Royals FanFest 2009

[KC Royals Nation]

Consider this thread an open discussion for everything FanFest 2009-oriented. The event takes place on Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas. According to the official site:

The second annual event, which will be expanded for 2009 and feature 25,000 square feet of additional space, is a two-day fan extravaganza highlighted by players appearances, interactive games for fans of all ages, main stage events, updates on the renovated Kauffman Stadium and much more! All ticket proceeds will benefit Royals Charities.

For more details on the players who will be present at the event, here is the official page.

I attended FanFest last year, and snapped several dozen photos, which I posted on a number of websites, including this one. I plan on attending again, and taking photographs.

FanFest has its positives and negatives. It is more or less an event organized strictly "for the kids" (as pop-punk stars Blink 182 used to say). It's a formidable marketing tool for the organization, and a great way to spread the gospel that the Royals (heh) are still relevant to casual fans and families with young children (sometimes, these overlap). Parking and lines are an absolute hassle, but the intentions of the event itself are excellent. There are some frustrations with the bit (the crowds), but overall it's RN-recommended. Definitely attend this event!

I'll soon post pictures of my experience.

[KC Royals Nation]

I'll also be attending the banquet on Friday. Downtown Kansas City. Pictures are promised.

[ror1fan]

Maybe I'll make it next year

[KC Royals Nation]

kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090113&content_id=3742483&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

Newcomers in spotlight for FanFest
Bloomquist, Crisp, Farnsworth and Jacobs to attend event
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com

KANSAS CITY -- If it's new faces that Kansas City fans want to see, they'll have a chance at this weekend's Royals FanFest.

Four prominent newcomers -- center fielder Coco Crisp, first baseman Mike Jacobs, second baseman Willie Bloomquist and relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth -- are scheduled to appear at the two-day event. Farnsworth will attend only on Saturday.

A total of 26 players are coming in for the FanFest but not right fielder Jose Guillen, who caused a stir at last year's event by telling general manager Dayton Moore he didn't want to play left field as the Royals planned. Moore said that Guillen is concentrating on getting ready for Spring Training and for the World Baseball Classic in which he's to represent the Dominican Republic.

The doors at the Overland Park Convention Center will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT on Sunday. One-day passes cost $12 for adults and $6 for children aged 6 to 17 in advance or $14 and $7 at the door. Children under 6 will have free admission.

This year, two-day passes also are on sale at $18 for adults and $9 for kids. All tickets can be purchased at royals.com.

There will be exclusive sessions for season-ticket holders from 9:30 to 11 a.m. CT each day.

The FanFest will feature interactive games, autograph signings, kids clinics, auctions and main stage events. Last year's event was such a big draw that the area is being expanded by 25,000 square feet to nearly 85,000 square feet.

Among players attending will be the team's big three award winners -- Mike Aviles, top player; Joakim Soria, top pitcher, and Zack Greinke, special achievement.

Other players expected are John Bale, Brian Bannister, John Buck, Billy Butler, Shane Costa, Kyle Davies, David DeJesus, Brandon Duckworth, Esteban German, Alex Gordon, Luke Hochevar, Kila Ka'aihue, Devon Lowery, Ron Mahay, Gil Meche, Neal Musser, Miguel Olivo, Ryan Shealy and Mark Teahen. Teahen and Bale will appear only on Saturday.

Newly-signed pitchers Doug Waechter and Horacio Ramirez had other commitments.

Also scheduled to be on hand: manager Trey Hillman and coaches John Gibbons, Rusty Kuntz, Dave Owen, Eddie Rodriguez and Kevin Seitzer.

Seitzer will be joined by other Royals alumni including Jim Eisenreich, Dennis Leonard, Mike Macfarlane, John Mayberry, Brian McRae, Jeff Montgomery, Greg Pryor, Jamie Quirk, Joe Randa, John Wathan, Frank White and Willie Wilson. Hall of Famer George Brett will be absent; he's being honored this weekend at a Los Angeles event.

[KC Royals Nation]

kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090115&content_id=3745348&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

Royals set Main Stage events for FanFest
Tickets for FanFest and 2009 Royals Awards Night still available for purchase

KANSAS CITY, MO - The Kansas City Royals announce the schedule of Sprint Main Stage events for the 2009 Royals FanFest presented by Sprint and Teva Neuroscience. The popular two-day fan extravaganza is set for Saturday, Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan.

