thomas
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Swisher signing my baseball
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

"Try getting drunk 4 nights a week and going out to pitch 9 innings. That's an athlete to me." - David Cone

by JLaff on Jan 16, 2006 10:50 AM PST reply actions

Swish...

...I know what he's thinking while signing that ball: "I hate smudges! Ahhhhhh!!!!! Stupid left hand!"

I feel your pain, Swisher.

By the way, I've never been to a fanfest, but being able to watch last year's Q&A sessions on the official A's site was very cool. I hope they do that again this year.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Jan 16, 2006 12:27 PM PST up reply actions

I remember what was happening during that Pic

Byrnes was calling out Hatteberg as "The Dad!"

Knowledge is Power, Ignorance is Bliss. But I have Blissful Power, because I have a lot of knowledge, I just forgot it all!

by Zonis on Jan 16, 2006 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

Actually

I think he was making fun of Swish for being a goof. I swear, I thought he was going to start taking his clothes off! (oh wait, maybe I was just hoping that!) <blushes>

I do remember someone asking Kotsay who he would trust most to babysit his new baby and he said Hatteberg cause he was like the dad on the team.

"If you know Nick, having someone to talk to is a prerequisite for his sanity." ~Billy Beane on Swisher playing 1st Base.

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 16, 2006 1:04 PM PST up reply actions

Yup

He was describing Swisher's visit to Sacramento and saying Swish was making like he was the Pope receiving the faithful. I think Byrnes got on the table after that, when he said Swish then hit the local bar scene and announced something like, "Your hero is back!"

by gawker on Jan 16, 2006 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

I <3 Swisher!

"If you know Nick, having someone to talk to is a prerequisite for his sanity." ~Billy Beane on Swisher playing 1st Base.

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 16, 2006 1:41 PM PST up reply actions

"I feel you pain, SWISHER"?

It's Jlaff's ball! Swish is smudging some other autograph on his ball!

by OaktownTribesman on Jan 16, 2006 9:00 PM PST up reply actions

Hey jlaff,

your little bro is cute, but everyone in that picture for Hudson is still a bad trade. :-}

by Nico on Jan 16, 2006 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

Some more Fan Fest picture goodness

Ok, I know this may be harder than it sounds, with two small children, but I want you to try! Just try and take as much in as you can. It moves so fast that when it is over you look back and wish you had spent a little more time in one section or another, or taken more of the Q&As in. Or just walked through the door more calmly, cause there really is SO much to see and do, that you may get overwhelmed. So just be prepared to take it slow. And appreciate every minute.

Fan Fest really is a great gift.

Here are some of my pics from last year.

Oh, So Cute!

Look! More Cute!

The Q&A!

"If you know Nick, having someone to talk to is a prerequisite for his sanity." ~Billy Beane on Swisher playing 1st Base.

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 16, 2006 1:19 PM PST reply actions

Two free tickets

I have two free passes. I'd be happy to mail them to the first person to email me.

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on Jan 16, 2006 1:59 PM PST reply actions

OMG ME

I totally have to e-mail you now!! I need to get season tickets but I can't afford them right now, I have to wait another two weeks :( But season ticket holders = free fan fest tickets.

"I was the ugliest girl I've ever seen." - Noah Lowry

by Melody on Jan 16, 2006 2:01 PM PST up reply actions

they are yours

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on Jan 16, 2006 2:04 PM PST up reply actions

YAAAAAAAY THANK YOU!!

Talk about being at the right place at the right time!! ;)

"I was the ugliest girl I've ever seen." - Noah Lowry

by Melody on Jan 16, 2006 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

Kids' Club?

I think there were autograph sessions at last year's Fan Fest especially for Kids' Club members (maybe someone who actually has a kid in Kids' Club can verify this)? You might be able to sign up at Fan Fest -- it doesn't look like 2006 signups are online yet... http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/oak/community/kids_programs.jsp

"You don't look up truthiness in a book, you look it up in your gut." ~ Stephen Colbert

by Poppy on Jan 16, 2006 2:22 PM PST reply actions

In years past

When you get your renewal form, you get tickets to fan fest. With your fan fest/kids club sign up you then get a coupon for an autograph only good at fan fest!

while I'm GM, I'd get the black uniform tops back into the mix, make high socks mandatory and add a beer tap in the press box-Mychael Urban

by jb on Jan 16, 2006 2:42 PM PST up reply actions

hahaha woooooooooo

i just opened my renewal form after your comment and VOILA!!! 4 tix to fanfest and a parking pass. you just made my dad jb thank you!!!!

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jan 16, 2006 4:03 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for the report

GNGG you have 4 tix and a parking pass so far.....

I will mail as soon as they arrive.

while I'm GM, I'd get the black uniform tops back into the mix, make high socks mandatory and add a beer tap in the press box-Mychael Urban

by jb on Jan 16, 2006 4:54 PM PST up reply actions

Highly reccomend

I highly reccomend the Q&A sessions, they were a lot of fun and very informitive. Not to mention getting excited about the new offseason additions, they seem to like to feature a lot of the new players, and of course the fan favorites. Highlights include Curt Young telling us that he was a "Vanilla man," Crosby telling us "I don't really read much." But that seems to be one of the less fluff, meat and bones, that will get you incredibly excited for the upcoming season.

VIVA FAN FEST!

Being an A's fan is never easy, but that's why we love it.

by Jordan33 in Santa Cruz on Jan 16, 2006 7:16 PM PST reply actions

Don't forget to look for GNGG.

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jan 16, 2006 8:06 PM PST reply actions

GNGG

will be the one permanently affixed to Barry Zito

"Try getting drunk 4 nights a week and going out to pitch 9 innings. That's an athlete to me." - David Cone

by JLaff on Jan 16, 2006 8:09 PM PST up reply actions

SHHHHHHH

He's supposed to look for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jan 16, 2006 8:10 PM PST up reply actions

^^^^that^^^^

is VERY important.

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jan 16, 2006 8:10 PM PST up reply actions

I also have two free tix for fan fest

If you want them, respond to this comment. I'll mail them to the first who asks for them.

by Brian in 317 on Jan 17, 2006 6:38 AM PST reply actions

Ack!

Foolish me, I already bought my ticket... :(

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jan 17, 2006 12:00 PM PST up reply actions

Fan Fest with Kids

Just being on the field is very cool for my kids - bring your camera and have them bring mitts if you want to take pics of them pretending to catch fly balls along the outfield wall, which can be very cute. Stomper's also usually stomping around.

There's lots of games and running around to be done on the field. AND, they broadcast the Q&A sessions on the Diamond Vision, so you can also sit in the stands and watch them (or from the field).

For me, personally, the stress of trying to stand in line with 2 little kids for autographs in a big crowd is totally not worth it, and my kids would not sit for the Q&A sessions. It's more fun just to run around and get excited about baseball here in the off-season.

We missed it last year, which sounds like a good thing since the field was evidentally closed.

Whatever works for you and your kids - have fun!

by lurkerD on Jan 17, 2006 10:26 AM PST reply actions