All-Star Fanfest

[oucats02]

Hello board,

Just doing some research on things for the upcoming All-Star game and festivities. I have every ticket possible, so I'm going to be spending a ton of time (and money) down in Cincinnati.

I'm just curious as to those who have been to other Fan-Fests and how they operate, who signs, costs of tickets and etc.

Any help would be appreciated! Anybody else planning on attending this year?

Thanks!

[yrocks2001]

I went last year and it was a good time but if you're looking for autographs of current players your chances are probably better at the hotel. Last year I got Cepeda at the FanFest. Lines are typically pretty long and you might do better trying to get players after their radio shows/interviews. If there is access at the hotel I'd just camp out there. I've never autographed at a hotel before last years all star game and it was a zoo but was still able to get about 15-17 of the allstars (no real big names).

[oucats02]

Still 15-17 All Stars is pretty dang good!!!

[Ryansory]

I went last year. Dm me

[jimfalbo21]

I'm hoping to get up to Cincy on Monday before the All-Star game

[Matt Ryan]

I'll be getting into Cincy on Friday of the All Star weekend. This will be my second ASG and stadium number #21. Looking forward to it.

[WIsportsfan19]

I know some guys that had a ton of success at the Futures Game last year. I'm jealous!

[BLawson87]

I'm going up for the futures game, possibly fan fest Saturday, and maybe Monday or Tuesday also. Not expecting to get too much since I'm sure it'll be nuts but it's worth a try and definitely worth the experience of going!

[garpike]

I think I am going to try and hit up the Cincy Fan Fest just to check out the goings on and maybe get some freebies and memorabilia, not expecting too many autographs though. I went to the one in Detroit a few years back and it was a mad house. Lines were really long and players switched out every so often so I was unable to get who I was wanting to get.

[garpike]

Originally Posted by yrocks2001

I went last year and it was a good time but if you're looking for autographs of current players your chances are probably better at the hotel. Last year I got Cepeda at the FanFest. Lines are typically pretty long and you might do better trying to get players after their radio shows/interviews. If there is access at the hotel I'd just camp out there. I've never autographed at a hotel before last years all star game and it was a zoo but was still able to get about 15-17 of the allstars (no real big names).

Is there a secret on how to figure out which hotel the players are staying at?
I have heard of people getting autos out side the hotel before but I never understood how you obtain the info.

[oucats02]

There is also a show going on across the river in Kentucky put on by a local promoter:

Autographs, All Star Game Sports Show - Cei Sports inc - Cincinnati, Oh

[dgonz5000]

Fanfest was great when the AS game was here in NY, but the lines for autographs was super long and I didn't bother.

They should update soon who is going to be there. Have fun!!

[BLawson87]

Originally Posted by oucats02

There is also a show going on across the river in Kentucky put on by a local promoter:

Autographs, All Star Game Sports Show - Cei Sports inc - Cincinnati, Oh

Wow. Thanks for sharing this.. I need Perez and Geronimo to complete my great 8 auto ball set. I will be going!

[PejaD]

Fanfest auto opportunities will likely be some Reds legends, MLB legends (Fingers, Gaylord, Fergie, Fred Lynn, etc.), MLB execs (Tue) and futures game participants (maybe Fri/Sat). Fanfest lines are generally long (at least an hour or two) for the scheduled signings. Execs and futures guys may be had wandering around FanFest. Security is generally too high to get the MLB All Stars making appearances at FanFest.

The MLB All Stars will start coming into town on Sunday evening. Futures guys come in starting Friday with most coming on Saturday. The Red Carpet Parade on Tue may also provide opportunities.

HR Derby/Workout Day and the actual All Star Game are generally bad in terms of autograph opportunities.

[BLawson87]

Originally Posted by PejaD

Fanfest auto opportunities will likely be some Reds legends, MLB legends (Fingers, Gaylord, Fergie, Fred Lynn, etc.), MLB execs (Tue) and futures game participants (maybe Fri/Sat). Fanfest lines are generally long (at least an hour or two) for the scheduled signings. Execs and futures guys may be had wandering around FanFest. Security is generally too high to get the MLB All Stars making appearances at FanFest.

The MLB All Stars will start coming into town on Sunday evening. Futures guys come in starting Friday with most coming on Saturday. The Red Carpet Parade on Tue may also provide opportunities.

HR Derby/Workout Day and the actual All Star Game are generally bad in terms of autograph opportunities.

Thanks for the tips!

[garpike]

Has anyone tried getting autos during the Celebrity Softball game??

Reds announced that Snoop Dogg is attending this years game and I would LOVE to get his Ginter card signed but I am wondering if that is beyond impossible?

[rukastar]

That would be incredibly awesome if Snoop signed. Do you think he'd make an inscription?

"Smoke weed every day"
"Drop it like it's hot"
"Mind on my money & my money on my mind"
"Snoop's upside ya head"
"Chill, 'til the next episode"

....would be a lot to ask but absolutely killer!

[garpike]

Originally Posted by rukastar

That would be incredibly awesome if Snoop signed. Do you think he'd make an inscription?

"Smoke weed every day"
"Drop it like it's hot"
"Mind on my money & my money on my mind"
"Snoop's upside ya head"
"Chill, 'til the next episode"

....would be a lot to ask but absolutely killer!

Yeah that would be great, but I am thinking that getting him to sign ANYTHING, is prob going to be nearly impossible.

LOL!

[Smash322]

I've been to both All-Star weekends in NY did pretty good with Autos but did wait on long lines. Most player will even inscribe items.

