Oakland A's FanFest

I love sports. Always have. I had a chance to go to the Oakland Athletics FanFest (with my Mom no less) and had a great time. The A's look like they are going to have an excellent team this year.
Oakland A's FanFest 2006 activities included autograph sessions; question and answer sessions with A's players, coaches and front office staff; "Baseball: 101", a clinic hosted by A's management, coaches and players that taught fans the fundamentals of the game; a behind the scenes tour of the A's clubhouse, weight room, umpire's room and home dugout; the sale of over 500 game worn jerseys from current and former players; music, food and interactive games for children. Over 35 A's players and coaches were expected to be in attendance (not sure if they all showed up) including Manager Ken Macha, Bob Geren, Rene Lachemann, Gerald Perry, Ron Washington and Curt Young along with players Huston Street, Bobby Crosby, Mark Kotsay, Rich Harden, Jason Kendall, Esteban Loaiza, Milton Bradley, Nick Swisher, Joe Blanton, Justin Duchscherer, Mark Ellis, Dan Haren, Dan Johnson, Bobby Kielty, Adam Melhuse and Dan Meyer among others. In addition, former A's players Dennis Eckersley, Ray Fosse and Billy North were in attendance.
Oakland A's FanFest 2006, the largest A's charitable event, benefited the Oakland A's Community Fund and the Cure Autism Now Foundation. A's players and coaches were wearing "Athletes Against Autism" caps in support of the cause. Cure Autism Now is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and funding autism research and accelerating the pace of scientific progress toward effective treatments and a cure. The organization is one of the largest private funders of biomedical research in autism, providing more than $20 million for research grants, outreach and scientific resources since its inception in 1995.

It was a great time for all and for a great cause.

Mark Harvey
Oakland Athletics Fan