D-backs announce SUBWAY FanFest details

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today instructions and policies regarding obtaining autographs from players and coaches during six autograph sessions from 10:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. next Saturday, Feb. 9, at the ninth annual SUBWAY® D-backs FanFest at Chase Field.

With more than 25,000 fans at FanFest last year, the D-backs have expanded this year's event and will feature a variety of activities for everyone, including:

• D-backs home clubhouse tours
• Player photo opportunities, courtesy of Smile Generation
• Question and answer sessions with D-backs players, coaches, broadcasters and alumni
• Test your swing in the D-backs batting cages and catch a fly ball at the wall
• Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation Yard Sale
• Wiffle ball fields and clinics featuring D-backs players, coaches and staff from the D-backs Baseball Academy, presented by Grand Canyon University
• Live Arizona Sports 620 AM broadcast throughout the afternoon
• Tryout registrations for National Anthem, Rally-backs and Golden Glovers
• Interactive display showcasing the new Mountainside Fitness Platinum location at Chase Field
• 2013 Chevrolet car exhibit with co-branded giveaway items for fans
• Registration for several D-backs in-game promotions throughout the 2013 season, including the KaChingKo contest
• 10,000 scratcher cards will be handed out at the main gate and winning scratcher cards can be redeemed at the D-backs Ticket Sales and Service Headquarters

Among the D-backs players currently scheduled to attend include Heath Bell, Willie Bloomquist, Eric Chavez, Josh Collmenter, Patrick Corbin, Adam Eaton, Paul Goldschmidt, David Hernandez, Aaron Hill, Eric Hinske, Daniel Hudson, Ian Kennedy, Jason Kubel, Brandon McCarthy, John McDonald, Wade Miley, Miguel Montero, Wil Nieves, Cliff Pennington, A.J. Pollock, Martin Prado, J.J. Putz, Cody Ross, Tyler Skaggs and Brad Ziegler. Coaches expected to participate include Manager Kirk Gibson, Hitting Coach Don Baylor, Pitching Coach Charles Nagy, First Base Coach Steve Sax, Bullpen Coach Glenn Sherlock, Bench Coach Alan Trammell, Assistant Hitting Coach Turner Ward and Third Base Coach Matt Williams. Broadcasters Bob Brenly, Steve Berthiaume, Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, Jeff Munn, Miguel Quintana and Richard Saenz will also be in attendance, as well as Luis Gonzalez and several other former D-backs players.

Autograph session vouchers will go on sale at various times leading up to FanFest. The A and B autograph sessions are exclusive to season ticket holders with vouchers available for purchase starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7. The remaining autograph sessions are open to the public with vouchers for sessions C and D available at 9 a.m. on Feb. 9 at the Chase Field Box Office. Vouchers for the E and F sessions will be available to D-backs Insider email newsletter subscribers online at starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. Fans can register for the D-backs Insider at dbacks.com/insider. Fans may purchase a maximum of one table per session and two vouchers per table. All autograph vouchers are $5, with the proceeds of the sales going to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. Vouchers purchased online will be available for pickup on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Ticket Sales and Service Headquarters located inside Fan Fest.

The D-backs will also have an area in right-center field at Chase Field for kids 12 and under to receive free autographs from players, coaches and broadcasters during six sessions from 10:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Vouchers for each session will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis 15 minutes prior to each respective autograph session in front of the Kids Autograph Area. Up to one parent can accompany each child in line.

This year the D-backs have expanded the kid's activity area to include face painters, balloon artists, character artists, arts and crafts and several inflatables. Kids can also audition to be a FOX Sports Arizona KidKaster during the 2013 D-backs season. Plus, the entire family can enjoy the Cox Family Fun Zone that features speed pitch, T-ball and interactive inflatable courtesy of Cox Communications.

The D-backs Social Media Clubhouse will provide a central hub for connecting with the team through online outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Guests are encouraged to tweet throughout the event using the #DbacksFanFest hash tag. In addition, fans can take part in an on-site scavenger hunt via Instagram for a chance to win D-backs prizes, including a meet and greet with Paul Goldschmidt at a future D-backs home game. Fans can register for special text alerts leading up to the event by texting FANFEST to 76925. For additional information regarding SUBWAY® D-backs FanFest, please visit dbacks.com/fanfest or call 602.462.FEST (3378).

This year will also feature the first-ever D-backs Race Against Cancer, presented by the University of Arizona Cancer Center at St. Joseph's and the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, prior to FanFest. The race will start and end at Chase Field and will wind through the streets of downtown Phoenix. The 5k run will begin at 8 a.m. and the 1k Family Fun Walk will start at 9:30 a.m. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and will be distributed to Arizona non-profits that provide screening, treatment and support for those dealing with cancer. Race participants are encouraged to stick around for a health and wellness expo as fans head into FanFest.

D-backs season ticket holders and race participants will be able to enter SUBWAY® D-backs FanFest an hour early, beginning at 9 a.m. Season tickets can be purchased during the event through the Select-A-Seat program, which highlights available seats for the upcoming season throughout the ballpark. Mini-plans will also be made available to fans, as well as information on group outings, suites, Spring Training and World Baseball Classic. Single-game tickets will not go on sale until early March.