Here is who I have got at Fanfest (these were in a single visit each year)

2008: Tony Gwynn, Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers, Paul Molitor, Goose Goosage
2013: Fred Lynn, Gaylord Perry, Jim Leryitz, Jesse Orosco, Howard Johnson, Sid Fernandez

I was also able to get Billy Hamilton before the Futures game in 2013.

[r0yals2012]

I volunteered at Fan Fest in 2012. It was a fun experience. Here is my advice: First 2-3 Days (Friday-Sunday) All local former players from that team. For example the Royals had guys such as John Mayberry, Tom Gordon, Jeff Montgomery. Then on Saturday and Sunday they had guys like Fergie Jenkins, Rollie Fingers, Andre Dawson, those type of guys. I have heard that spending time in line to get an autograph is not worth it. A lot of guys can sign like after the Q&A sessions and after a radio interview. Some surprise players that aren't announced show up so check each day on the schedule. More current players sign on Monday and Tuesday if you are looking for current players. Futures game prospects signed on Saturday. I ended up with Fergie Jenkins, Bob Motley, Xander Bogaerts, Matt Barnes, Willie Aikens, Kerry Wood.

[crabbygraphs]

Originally Posted by garpike

Has anyone tried getting autos during the Celebrity Softball game??

Reds announced that Snoop Dogg is attending this years game and I would LOVE to get his Ginter card signed but I am wondering if that is beyond impossible?

Its not impossible. Guy signs a good bit. If you run into him out there, chances are he will sign.

[dgonz5000]

BASEBALL LEGENDS TO MAKE APPEARANCES AT T-MOBILE ALL-STAR FANFEST

More Than 40 MLB and Reds Legends, Hall of Famers and Fan Favorites to Be On-Site

(subject to change)

Friday, July 10
Doug Flynn
Scott Williamson
Jim O’Toole
Tommy Helms
Luis Tiant
Ron Oester
Amos Otis
Leo Cardenas
Art Shamsky
Barry Larkin (HOF)
Scott Williamson
Dave Parker

Saturday, July 11
Tom Browning
Juan Marichal (HOF)
Chris Sabo
Eric Davis
Orlando Cepeda (HOF)
Glenn Braggs
Rollie Fingers (HOF)
Joe Oliver
Randy Myers
Norm Charlton
Rob Dibble
Barry Larkin (HOF)
Danny Jackson


Sunday, July 12
John Franco
Orlando Cepeda (HOF)
Francisco Cordero
Jim Maloney
Danny Graves
Bert Campaneris
Juan Marichal (HOF)
Ferguson Jenkins (HOF)
Reggie Sanders
Dave Winfield (HOF)
Jim Robinson
Pedro Sierra
Art Pennington
Luis Tiant

Monday, July 13
Rollie Fingers (HOF)
Ferguson Jenkins (HOF)
Jim Robinson
Pedro Sierra
Gaylord Perry (HOF)
Tony Perez (HOF)
Jack Billingham
Andre Dawson (HOF)
Fred Lynn
Lou Brock (HOF)
Cesar Geronimo
Ozzie Smith (HOF)
Art Pennington
Wayne Granger
Vladimir Guerrero

Tuesday, July 14
Gaylord Perry (HOF)
Lee May
Rollie Fingers (HOF)
Clay Carroll
John Edwards
Art Shamsky

[Smash322]

thats a great lineup looking forward to going

[BillyOcean]

I'd love to do a 50/50 or consign for several of those guys from the Reds (Graves, Williamson, etc.)

[PejaD]

Originally Posted by dgonz5000

BASEBALL LEGENDS TO MAKE APPEARANCES AT T-MOBILE ALL-STAR FANFEST

More Than 40 MLB and Reds Legends, Hall of Famers and Fan Favorites to Be On-Site

(subject to change)

Friday, July 10
Doug Flynn
Scott Williamson
Jim O’Toole
Tommy Helms
Luis Tiant
Ron Oester
Amos Otis
Leo Cardenas
Art Shamsky
Barry Larkin (HOF)
Scott Williamson
Dave Parker

Saturday, July 11
Tom Browning
Juan Marichal (HOF)
Chris Sabo
Eric Davis
Orlando Cepeda (HOF)
Glenn Braggs
Rollie Fingers (HOF)
Joe Oliver
Randy Myers
Norm Charlton
Rob Dibble
Barry Larkin (HOF)
Danny Jackson


Sunday, July 12
John Franco
Orlando Cepeda (HOF)
Francisco Cordero
Jim Maloney
Danny Graves
Bert Campaneris
Juan Marichal (HOF)
Ferguson Jenkins (HOF)
Reggie Sanders
Dave Winfield (HOF)
Jim Robinson
Pedro Sierra
Art Pennington
Luis Tiant

Monday, July 13
Rollie Fingers (HOF)
Ferguson Jenkins (HOF)
Jim Robinson
Pedro Sierra
Gaylord Perry (HOF)
Tony Perez (HOF)
Jack Billingham
Andre Dawson (HOF)
Fred Lynn
Lou Brock (HOF)
Cesar Geronimo
Ozzie Smith (HOF)
Art Pennington
Wayne Granger
Vladimir Guerrero

Tuesday, July 14
Gaylord Perry (HOF)
Lee May
Rollie Fingers (HOF)
Clay Carroll
John Edwards
Art Shamsky

Good mix of Reds and MLB legends. Surprised to see Vlad Guerrero and Dave Parker on the list. Winfield would only sign the vendor supplied picture at last year's fan fest. Tuesday looks light, but don't be surprised if they throw a current Red into the mix. They did that with Mauer last year.