My First Fan Fest
This is another of those posts that maybe only I can fully appreciate. Just humor me, will you?
For a baseball fan, the months between the World Series and spring training seem to go on forever. So any chance during this lull in action to see the players is welcomed by the many avid fans.
I don't know how many teams do this, but the San Francisco Giants hold annual Fan Festival, just before the pitchers and catchers report for spring training. This is a time for the fans to show their support to the players and their team. The Giants are a classy team. They know how to appreciate their fans. Last year, we were unable to go because of scheduling conflict. The day the fan fest was scheduled was the day we were coming back from our cruise.
Lesson learned from last year; hence we made sure we were ready for this year's Fan Fest. If nothing else, it would be a great day at the park.
Do you see the blue skies? Early February and the temperature was in the upper 60s. Short-sleeve weather, yay!
The fanfest was scheduled from 10 to 3 pm. I arrived a little before noon.
THE PARK:
The fans were allowed to peek at the home team's clubhouse.
The corridor walls were decorated with photos of memorable moments in Giants history. My fave moment as a Giants fan was when Brian Johnson hit a game winning HR in the bottom of the 12th, LA Dodgers vs SF Giants, 9/18/97. Still one of the best games I've seen (on tv). This is that moment pictured here.
The scoreboard.
So clear you could see Oakland across the bay.
The waterway to the right is called McCovey Cove.
Won't be long before this place will see full house night after night.
THE PLAYERS/TEAM:
The players were scattered all over the ballpark signing autographs. Some lines were really long and wraps around the park. It was never my intention to get any autographs, so I didn't even catch sight of the other players.
Jeremy Affeldt (l) and Nate Schierholtz (r) being interviewed by Larry Kruger (l) and Gary Radnich (r). The Giants flagship station sponsored the fan fest and the shows were aired live from the ball park that day. I spent more time listening to interviews.
Reliever Sergio Romo, a member of the bearded brigade, takes his turn at the interview desk.
Matt Cain, pitcher extraordinaire, walks up to the interview desk.
And gets to take pictures with Fitz and Brooks, sports radio announcers.
Pablo Sandoval, lovingly called the Panda by fans, was all smiles as he walks off the interview desk.
THE FANS:
The Giants announced that the number of people who attended the fan fest was 36,000. Here are some of the 36,000 that my camera captured.
It was a lovely experience.
For a baseball fan, the months between the World Series and spring training seem to go on forever. So any chance during this lull in action to see the players is welcomed by the many avid fans.
I don't know how many teams do this, but the San Francisco Giants hold annual Fan Festival, just before the pitchers and catchers report for spring training. This is a time for the fans to show their support to the players and their team. The Giants are a classy team. They know how to appreciate their fans. Last year, we were unable to go because of scheduling conflict. The day the fan fest was scheduled was the day we were coming back from our cruise.
Lesson learned from last year; hence we made sure we were ready for this year's Fan Fest. If nothing else, it would be a great day at the park.
Do you see the blue skies? Early February and the temperature was in the upper 60s. Short-sleeve weather, yay!
The fanfest was scheduled from 10 to 3 pm. I arrived a little before noon.
THE PARK:
The fans were allowed to peek at the home team's clubhouse.
The corridor walls were decorated with photos of memorable moments in Giants history. My fave moment as a Giants fan was when Brian Johnson hit a game winning HR in the bottom of the 12th, LA Dodgers vs SF Giants, 9/18/97. Still one of the best games I've seen (on tv). This is that moment pictured here.
The scoreboard.
So clear you could see Oakland across the bay.
The waterway to the right is called McCovey Cove.
Won't be long before this place will see full house night after night.
THE PLAYERS/TEAM:
The players were scattered all over the ballpark signing autographs. Some lines were really long and wraps around the park. It was never my intention to get any autographs, so I didn't even catch sight of the other players.
Jeremy Affeldt (l) and Nate Schierholtz (r) being interviewed by Larry Kruger (l) and Gary Radnich (r). The Giants flagship station sponsored the fan fest and the shows were aired live from the ball park that day. I spent more time listening to interviews.
Reliever Sergio Romo, a member of the bearded brigade, takes his turn at the interview desk.
Matt Cain, pitcher extraordinaire, walks up to the interview desk.
And gets to take pictures with Fitz and Brooks, sports radio announcers.
Pablo Sandoval, lovingly called the Panda by fans, was all smiles as he walks off the interview desk.
THE FANS:
The Giants announced that the number of people who attended the fan fest was 36,000. Here are some of the 36,000 that my camera captured.
It was a lovely experience.
My favourite is the geometric photo of some people sitting down, the shadows and the empty seats make it amazing.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Val
Barcelona Daily Photo
Hi, I can appreciate your love of baseball. I love sports also. My Daddy loved the Yankees --so when I was a little girl, I became a Brooklyn Dodger fan (just to have competition with Daddy)... Dad sold tickets for one of the minor league teams that played in our little town... SO--I got to go to games with him back then. I learned all about baseball--and have always loved it. When I lived in Texas for 12 yrs., I was a huge Astros fan... They USED to have such a good team... No more though. Sigh!!!!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, why do you still have Word Verification enabled? PLEASE take it off... I cannot read those words --and just don't have time to keep trying. Thanks so much.
Hugs,
Betsy
My countrymen are more into football. :)
ReplyDeleteIt seems such a fun day, If I have a chance to visit USA, I will try to watch a baseball match. :)
A very interesting series. I like the idea of a team and their management making a special occasion for the fans. One of my favorite shots was of the field with hundreds of fans roaming about the ball park.
ReplyDeletenice, crisp pics. It's baseball season again.. soon !
ReplyDeletebeing one with the high spirited crowd is totally worth it. namiss ko ang UAAP days, ateneo vs lasalle! haha
ReplyDeleteinteresting as i have never been to a fan day for sports. i only enjoy seeing them from the tube.
ReplyDeletei can imagine the crowd.
Oh, how fun, Maria! I wonder if the Atlanta Braves do something like this????
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed that huge event. It's cute that you spotted that couple from the crowd.
ReplyDeleteLove the (almost) empty seat shot!
ReplyDelete