The programming set on the Sprint Main Stage for both days of the event includes:

SATURDAY ON THE SPRINT MAIN STAGE

11:45 a.m.: "New to the Blue" with the newest Royals Players
12:50 p.m.:: "Getting to the Roots" with Head Groundskeeper Trevor Vance
1:20 p.m.: "Hangin' with Hillman" with Manager Trey Hillman
2:35 p.m.: "Around The Horn" with the Royals Infielders
3:35 p.m.: "Behind the Mic" with the Royals Broadcasters
4:50 p.m.: "Covering Ground" with the Royals Outfielders
5:50 p.m.: Renovating "The K" with representatives from the Royals and HOK

SUNDAY ON THE SPRINT MAIN STAGE

11:50 a.m.: "Call from the Dugout" with the Royals Coaching Staff
12:30 p.m.: "Throwing Curves" with the Royals Pitchers
2 p.m.: Kids ONLY Press Conference with select Royals Players
3 p.m.: "Behind the Scenes" with Royals GM Dayton Moore
4:20 p.m.: Roundtable with Royals Greats with Denny Matthews and Royals Alumni

Fans may purchase tickets to the 2009 Royals FanFest online at royals.com or by calling [phone]. Two-day passes are $18 for adults and $9 for children ages 6-17, while advance single-day tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids ages 6-17. Fans ages five and under will be admitted free. Tickets will also be available at the Overland Park Convention Center on the days of the FanFest event. Ticket prices at the door are $14 for adults and $7 for kids ages 6-17. Ticket proceeds will benefit Royals Charities. For more information, fans may visit royals.com/fanfest.

2009 ROYALS AWARDS NIGHT

A limited number of tickets are still available for purchase to the 2009 Royals Awards Night by calling [phone] through noon on Friday, Jan. 16. The Friday evening event begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and awards presentation at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel in Overland Park, Kan. The Royals will recognize 13 honorees for their contributions both on and off the field in 2008. Tickets are $75 or fans may purchase a table of 10 for $750.

[KC Royals Nation]

kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090117&content_id=3748637&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

Optimism pervades Royals FanFest
Kansas City players, fans excited about upcoming season
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com

KANSAS CITY -- It was a moving feast of baseball with a blue hue. At the second Royals FanFest, there was a lot going on.
At one point on Saturday afternoon, eight of the club's infielders filed onto the main stage and tossed souvenirs into the crowd. Ryan Shealy even tossed the pink cap he wore -- a manly pink, to be sure -- to a youngster.

Perched on chair across the stage, they exchanged patter with emcee Tim Scott. Alex Gordon revealed that he and pitcher Luke Hochevar got mohawk haircuts during a trip to Mexico. So Scott wondered if maybe the whole team might get mohawks next season, even hair-stylin' Mike Aviles.

"If everybody does it, I'll do that," Aviles averred.

They were kidded about going to manager Trey Hillman's mini-camp for infielders next week at his Texas home -- a sleepover at Camp Hillman, Scott called it .

Billy Butler told the folks about the new baby girl that his wife, Katie, delivered this winter. Kila Ka'aihue said he didn't mind being called "Hawaiian Punch." Mike Jacobs talked about hitting a home run in his first Major League at-bat.

But it was newcomer Willie Bloomquist who stirred up the first big burst of applause.

"My biggest goal is to be on a team that makes a playoff," Bloomquist said. "It's about time for that to happen in Kansas City."

The fans loved that line and cheered.

That was the overwhelming tone of the FanFest, and club president Dan Glass felt the optimism as he drifted through the 5,500 or so folks that invaded the Overland Park Convention Center on Saturday.

"It's all upbeat, it's all positive. Everybody senses that we're going in the right direction -- little by little, building something special here," Glass said. "They're proud to be Royals fans. They feel proud again."

That fast finish to the season -- 18-8 in September and escaping the cellar -- certainly fueled some passion. So did the addition of guys like Jacobs, Bloomquist, Kyle Farnsworth and Coco Crisp.

