FOUR POINTS FLUSHING.

Four Points Flushing. The Official Hotel of the Queens Baseball Convention and The MediaGoon.com

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Is the Astros fest going to be a cash grab?



My buddy Jessie tweeted this over to me yesterday.




 It's good to see that Mets fans aren't the only fans that are left in the dark when it comes to a fanfest.
I Tweeted back that I wondered if the Astros were one of the teams the Mets consulted with about their fest.








And before I get the tweets about, "you're mad because you had to cancel the QBC and the Mets Fan Fest sold out!", I am someone that writes a fan advocacy blog and I am just presenting what I see happening to the fans.

Let's read more about the Astro Fest.

The Houston Astros are excited to host our annual FanFest on January 18th from 11:00am - 4:00pm, as we get ready for the 2020 season! A limited number of vouchers will be available the morning of the event.
FanFest is where you can find your favorite players, alumni, and broadcasters! FanFest is the official kick off to the 2020 season and has something fun for the whole family including autograph sessions, photo opportunities, games and more! Astros FanFest is FREE, however, all fans must have an admission voucher to enter FanFest.
Add-on activities require participants to complete a waiver. If you purchased an activity add-on, you must complete the waiver below.
STH Exclusive Benefits
Season Ticket Holders can enjoy the following exclusive benefits at FanFest:
  • Fast Pass lanes at all activities locations (pre-purchased activity vouchers are required for certain activities)
2020 Astros Buddies Exclusive Benefits
2020 Buddies Members will have the following benefits at FanFest:
  • FastPass for Run the Bases
  • Designated Buddies Activity Zone in the Diamond Lot South
Must have your Buddies membership badge displayed for these exclusive benefits.

Current Astros Players Autograph Sessions | $75

Section 231

  • All players scheduled at FanFest will participate in one of three autograph sessions listed below.
  • 11:15am - 12:15pm
  • 12:30pm - 1:30pm
  • 1:45pm - 2:45pm
  • Players for each autograph session will be announced at FanFest on the day of the event.
  • Vouchers are limited. One voucher per person and each voucher is good for four (4) FanFest commemorative baseballs.
  • One autograph per player. FanFest commemorative baseballs are the only items Astros players will sign.

Astros Legends Autograph Session | $40

Section 229

Astros Legends from throughout the history of Astros baseball will participate in one Legends Autograph session.
  • Astros Legends will be announced at FanFest on the day of the event.
  • Vouchers are limited. One voucher per person and each voucher is good for four (4) FanFest commemorative baseballs.
  • One autograph per legend. FanFest commemorative baseball is the only items Astros legends will sign.

Kids Autograph Session, presented by Securian Financial | Free

Section 224

  • Valid for kids 12 and under only.
  • Players will rotate through every 30 minutes.
  • Players are not announced ahead of time. Kids will have the opportunity to get the autograph of the player at the table at the time they reach the front of the line.
  • Autograph rules apply - One autograph card per child per player and posed photographs with players will not be permitted.

Free Autograph Session with Current Players & Astros Legends

Diamond Club

Astros players and Legends will rotate through the Free Autograph Session line every 30 minutes.
  • Players are not announced ahead of time.
  • Fans will have the opportunity to get the autograph of the player at the table at the time they reach the front of the line.
  • Autograph rules apply - One autograph card per fan per player and posed photographs with players will not be permitted.

Important Information for paid Autograph Sessions

  • Purchased Autograph Session vouchers will be uploaded to your ticket account when purchased. Barcodes will not populate on the tickets until an hour before the event. The vouchers can be accessed using the MLB Ballpark app and will be scanned before entering the line.
  • 150 autograph vouchers will be sold per session to ensure that each fan that purchased a voucher will be guaranteed to get through the line. All proceeds benefit the Astros Foundation.
  • Limit two vouchers per person, per transaction. Only one voucher per person.
  • Only one autograph per player
  • Four (4) commemorative baseballs will be provided per voucher. Astros player will only be signing FanFest provided baseballs.
  • Posed photographs with the players will not be permitted.
  • Assigned players will not be announced prior to the sessions.
  • Players will be randomly assigned by lottery to each session.
  • Voucher is only valid for the session that is purchased and is listed on the voucher.
  • Voucher cannot be refunded or exchanged and will not be replaced if lost or stolen.

