D-backs FanFest scheduled for Feb. 9

PHOENIX The Arizona Diamondbacks will host the ninth annual Subway D-backs FanFest on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chase Field. The free event will offer fans access to players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters, including autograph and photo sessions on the field. Last years event drew an estimated 25,000 fans to Chase Field. Among the D-backs players scheduled to attend are Heath Bell, Willie Bloomquist, Eric Chavez, Josh Collmenter, Patrick Corbin, Adam Eaton, Paul Goldschmidt, David Hernandez, Aaron Hill, Eric Hinske, Daniel Hudson, Chris Johnson, Ian Kennedy, Jason Kubel, Brandon McCarthy, John McDonald, Wade Miley, Wil Nieves, Cliff Pennington, A.J. Pollock, Cody Ross, Tyler Skaggs, Justin Upton and Brad Ziegler. Also attending will be manager Kirk Gibson and his coaching staff: Don Baylor, Charles Nagy, Steve Sax, Glenn Sherlock, Alan Trammell, Turner Ward and Matt Williams. Broadcasters Bob Brenly, Steve Berthiaume, Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, Miguel Quintana and Richard Saenz will be present, as well as Luis Gonzalez and other former D-backs players. Children 12 and under will receive free autographs in a special area, while others can receive access to autograph sessions with a donation to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. For the first time, online autograph pre-sales for specific sessions will be made available to fans prior to FanFest. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a Subway cash card. Each custom card features the D-backs and is loaded with an amount ranging from 1 - 100. FanFest highlights include: --FOX Sports Arizona KidKaster auditions. --Clubhouse tours. --Player photo opportunities. --Question and answer sessions with D-backs players, coaches, broadcasters and alumni. --Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation Yard Sale. --Family Fun Zone featuring speed pitch, T-ball and other interactive inflatables. --Wiffle-ball fields and clinics featuring D-backs players, coaches and staff from the D-backs Baseball Academy. --Live Sports 620 KTAR broadcast. --Kids arts and crafts area, including a D-backs poster-making station and chance to color APACC player headshots to be featured in Sunday games throughout the season. --Tryout registrations for National Anthem, Rally-backs, Golden Glovers or D-backs Legends Racers. --Interactive display showcasing the new Mountainside Fitness Platinum location at Chase Field. --2013 Chevrolet car exhibit with giveaway items for fans. This year will also feature the first-ever D-backs Race Against Cancer, presented by the University of Arizona Cancer Center at St. Josephs 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 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. Single-game tickets will not go on sale until early March. For additional information, please visit dbacks.comfanfest or call 602-462-FEST (3378).