"The way we finished last year and with what [general manager Dayton Moore] did this offseason, everybody was real positive going in. And the group of guys and the chemistry we have is real exciting," pitcher Brian Bannister said. "You can really feel the energy in here."

Butler, looking slimmer after a winter of hard work, took to the FanFest like a fat fastball. More square footage was added to accommodate the batting cages, booths, shops and autograph tables.

"I thought last year was unbelievable, but this is even better," Butler said. "We've got more room, more space, more people -- more people than ever loving to come out and see the Royals."

Which put him in a mood to make a vow.

"Let's give 'em a good game at the stadium every time they come out," Butler said. "The people are great, they're so genuine. They just want to have a winning team here. They're starving for one, and we're trying to give it to them. We're doing everything that we can, and now we've just got to put it onto the field."

Even before Bloomquist stirred the folks in his main stage appearance, he felt the buzz.

"There's snow on the ground and all these people showing up that excited about baseball and the baseball season," Bloomquist said. "It's kind of a neat little buzz that's kind of going around. I think people understand that this is an organization that's going in the right direction."

About 25 players plus Hillman, coaches and alumni kept the fans busy throughout the day. The second and final day of the Royals FanFest will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The theme, obviously, is optimism and progress.

"All we can say is we're going to put a good lineup on the field this year," said the upbeat Butler. "We're feeling pretty confident, one through nine, and with every starter we throw. We're going to have a chance to bang the ball around the park and get anybody out that we want to get out. That's what we've set ourselves up for. Now we've just got to get it done."

[KC Royals Nation]

The entire FanFest pre-ceremonial experience. The dinner was fantastic.....chicken, salad, coffee, water, and Bud Light. It feels great to be 22. That's Greg Schaum sitting at the front (left) table, as well as an RN family member and a Royals Corner poster.



Royals promotional guy Tim Scott introduces the awards banquet.



The main stage of the event - very aesthetically pleasing. This event was much more fancy and well-coordinated than previous ceremonies. The metal bars resemble a 1999-era Dr. Dre/Xzhibit/Limp Bizkit/Eminem concert.



The right part of the stage.



Center stage.



Some young folks sing the National Anthem on the main stage at FanFest.



Long lines are tedious and frustrating. I pat myself on the shoulder for not standing in any of them for precious minutes at a time (like I did last year).



The batting cages. I was tempted to wait in line for 48 days and do my batting impersations in front of complete strangers, but I opted for the $3.00 cappuccino break instead.



"Promotions alley." Omaha Royals and Northwest Arkansas Naturals giveaways, as well as other events.



The entrance to the batting cage.



GO SAWWWWWWXXXX!!!!!11



Royals paraphernilia.



1985 World Series trophy and uniforms, among other things.



Denny Matthews and Tony Muser's father (not really) in the autograph booth.



An empty stage. I'm not sure why I shot this. I know Bannister feels proud to be part of this photograph (DeJesus, too).



Ryan LeFebvre introducing Royals coaches. Seitzer, Owen, Gibbons, and Kuntz are sitting on the stage.



The coaches and Ryan LeFebvre conducting a little Q&A. The speakers were difficult to listen to with the tremendous crowd. One had to sit relatively close to the stage. Sadly, because the upper seats were full, I sat several rows back, and couldn't hear very well.





I *loved* these things when I was younger (ages 3-6 or so).



I'm amazed the speed pitch generated a line this long. Doing this activity damages your arm - don't do it.



Mike Aviles showing batting practice to the kids. Many people were sitting behind the backstop snapping photos, including me. Aviles fouled and popped off many pitches. Granted, this was whiffleball.



Kila Ka'aihue showing off B.P. He hit a couple home runs.



My autographed baseball, with an relentless Royals Review sitting in the background.



Take that, Mother's Basement!!!!111



That is Denny Matthews' autograph the second from the bottom. I'm amazed that he has kept such a comprehensible signature after all these years.

[kcroyal45]

I stood in a LOT fewer lines this year than last (only went to three autograph sessions). I primarily hung out at the photo stage (got my picture taken with about 2/3 of the Royals roster), and at the game used jersey shop. Also videoed several of the interviews on the main stage...spent WAYYY too much money on those jerseys. Oops.