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Meet the Devil Rays today at FanFest

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 10, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays will sign autographs, give baseball tips and open the doors to their clubhouse as part of this weekend's FanFest at Tropicana Field.

• FanFest autograph schedule, season schedule, and charts on Tropicana Field seating and ticket prices

[Times photo: Michael Rondou] Josh Pressley takes batting practice at the Ray Naimoli Complex in St. Petersburg.

They also hope to sell some tickets.

Sales for individual games, including the April 3 opener, start at 10 a.m. today. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or express ordered with forms distributed inside the stadium. They also can be purchased through Ticketmaster and at team stores in WestShore Plaza and Brandon TownCenter.

FanFest runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Featured attractions include the Club MLB Roadshow, an interactive exhibit that has batting and pitching cages, a plate-stealing area, computers and historic items; YardBall, where fans can take batting practice with plastic balls; question-and-answer sessions with general manager Chuck LaMar (2:30 p.m. today and 2p.m. Sunday), scouting director Dan Jennings (1 p.m. Sunday) and major-league umpires Jim McKean and Dan Morrison (12:30 p.m. today); and clinics by several players and Morrison.

Most fans come for the free autographs, with more than 40 players, coaches and former major-leaguers such as Jim Fregosi and John Cerutti scheduled to appear. Among the most popular signers will be top prospect Josh Hamilton, pitcher Wilson Alvarez, outfielder Greg Vaughn and hitting coach Wade Boggs. Among those not scheduled to appear are Fred McGriff, Gerald Williams, Juan Guzman, Ben Grieve and Vinny Castilla, who just completed play in the Caribbean Series.

There also will be giveaways, displays and exhibits. Admission and parking are free.

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