Major League Experience, Player Interaction and Perfect Weather make FanFest a Day to Remember

Padres’ Record Turnout at FanFest Sets the Tone for 2011

San Diego, Calif. - February 13, 2011 - You couldn’t help getting excited as you entered the turnstiles of Petco Park on Saturday... there was no pitching matchup or lineup card filled out, but hot dogs were cooking, beer was cold, kids flashed the leather of new or well-worn gloves and the weather was that kind of postcard-perfection for February that makes the rest of the country jealous.  Spring is in the air and so is baseball.

Pitchers and catchers may be reporting today, but over 21,000 fans showed up yesterday for the Padres annual FanFest, easily surpassing last year’s attendance of 12,000.  The momentum and excitement that San Diego carried into the final weekend of the 2010 season felt as though it has been on a low simmer throughout the hot stove season, now coming to a boil.

Every fan demographic as well as Padres’ uniform color scheme appeared to be represented.  The youngest of Friar fanatics should have slept well Saturday night after spending time in the bounce house, running the bases, playing wiffleball in the Park-in-the-Park, getting facepainted and autograph-seeking.  One little girl’s highlight was Aaron Cunningham, greeting fans with Chris Denorfia in Section 109 later in the afternoon, when he signed her toddler-size cap and adjusted it back over her ponytail.   She could hardy stop jumping up and down – “A player signed on my hat!”  Her younger brother looked thrilled with this new treasure on the inside of the brim and gave it a little kiss, presumably for good luck this season.  Both familiar faces and new Padres were on-hand for interviews, pictures and signing memorabilia... Heath Bell even led some lucky kids in a pitching lesson and Chase Headley spent time after his infielders’ group interview setting up tee balls for the youngsters (coaching a new switch-hitter, perhaps?)  It was also great to hear Chase talking about his goal to really take a leadership role in the clubhouse this year.

FanFest is about accessibility to the ballpark and team – fans could step up to the mic during group interview sessions, take home game-used items from the “Garage Sale (raising over $80,000 for the Padres Foundation),” and tour the players’ facilities, walking through the training rooms and clubhouse.  The lighthearted mood was clearly evident from the Star Wars figurines guarding Heath Bell’s locker and a handful of personal business cards that were sneakily tacked onto the team bulletin board.  After making their way through the clubhouse, fans walked the steps of the dugout into the sunshine.  Countless pictures were taken on the home team’s bench – parents and newborns, 20-year season ticket holders, college kids and Little Leaguers all soaked it in.  Finally, who could resist the opportunity to run onto a Major League field to try pitching or catching fly balls – “From the stands the outfield looks so much smaller, this gives you a different perspective,” I overheard.  “Makes you realize how balls get through for a double, that’s a long run into the right or left-field corner!”

Throughout the main concourse fans could spin the prize wheel with various radio stations, sign up for Padres’ email newsletters and the Frequent Friar rewards program, and check out the 2011 promotional schedule and season ticket plans (save the date for the Padres garden gnome giveaway!).  Media included a live XX1090 broadcast with Coach Kentera and Hacksaw, a bloggers’ section, the folks from Channel 4 (place bets on how many different hat styles Mud will sport this year?), and the ever-gracious Jane Mitchell, whose book One-on-One – My Journey with Hall of Famers, Fan Favorites and Rising Stars was available.  For fans of “One-on-One” episodes, flipping through the pages of the book will take you down memory lane... Jane and I talked about the pictures of her champagne soak on the field in 2005 and how special her job is, to be a part of the team through up and down... so happy to have her sign the awesome dedication, which I think is perfect to share with all Padres’ fans ready for 2011 – “Thank you for being a part of my journey by watching and cheering on our boys.”

Now it is your turn...What was your favorite part of this year’s FanFest? What could the Padres do to make the experience better next year?Anyone have great pictures or stories to share?  Please post your pictures on the Friarhood facebook group page

Thanks again to the Padres for allowing the Friarhood to have a booth at the event to engage with our community.