D-Backs Fan Fest Recap: Part 3 (Wow, I am blown away!)

So here is a video of me opening the package that the Diamondbacks sent me after my experience at Fan Fest this past Saturday. I was blown away with what they sent. I want to thank Eric George (Guest Services Manager) for taking the time to listen to our concerns and for going above and beyond in making it up to me!

D-Backs Fan Fest Recap: Part 2

In Part 1 of my D-Backs Fan Fest Recap I mentioned the frustration that I experienced trying to purchase autograph tickets. My buddy and I got up early and waited outside for over 3 hours and got nothing. I immediately started asking who I could speak to about the situation. I was referred to someone that was supposed to be on the field at a Customer Relations booth. When we got to the booth they didn't know where that person was so we were directed back up to the Customer Relations department in the actual stadium. I explained the situation to a couple of people working at the desk and one of them called a manager. We waited for him to arrive and then I explained my frustration with how things were handled. He apologized and said they would take my feedback and suggestions into consideration for next year. He actually offered us a couple of tickets to get Joe Paterson and Joe Saunders at 2:15 pm, but by this time we were not in the mood to wait another three hours so we declined. He then did something that really surprised me. He asked if there was a player that we would like him to get an autograph from and send to us. We of course said yes and he gave us his business card and told us to email him with who we would like and our addresses. I mentioned Justin Upton and he said that was fine. When I got home I sent him an email asking for either Justin Upton or Paul Goldschmidt. On Monday he responded to my email, thanking me for the feedback and letting me know that he would be sending out an autograph sometime this week. He didn't mention which player or what it would be, so I'm really excited to see what happens next. I'll keep you posted.

D-Backs Fan Fest Recap: Part 1

My buddy and I arrived at the D-Backs Fan Fest on Saturday, February 11th at about 7:30 am. We were prepared to wait 3+ hours in line in order to purchase autograph tickets for some of our favorite D-Backs players and coaches. We were probably around the 30th people in the general public line. Tickets were suppossed to go on sale to the general public at 10:30 am or whenever the line for Season Ticket Holders was complete "whichever comes first". The part in quotation marks is from the flyer that was handed out by D-Backs staff around 8:30 am. 10:30 am came and went and the Season Ticket Holders kept coming. The Season Ticket Holders were allowed to completely finish purchasing autograph tickets before the general public was allowed to purchase any autograph tickets. By the time we got up to a ticket window almost all the tickets were sold out. We had waited for over 3 hours and ended up not getting a single autograph ticket. Needless to say I was extremly frustrated and I voiced my concerns over how things were handled. I will keep you posted as to the results. We entered the stadium and got out Subway gift cards (I still haven't checked to see how much is on mine - it's somewhere between $1 and $500 - I'm guessing mine will be $1). We went down to the Yard Sale and I did purchase a few items including these three autographed 8 x 10's of former D-Backs. I got them for $2 each. I also got a $2 Augie Ojeda bobblehead that I did not have yet.

Kelly Johnson

Brandon Allen

Clay Zavada

D-Backs Fan Fest

This is a scheduled post because I am going to be at the D-Backs Fan Fest all day! I'll have lots to show and talk about in upcoming posts.

D-Backs Fan Fest

I'm a huge D-Backs fan and I had never been to a D-Backs Fan Fest before yesterday. It was awesome! I planned on attending with a buddy of mine, but we weren't able to meet up, so I went by myself. Subway was the main sponser and they had a promotion going where if you bought two value meals, you could bring in your reciept and get in an hour early and get Dan Haren's autograph for free. So I took advantage of that opportunitty and arrived right at 9 am. When I got in I was surprized to see that people could pick between Dan Haren, Luis Gonzalez, and Miguel Montero for their free autograph. I wanted Haren, so I got my voucher and got in line. I probably waited about 45 minutes or so, not too long. Here is a picture of Dan handing me my ball back. Not the best picture, but a picture nontheless.

Here is my new Dan Haren autographed baseball.

From there I walked over to section 132, where I could enter the field. Here is a shot of the field.

I headed over to the Foundation Yard Sale. Again, this was my first D-Backs Fan Fest, so I was unaware of the Yard Sale. I walk in and right off the bat are a couple thousand autographed baseballs for sale, mostly from former D-Backs. They wanted $50 for Gonzo and then had several players for $25, $10 and $2. That's right, $2 for an autographed MLB ball. I could have gone nuts, but I controlled myself and picked out two balls that were each $2. They had broken bats, game worn hats and jerseys and a smattering of other items all for great prices. All proceeds went to Diamondback charities. Here is what I got.

Robby Hammock autographed ball ($2)

Shane Reynolds autographed ball ($2)

Josh Wilson Locker Nameplate ($3) - my last name is Wilson, so I had to get this

Alex Cintron Locker Nameplate ($3) - these are the actual nameplates that were above the players lockers

Troy Glaus Locker Nameplate ($3)

Carlos Quentin Bobblehead ($3)

After checking out at the Yard Sale I started wandering and ran into Matt Williams, who was signing autographs while waiting for his turn to go on the radio. I pulled out my card binder, but for some reason I had forgot to bring any Williams cards.

I did however, have some Signature Cards, so I had Matt sign one for me. Thanks Matt!

Next I went over and took a tour of the locker room/clubhouse area. Here are some of the teams lockers.

Brandon Webb

Mark Reynolds

Dan Haren

Justin Upton

Conor Jackson

Chris Young

Clay Zavada

The tour ended with you coming out in the dugout, which was pretty cool.

I had a great time! My time and funds were both low, so I didn't stay for any of the autograph sessions that required a $5 per player per item donation, but I still ended up with some sweet auto's to add to my collection. I can't wait til next year!