Mariners Fan Fest

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One of the great things about Baseball Road Trips is that they have evolved since I first started doing them back in 2007. It started with strict adherence to baseball games and games only. I wanted to see as much baseball as I could within the shortest span of time. However, as I have become wiser and more experienced, Road Trips have become more about the overall experience with the baseball game being the premise, but existing in the system as a whole.

This first trip can codify that statement perfectly. It really isn't a baseball game, per se, but rather a unique experience where the underlying theme is baseball. On Sunday, I will travel on the train up to Safeco Field in Seattle and attend the 2013 Mariners Fan Fest. This is the first time I have ever done this and I am very curious to see how it goes.

From what I can tell, Fan Fest seems like a real "rah-rah" event to try and get people excited for the season and entice them to buy season tickets. While I am not a huge Mariners fan and I have no desire to buy season tickets, I was sold on going by the book The Baseball Fan's Bucket List. In this book, it said that a Fan Fest was an experience that every true baseball fan had to do. And, judging by what is in store for the Mariners Fan Fest, the prophecy in the book may very well be true.

According to the Mariners website, there will be an autograph session, a question-and-answer with ownership, players, and field staff, tours of the stadium and clubhouse, concession sampling, catch in the outfield, zip-lining over the stadium, and various virtual games. It sounds like a carnival atmosphere designed for fun, but it is all about the experience and keeping an open mind about what I see.

I have been to many Mariners games before, but I haven't done something attached to the organization. If anything, I am getting Baseball Extravaganza 2013 started off in a unique way that may set the tone for a fun and whirlwind season.

I am constantly updating Twitter, Facebook, and FourSquare while on any Road Trip, so that will be the best way to keep tabs on what I am doing real time. I usually have a direct feed from my Twitter page on the side of this blog, so I will get to working on that before I leave. As for the blog, I will update once I get back into town. It is just a one day up-and-back, so look for something on Monday.

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)