Astros 2013 CAREavan hits the road Jan. 21

Annual community tour to visit fans in 14 cities over five days

January 16, 2013

HOUSTON – The 2013 Houston Astros CAREavan will hit the road on January 21 with over 30 stops, reaching far and wide throughout central and south Texas, Oklahoma City, and Houston.

The 14-city tour consists of five simultaneous tours in five days with stops in the Houston area (Jan. 21 – 25), Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, La Joya and McAllen (Jan. 22 – 23), and Austin and San Antonio (Jan. 24 – 25). The CAREavan will also travel to the Astros’ minor league ballparks in Corpus Christi (Jan. 24) and Oklahoma City (Jan. 25).

Several CAREavan stops will highlight the club’s charitable interests including youth baseball and softball, support for the U.S. military and at-risk youth. Astros players, alumni and front office staff will visit schools, hospitals and military bases; conduct baseball and softball clinics; and take disadvantaged youth shopping for sports equipment. There are seven opportunities for fans to get autographs from Astros players at select Academy Sports + Outdoors stores. A list of stops is available at www.astros.com/careavan.

Current players and front office representatives joining the tour include President and CEO George Postolos, General Manager Jeff Luhnow, Assistant General Manager David Stearns, Astros Manager Bo Porter, Jose Altuve, Jason Castro, Carlos Corporan, Jarred Cosart, Tyler Greene, Lucas Harrell, Jed Lowrie, Jordan Lyles, Justin Maxwell, J.D. Martinez, Bud Norris, Carlos Pen͂a, Brett Wallace and Wesley Wright. Also on the tour are Astros alumni Brandon Backe, Jose Cruz, Art Howe, Shane Reynolds, J.R. Richard and Jimmy Wynn. Please note that players are subject to change.

Astros FanFest will cap off the week-long CAREavan at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, January 26 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm with baseball-themed activities including current and former player autograph sessions, an interactive kids zone, a vendor expo, and several additional activities for fans of all ages. A portion of the FanFest proceeds will benefit the Astros In Action Foundation.

Details on CAREavan are as follows:

Houston AREA – JANUARY 21 - 25

Monday, January 21 – Houston, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Dairanetta Spain, 713-226-9180

Bo Porter, J.R. Richard, Wesley Wright and Jimmy Wynn

MLK Grande Parade

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Parade – route is on San Jacinto beginning at Elgin
Astros parade entree sponsored by Lexus
Charles Stamps, 713-953-1633
Open to fans and all media

CAREavan Baseball and Softball Clinic presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Astros Urban Youth Academy, 2801 Victory Drive, Houston, TX 77088
Brandon Denton, 405-863-3135
Open only to pre-registered participants of the Astros Community Leaders program, Urban Youth Academy and RBI programs and all media

Tuesday, January 22 – Spring, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Dairanetta Spain, 713-226-9180

Jose Altuve, Tyler Greene, Shane Reynolds and Wesley Wright

CAREavan Baseball and Softball Clinic presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Competitive Edge Sports Center, 2733 Rayford Rd., Spring, TX 77386
Jimmy Godail, 281-463-9405
Open to pre-registered Northwest 45 Little League participants and all media

Academy Sports + Outdoors

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Autograph signing
25010 I-45 N, Spring, TX 77386
Open to fans and all media

Wednesday, January 23 – Houston/Pearland, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Dairanetta Spain, 713-226-9180

Brandon Backe, Jarred Cosart, Jed Lowrie and Bo Porter

Military Appreciation Lunch sponsored by Chick-fil-A

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ellington Field, 11900 Galveston Road, Houston, TX 77034
Major Adam Collett, 713-677-9163
Open to all media

CAREavan Baseball and Softball Clinic presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Bigs Batting Cages, 4102 Veterans Drive, Pearland, TX 77584
Charlene Argo, 281-489-1999
Open to pre-registered Pearland Little League participants and all media

Academy Sports + Outdoors

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Autograph signing
2804 Business Center Dr., Pearland, TX 77584
Open to fans and all media

Thursday, January 24 – Humble, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Dairanetta Spain, 713-226-9180

Brandon Backe, Tyler Greene, Lucas Harrell, Jed Lowrie and Carlos Pena

Woodcreek Middle School Assembly Visit

1:10 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Woodcreek Middle School sixth graders
14600 Woodson Park Drive, Houston, TX 77044
Principal Brent McDonald, 281-641-5202
Open to all media

Shop with the ‘Stros presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Shopping experience for members of the Humble Baseball Association
9470 FM 1960 Bypass, Houston, TX 77338
Open to pre-registered Humble Baseball Association participants and all media

Friday, January 25 – Katy, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Dairanetta Spain, 713-226-9180

Jason Castro, Lucas Harrell, Art Howe, J.D. Martinez, Carlos Pena, Bo Porter and Jeff Luhnow

