All-Star Fan Fest

[EurekaDave]

That's really sad about the Fanfest and the bats. Those MLB control-freak SOB's!!! I'll bet the house that the players would have no problem signing such stuff.

It happened to me once with Dave Winfield. His handlers were jerks. He was great.

Sorry you have to go through that. Tough to explain this to a kid, too. I had to do the same thing with my grand-son. What's the matter with these blowfish?

Dave Silverbrand

[jppopma]

I have fanfest tix for Sunday and doubt that I will use all four. Maybe have two extras if anyone is in need.

[godwulf]

At one point yesterday, I told someone that I was standing in line next to, "There are two ways of doing these things - get autographs, or relax and enjoy yourself."

Well, as usual, just like I do every year at the Diamondbacks Fan Fest, I went the first route. Spent from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. standing in one line or another. Tough on old, out-of-shape legs and bad hips. But I got baseballs signed by six former DBacks - Greg Swindell, Kelly Stinnett, Jay Bell, Reggie Sanders, Mike Fetters and Damion Easley. I had most of those guys on a ball already, but I'll make my sister a gift of these.

Also met five of the original AAGPBL players - those elderly ladies are some kind of sharp. And nice, as well. Seemed to love to talk with people. One of them asked me if I'd ever been out to one of their games; I said, "I was born in 1954", and she said, "Oh, that's when we stopped playing." There were also a couple of players from the Team U.S.A. women's baseball (not softball) team, which I'll have to admit I did not know existed.

The HOF Museum display was kind of small-ish, but there were some nice items. There was a separate display elsewhere of historic Diamondbacks stuff, like the bat and ball from Gonzo's WS-winning hit in '01. Some good educational displays on the Negro Leagues and women in Baseball.

After the autograph lines, I spent another three hours just wandering around pretty aimlessly, shopping, picking up weird freebies here and there, occasionally refreshing myself with a free sample from the Pepsi Max booth (that stuff is highly addictive - I think they put heroin in it.)

Talked to a young fellow - I didn't catch his name - with Louisville Slugger, and of course he knew Brian. Said he'd seen BMH at the office a few days ago, and seemed to be doing well.

At one point, I was in line ahead of some clown on a cellphone, telling someone, "Yeah, this place is really small, and there's nobody here. Not like New York!" He went on and on, criticizing everything about the event, and comparing it to "New York". At which point, I began to understand the ban on bats a little more.

Going back today, but only three autos to get, so I plan to spend a lot more time reading and studying the displays, and maybe doing a little more shopping.

[godwulf]

Well, I didn't stand in line for 6 1/2 hours today, like yesterday. I stood in line for about 9 1/2 hours, instead. My mistake was in getting into the "hourly free pin" line first thing, and then it became like a competition to see if I could make it back at the top of each hour in time to collect all 7 pins. (I got 6.) I don't know why I did it - I'm not really even a pin collector. Call it temporary Fan Fest madness, I guess.

I also stood in lines for David Dellucci, Steve Finley (an hour-and-a-half just for that one) and the last AAGPBL signature I needed. Stood in line for a free All-Star golf towel. Stood in line for a free taco. I was like some housewife in the old Soviet Union - just getting into any line 'cause whatever was at the other end was something you didn't have. My legs, back and feet are just gone at this point. I'm now going to sleep very soundly for at least 12 hours. And no doubt dream about standing in line.

[ironmanfan]

If anyone is going to The Futures Game and can get me a program, I would appreciate it (PM me if you can; I'll certainly reimburse you).

Thanks

Bill

[OaklandAsFan]

I'll pick you up one.

[OaklandAsFan]

is there a separate program for the futures game than the all star game? I already have an extra program for the all star game I could send ya, I'll look for it tomorrow when I get to the stadium

I can't believe it's here finally. I am super excited for the next 3 days!!!!

[godwulf]

By the way, has there been a thread on "Game-Used All-Star" stuff, and I just missed it?

I've got three or four items, myself, but I have to haul them out and photograph them before I can post.

[OaklandAsFan]

don't think I have ever seen a game used all star thread. You should start one

You have the celeb softball Sarah Silverman jersey don't you?

[godwulf]

don't think I have ever seen a game used all star thread. You should start one

You have the celeb softball Sarah Silverman jersey don't you?

Yes, I do. Somewhere around here...