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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.
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.
TODAY: Mike DiFelice, Darren Daulton, Russ Johnson, Paul Wilson, John Cerutti.
11:30-1: Josh Hamilton, Terry Collins, Seth McClung, Jason Tyner, Trevor Enders, Bill Fischer, Terry Leach.
1-2:30: Wilson Alvarez, Doug Creek, Larry Rothschild, Delvin James, Esteban Yan, Darold Knowles, Dan Wheeler, Travis Phelps.
2:30-4: Ryan Rupe, Tanyon Sturtze, Jason Standridge, Bobby Seay, Toby Hall.
SUNDAY: Noon-1:30: Greg Vaughn, John Flaherty, Jared Sandberg, Hal McRae, Tony Fiore, Aubrey Huff, Jim Fregosi.
1:30-2:45: Wade Boggs, Damian Rolls, Bill Pulsipher, Jose Cardenal.
2:45-4: Billy Hatcher, Bryan Rekar, Travis Harper, Dennis Rasmussen, Matt White.