 FanFest has fun activities for all ages! Please see below the special opportunities that are available for purchase within the Claim Vouchers purchase flow on the main page/FanFest Index.
As a reminder, fans who plan to participate in the below activities must complete the activity waiver below.

Catch in the Outfield | $30
Access via Stairwell at Section 156 across from Shake Shack Bring your glove to play catch in the outfield at Minute Maid Park! Please see below for available times. You will be able to check activity availability when claiming admission vouchers.
  • 11:30am - 12:00pm 
  • 12:15pm - 12:45pm
  • 1:00pm - 1:30pm 
  • 1:45pm - 2:15pm
  • 2:30pm - 3:00pm 
  • 3:15pm - 3:45pm 
Each voucher is valid for two (2) people to play catch in the outfield. Valid only during time slot selected. Proceeds benefit The Astros Foundation. All participants must complete a Liability Release Form at the event.
Swings in the Batting Cages | $20
Access Via the Right Field Gate Ramp
Take a swing in the Astros Batting Cages! Below are the available times for you to sign up to step up to the plate and take some hacks! You will be able to check activity availability when claiming admission vouchers.
-   11:00am - 12:00pm
-   12:00pm - 1:00pm
-   1:00pm - 2:00pm
-   2:00pm - 3:00pm
-   3:00pm - 4:00pm
Valid for five (5) swings. All proceeds benefit The Astros Foundation. All participants must complete a Liability Release Form at the event.
Throws in the Bullpen | $10
Access at Section 132The Astros bullpen will be open for the opportunity to take the mound and throw some strikes. Please see below for all available times. You will be able to check activity availability when claiming admission vouchers.
-   11:00am - 12:00pm
-   12:00pm - 1:00pm
-   1:00pm - 2:00pm
-   2:00pm - 3:00pm
-   3:00pm - 4:00pm
Valid for five (5) throws. All proceeds benefit The Astros Foundation. All participants must complete a Liability Release Form at the event.Clubhouse Tours | $50
Half-hour clubhouse tours will be available at FanFest. These tours will provide exclusive access to see where your Houston Astros get ready for games. You will be able to check activity availability when claiming admission vouchers.
-   11:30am - 12:00pm
-   12:00pm - 12:30pm
-   12:30pm - 1:00pm
-   1:00pm - 1:30pm
-   1:30pm - 2:00pm
-   2:00pm - 2:30pm
-   2:30pm - 3:00pm
-   3:00pm - 3:30pm
Astros FanFest will have fun activities for the entire family! Here is a list of some of the activities that will be available throughout the day:
  • Player Autographs (Free and Paid Voucher Opportunities)*
  • Legends Autographs*
  • Photo Opportunities
  • Fan Forums
  • Clubhouse Tours*
  • Photos in the Dugouts
  • Live Music
  • Arcade Game Zone 
  • Promo Garage Sale
  • Run the Bases
  • Swings in the Batting Cages*
  • Throws in the Bullpen*
  • Catch in the Bullpen
Please note: All activity participants must fill out and sign a waiver in order to participate.
Upon arrival at FanFest, please head to one of the Pre-Signed Waiver Stations on the concourse near the Center Field Gate or Right Field Gate to get your event wristband.

Free Areas within FanFest

Plaza Fest
Join us in the plaza during FanFest where we will have live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, caricaturists, corn hole, and more!
Astros Blood Drive
Houston Astros Blood Drive presented by Houston Methodist
Location: Minute Maid Park, Union Station, 2nd Floor
Arcade Game Zone
Union Station will host an arcade game zone with air hockey, videogames, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, and more! 
Family Fun Zone
Diamond Lot South will be home to many interactive activities such as inflatables, a vendor expo, face painting, caricature artsits, a DJ, and more! 
AT&T SportsNet Booth
Stop by the AT&T SportsNet Center Field Broadcast Booth during FanFest for your chance to meet the on-air talent, get an autograph, snag a picture at the SportsNet Pre-Game Show desk, and even score some AT&T SportsNet swag! Located on the concourse in the Budweiser Brew House.
*Paid activity. Not included with admission to FanFest
Wow. That seems like a huge money grab. Free to get in but a lot of add ons.
If I was in Houston, I don't think I would be excited to go.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)