Astros players and stops announced for 2015 Caravan and FanFest
Caravan to begin January 20; FanFest to take place on January 24
HOUSTON, TX - The 2015 Houston Astros Caravan presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors will hit the road on Tuesday, January 20 to connect with Astros fans throughout Houston and central and south Texas.
The 14-city circuit consists of several simultaneous tours over the course of four days with stops in the Houston area (Jan. 20 - 23), Brownsville (Jan. 20), San Antonio (Jan. 21), Austin (Jan. 22), Corpus Christi (Jan. 23) and Galveston (Jan. 23).
The Caravan will give Astros players, alumni and broadcasters an opportunity to engage with and thank fans as the team gears up for Spring Training and the 2015 season. The fan outreach tour will also engage with local first responders, stop at several different community centers and visit military facilities. There will be several opportunities for fans to get autographs from Astros players at select Academy Sports + Outdoors stores.
Current players joining the community engagement tour include Jose Altuve, Chris Carter, Kevin Chapman, Hank Conger, Matt Dominguez, Marwin Gonzalez, Luke Gregerson, Robbie Grossman, L.J. Hoes, Dallas Keuchel, Jake Marisnick, Pat Neshek, Alex Presley, Chad Qualls, Jon Singleton, Tony Sipp and George Springer. Top prospects Mark Appel, Max Stassi and Asher Wojciechowski will also be on the tour, joining Astros alumni Brandon Backe, Larry Dierker, Art Howe, John Hudek, J.R. Richard and Chris Sampson. Astros TV broadcasters Bill Brown and Alan Ashby, radio broadcasters Robert Ford and Steve Sparks and Spanish radio broadcaster Alex Trevino will all join the Caravan, as well. Please note that all players, alumni and broadcasters are subject to change.
Additional Astros players, prospects and alumni that will participate in Astros FanFest include Josh Fields, Jed Lowrie, Collin McHugh, Colin Moran, Preston Tucker, Terry Puhl, Carl Warwick and Jimmy Wynn. All players and legends are subject to change.
Other players and alumni may be added to the ones listed for both Caravan and FanFest. A detailed schedule of Caravan will be released in the coming days. For more information and complete details, visit www.astros.com/caravan and www.astros.com/fanfest.
The Astros and the Astros Foundation's cornerstone programs, the Astros Urban Youth Academy and RBI program, will kick off Astros Caravan week with a day of service on Jan. 19 throughout the Houston area.
Astros FanFest will cap off the week-long Caravan at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, January 24 from 11:00 am - 3:00 p.m. with activities for all ages including autograph sessions with many current and former players, swings in the Astros batting cages, running the bases, bullpen throwing sessions, an interactive kids zone, fan forums with front office staff as well as current and former players, a vendor expo and mechanical bull riding. Additionally, Houston Methodist will be conducting a blood drive at Minute Maid Park during the event. The majority of FanFest proceeds will benefit the Astros Foundation's programs for at-risk children and teens.