Rays ready for Fan Fest

02/09/2006
ST. PETERSBURG -- This year's Progress Energy/Tampa Bay Devil Rays 2006 Fan Fest will be a great opportunity for fans to mingle with players and team executives while celebrating the national pastime.
Tropicana Field will host the annual event on Feb. 18. This season marks Progress Energy's eighth year as a corporate sponsor of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
"Baseball is the American pastime, and the Rays are a part of what makes St. Petersburg a major-league city," said Bill Habermeyer, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. "The Progress Energy Rays Fan Fest is a great opportunity for fans to meet the players and get ready for the season ahead. We're looking forward to some great games."
Rays individual game tickets will also go on sale the same day, starting at 8 a.m. ET online at www.devilrays.com and at the box office.
"With Fan Fest comes the unofficial start to the baseball season," said Rays president Matt Silverman. "We are pleased to welcome our fans into a new era of Devil Rays baseball. We hope to offer many more opportunities to allow our fans to interact with our players."
Fan Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the general public, while season-ticket holders will be allowed admittance at 9 a.m. As it has been every year, admission and parking are free.
Rays players and coaches will be at the event to sign autographs beginning at noon.
Activities include a big-league batting cage, where fans can take a few swings; a pitching booth, where fans can clock their fastballs; the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby; the Home-to-First Speed Challenge; a bubble-gum-blowing contest; a baseball card show; the opportunity for kids to run the bases; and a chance for fans to sit in a radio booth for fantasy play-by-play.
Another highlight will be a question-and-answer session with ESPN's Hall of Fame baseball analyst Peter Gammons from 1-2 p.m.
A new feature will give fans the opportunity to create their own customized Louisville Slugger baseball bat with their own signature, as well as experience the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame Museum exhibit.
As in years past, the Rays will honor their most loyal and die-hard fans by inducting six new members into the Pepsi/Devil Rays Wall of Fame at 11 a.m.
In addition to purchasing individual game tickets, fans can purchase season tickets and mini plans inside the stadium throughout the day.
Fan Fest attendees who purchase any of the Rays' Mini Plan offers will receive a free ticket to see the Atlanta Braves when they visit the Devil Rays from June 23-25.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/