The Rays' annual FanFest "will be different this year -- with a new date, a changed format and fewer players participating," according to Marc Topkin of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Due to a "series of scheduling issues, the Rays are staging the FanFest on Feb. 4," which is before the start of Spring Training rather than during camp. As a result, many of their players "won't yet be in the area and won't attend; a preliminary list released Wednesday had only 16 confirmed players." Typically the Rays "hold the FanFest on a Saturday" early in Spring Training. The other "big change is that the current Rays only will be signing autographs for existing season ticket holders." Season-ticket holders will "pay $100 for autographs from three players, with proceeds [going] to charity." General fans can "get autographs at no charge" from a group of about 40 former MLBers. The Rays have been "trying for several years to shift the focus away from autographs, given the long wait times fans have and occasional disappointment" (TAMPABAY.com, 1/25).
PAYING TRIBUTE: In K.C., Pete Grahoff noted the Royals are "giving grieving fans a chance to remember" late P Yordano Ventura, who died in a car crash last weekend, at their FanFest, which begins Friday. A memorial to Ventura will be "located in an area just as fans enter Bartle Hall at the Convention Center." This area will "have a signature wall for fans to sign, and a pitcher’s mound in the center of this area, which will also include a framed Ventura game-worn jersey and video boards showing Ventura highlights." Both days of FanFest will "start with a moment of silence to honor Ventura." The FanFest memorial "will serve as the main tribute to Ventura" (K.C. STAR, 1/26). Manager Ned Yost and 21 players are "expected to take part" (K.C. STAR, 1/27).