Lunch with the ‘Stros at Beck Junior High School sponsored by Papa John’s

10:50 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
5200 S Fry Rd., Katy, TX 77450
Paula Olsen, 281-237-3300
Open to all media

Methodist West Houston Hospital

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Visits with patients
18500 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094
Ami Brezina, 713-818-4190
Open to all media

Outer Markets – January 22 - 25

Tuesday, Jan. 22 – McAllen, Edinburg and La Joya, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Nicky Patriarca, 956-433-1208

Carlos Corporan, Jose Cruz, Lucas Harrell, Jeff Luhnow and Alex Trevino

Dr. Carlos Castaneda Elementary

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Bilingual story time
4100 N. 34th Street, McAllen, TX 78504
Maru Falletich, 956-632-8882

CSN Houston Pep Rally at La Joya High School

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
604 Coyote Dr., La Joya, TX 78560
Corina Lopez, 956-580-6026
Open to all media

Academy Sports + Outdoors

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Autograph signing
651 E. Trenton Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539
Open to fans and all media

Wednesday, January 23– Harlingen and Brownsville, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Nicky Patriarca, 956-433-1208

Carlos Corporan, Jose Cruz, Lucas Harrell, Jeff Luhnow and Alex Trevino

Ben Milam Elementary

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Bilingual story time
1215 Rangerville Rd., Harlingen, TX 78550
Rosie Cobarrubias, 956-427-3150
Open to all media

Valley Regional Medical Center

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Visits with patients
100 Alton Gloor Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78526
Robin Brechot, 956-350-7745
Open to all media

International Baseball Clinic presented by HEB

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Brownsville Sports Park, 1000 Sports Park Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78575
Paul Maraboto, 956-547-6861
Open only to pre-registered participants and all media

Thursday, January 24– San Antonio, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Maureen Wade, 713-985-9478

Jose Altuve, Bill Brown, J.R. Richard, David Stearns and Brett Wallace

Military Appreciation Lunch sponsored by Chick-fil-A

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lackland AFB Main Base Exchange, San Antonio, TX 78236
Lt. Samantha Knees, 703-622-9609
Open to all media

Shop with the ‘Stros presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio - Eastside Branch members
2024 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78232
Open only to Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio - Eastside Branch members and all media

Academy Sports + Outdoors

5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Autograph signing
2024 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78232
Open to fans and all media

Thursday, January 24– Corpus Christi, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Gene Dias, 713-410-0161

Jordan Lyles, Bud Norris, Justin Maxwell, George Postolos and Milo Hamilton

Corpus Christi Hooks Sponsorship Luncheon at Whataburger Field

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
734 North Port Avenue Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Elisa Macias, 361-331-7280
Open to luncheon ticket holders and all media

Baseball Chalk Talk at Gregory Portland High School

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
4601 Wildcat Drive, Portland, TX 78374
Q&A session with Gregory Portland High School baseball and softball teams
Elisa Macias, 361-331-7280
Open to all media

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital - Cancer Center

3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Visits with cancer patients
1415 Santa Fe, Corpus Christi, TX 78463
Elisa Macias, 361-331-7280
Open to all media

Academy Sports + Outdoors

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Autograph signing
5001 S. Padres Island Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78411
Open to fans and all media

Friday, January 25 – Austin, TX; On-site Astros Contact: Maureen Wade, 713-985-9478

Jose Altuve, Bill Brown, J.R. Richard, David Stearns and Brett Wallace

Dell Children’s Medical Center

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Visits with pediatric patients
4900 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723
Marcella Maxwell, 512-324-0146
Open to all media

CAREavan Baseball and Softball Clinic presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

3:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
1182 North Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, TX 78702
Matt Price, 512-992-3867
Open only to pre-registered RBI Austin participants and all media

Academy Sports + Outdoors

5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Autograph signing
5400 Brodie Ln., Sunset Valley, TX 78745
Open to fans and all media

Friday, January 25 –Oklahoma City, Okla.; On-site Astros Contact: Gene Dias, 713-410-0161

Jordan Lyles, Bud Norris, Justin Maxwell, George Postolos and Milo Hamilton

RedHawks Luncheon

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 South Mickey Mantle Drive, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73104
Chelsi Fitzgerald, 405-640-0114
Open to RedHawks guests only and media

Will Rogers Elementary School

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Cooper’s Healthy Hawks program
1215 E. 9th Street Edmond, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73034
Lou Moore, 405-726-3903
Open to all media

CAREavan Baseball and Softball Clinic presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

YMCA, 1220 South Rankin Street, Edmond, Okla. 73034
Chris Berry, 405-290-5085

Open only to pre-registered par and all media

Academy Sports + Outdoors

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Autograph signing
7700 South Walker, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73139
Open to fans and all media