Don't look now, but Spring Training is just over a month away. To get people back in the baseball-loving frame of mind, the Rangers do a few things to spark fan and team relations.
The most obvious event is the Fan Fest, which will be a two day event this year, January 22-23. Here's the details, which I copied straight from Richard Durrett's Rangers Blog on espndallas.com:
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The Rangers announced some interesting plans for the 2011 Fan Fest, which is a two-day event for the first time since 2001. It will be held Jan. 22-23 at the Arlington Convention Center and tickets are available online at texasrangers.com.
Some details (according to the club release):
Batting Cage: Life size batting cage with top of the line-pitching machine will pitch safety balls to fans.
Speed Pitch: Fans will get the opportunity to stand on a mound and test their arms.
Home Run Derby Field: Fans can hit one “out of the park”…literally. This mini Rangers Ballpark will provide fun and entertainment for all ages.
Locker Room/ American League Trophy display: This great photo opportunity will allow fans to feel they are in the real Rangers clubhouse and have their pictures taken with the 2010 American League Trophy.
Ground Ball / Fly Ball catch: Fans will be able to test their skills against a pop-fly or ground ball in this area.
Team Photo Opportunity: Fans will be able to have their picture taken with the 2010 team! Fan Fest will feature a life-size team photo cut out.
Lil Sluggers: This interactive will be for the young Rangers fans (8 and under). It will be decorated with MLB Mascots – kids can step up and hit the whiffle balls off a tee.
Event Stage: The Event Stage will be a highlight of the event. Fans will be treated to Q&A sessions with current and former players as well as special interest topics about the Texas Rangers. The stage will also have a dance contest, giveaways, and much more throughout the weekend!
Steal Home Challenge: Fans can race against the clock from third base to home plate and compare their speed with their favorite Rangers.
Autograph Stages will be located in the main Exhibit Hall. Autographs signings will be posted approximately two hours in advance of each session and will include numerous current and former Rangers. Attendees will be announced as they are confirmed.
Photo Stage: Throughout the event, fans will be able to get their photos taken with their favorite Rangers personalities.
Other special exhibits to be featured at the Texas Rangers 2011 Fan Fest will include:
* History of U.S. Presidential Ceremonial First Pitches
* Rangers Minor League Exhibit
* Timeline of Major League Baseball Display
* Timeline of the Texas Rangers Display
* Women in Baseball Exhibit
* Negro Leagues Exhibit
* Latin American Baseball Exhibit
* Evolution of Equipment
The hours of Texas Rangers Fan Fest 2011 will be 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission will be $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 13 and under for a one-day pass and $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for children 13 and under for a two-day pass. Rangers season ticket holders will be admitted for just $10.00 for a one-day pass and $15.00 for a two-day pass.
For more information and tickets, please call 972-RANGERS or visit texasrangers.com.
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Ok, back to me again. I realize that a lot of you that follow my blog are not in the immediate DFW area, so you'll be happy to know that the team reaches out to fans all across the state this time of year as well. Check out the Rangers Winter Caravan tour: (I also copied this straight from Richard Durrett on the espndallas.com Rangers Blog. Thanks!)
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The Rangers Winter Caravan has become a neat way to get autographs, hear from Rangers' personnel and get in a baseball mood before spring training. Here's the complete schedule of Rangers appearances at Academy Sports and Outdoors locations (all are open free of charge to the public; schedule of participants is subject to change; number of autographs to be signed may be limited depending on location):
Friday, January 7: Town Hall/Autograph Session, 5836 North Tarrant Parkway, Fort Worth, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Tommy Hunter, David Murphy, Jackie Moore, Jim Sundberg, Dave Barnett
Tuesday, January 11: Autograph Session, 445 Forest Square St., Longview, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve
Wednesday, January 12: Town Hall/Autograph Session, 6101 I-20 (at Bryant Irvin Road), Fort Worth, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Thad Levine, Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Jim Sundberg, Tom Grieve
Thursday, January 13: Autograph Session, 5802 19th St. (at West Loop 289), Lubbock, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve
Friday, January 14: Autograph Session, 3950 John Knox Drive (at Cedar Run Road), Abilene, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve
Tuesday, January 18: Autograph Session, 1101 Walton Drive, Texarkana, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Michael Kirkman, Thad Bosley, Dave Barnett, others TBA
Wednesday, January 19: Town Hall/Autograph Session, 3677 Emporium, Mesquite, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Chuck Greenberg, Thad Levine, Michael Kirkman, Thad Bosley, Jim Sundberg, others TBA
Thursday, January 20: Town Hall/Autograph Session, 1101 West Arbrook Blvd., Arlington, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Colby Lewis, Matt Treanor, Michael Kirkman, Mike Maddux, Jim Sundberg, Tom Grieve
Tuesday, January 25: Autograph Session, 15350 IH-35 North (at Olympia Parkway), Selma (San Antonio area), 6:30-7:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Tommy Hunter, Andy Hawkins, Eric Nadel, others TBA
Wednesday, January 26: Autograph Session, 5400 Brodie Lane, Sunset Valley (Austin area), 5:30-6:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Ron Washington, Tommy Hunter, Andy Hawkins, Eric Nadel
Thursday, January 27: Autograph Session, 210 North New Road, Waco, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Tommy Hunter, Ian Kinsler, Darren Oliver Andy Hawkins, Eric Nadel
Friday, January 28: Autograph Session, 3201 Lawrence Road, Wichita Falls, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Tommy Hunter, others TBA
Wednesday, February 2: Town Hall/Autograph Session, 12700 South Freeway, Fort Worth, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Chuck Greenberg, Jon Daniels, Tommy Hunter, Darren Oliver, Jackie Moore, Jim Sundberg, Tom Grieve
Thursday, February 3: Town Hall/Autograph Session, 1220 West University, McKinney, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Chuck Greenberg, Ian Kinsler, David Murphy, Jackie Moore, Jim Sundberg, Eric Nadel
Other public appearances will include:
Tuesday, January 11: Autograph Session at Super 1, 3828 Troup Hiway, Tyler, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve
Saturday, January 15: Autograph Session/Open House with Frisco RoughRiders, Dr Pepper Ballpark, Frisco, 1:30-3:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Chuck Greenberg, Derek Holland, Tommy Hunter, Mitch Moreland, David Murphy, Dave Anderson, Steve Buechele
Saturday, January 22: Autograph Session at Brookshire’s, 511 North Stewart St., Azle, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland and Darren O’Day
In addition, the Rangers Winter Caravan will make stops at the team’s new Triple-A minor league affiliate in Round Rock, at the College Baseball Hall of Fame Luncheon in Lubbock, at Fort Hood in Killeen, at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, and at a number of elementary and high schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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I will say that if you ARE in the DFW area, it's easier to get autographs at the Academy events than it is at the Fan Fest, and it's free that way, you just miss out on some of the top players who might be at the Fan Fest. Fan Fest autograph lines are huge, take forever, and sometimes you have to choose between a couple of your favorite players who might be signing at the same time. It's a full day and can be rewarding if you have the patience. I'm planning on going to at least part of Fan Fest and one or two of the Winter Caravan stops in the Ft. Worth/Arlington area. If you see me, say hi!
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