The A's are "doubling down on Oakland," as the club is "promising an announcement on a location for a baseball-only stadium in the city" by the end of the year, according to John Hickey of the EAST BAY TIMES. A's P Sean Doolittle said, "Oakland is making a comeback, and I think the organization wants to be part of that." Meanwhile, the A's on Saturday held their FanFest at Jack London Square on the Oakland waterfront for the "first time in well over a decade" (EAST BAY TIMES, 1/29). In S.F., Susan Slusser wrote under the header, "Lots Of Goodwill, Excitement At A's Jack London Square FanFest." An estimated 15,000 fans attended the event. A's fan Debbie Rose said, "Best FanFest ever. The best accessibility, I got to see all my favorite players. It feels like they put A’s fans first. I’m starting to feel hopeful about things." A's President Dave Kaval "earned rave reviews from fans for making the event free and for moving the event" from the Oakland Alameda-County Coliseum to a location near downtown. The site had "more than a few in attendance thinking about" a ballpark nearby (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/29). In Oakland, Daniel Mano reported viable options for an A’s ballpark site are "down to four." Kaval, appearing on MLB Network on Thursday, said the sites are "all in Oakland, but they are in different locations." Kaval: "Baseball needs some new energy, and I think Oakland can be kind of the shining star for that new model" (EAST BAY TIMES, 1/28).
REASONS FOR HOPE? In S.F., John Shea wrote expectations are "low again" for the A's this season. There will be "more sparse crowds at the Coliseum," coupled with lower payrolls "caused by tinier revenue-sharing checks." There is "momentum" for a new ballpark but "still no site, timetable or financing plan." But from the "gloom and doom, there's hope and faith." A's C Stephen Vogt said, "We will surprise people." Vogt's comments seem to be a "team-wide sentiment" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/29). Meanwhile, attendance for the Dodgers' free fan festival at Dodger Stadium on Saturday was a "record" 28,967 (L.A. TIMES, 1/29).
