FanFest a hit
With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, Phoenix provided a toasty setting for the 82nd annual All-Star Game. Fortunately for baseball enthusiasts, the FanFest was held in the air-conditioned Phoenix Convention Center, and the game and home run derby took place in roof-covered Chase Field.
Fans flocked to the FanFest to shop for memorabilia, partake in interactive games and snap photos with baseball trophies. They took their hacks in batting cages, toured a replica All-Star clubhouse and learned how to signal as umpires do.
Pioneer female baseball players Maybelle Blair, Shirley Burkovich, Katie Horstman and Dolly Brumfield signed autographs. The blue Tucson Padres hat, which shows a swinging friar, hung on a wall displaying caps of all the teams' minor-league affiliates. Kids also ran under hurdles and around barrels in a "Desert Challenge" and sat before a camera to try their hand broadcasting.
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Wearing a gray and black Tucson Sidewinders jersey, T.M. Spence, 56, drove from Tucson to FanFest. He and Lynn Stewart, 53, brought pennies to be stamped with the All-Star and Arizona Diamondbacks imprints.
"This is interesting," said Spence. "He's like a kid in a candy store," said Stewart, who was looking forward to seeing Diamondbacks All-Star selections Justin Upton and Miguel Montero, as well as St. Louis Cardinals players. The pair said they didn't mind the heat outside. "Define heat," Stewart said.
About that weather
Officially, the temperature for first pitch was 99 degrees outside, 72 inside the ballpark. Some fans found shelter in the shade during the midday red carpet show that showcased the All-Stars.
By the numbers
1
Number of MLB All-Star Games played in Arizona
26
Cities that have hosted the event before Phoenix
A Tucson touch
The pregame festivities had a Tucson connection. Families of victims of the Jan. 8 shootings were recognized, and a moment of silence was held. The names of the six killed were presented on the video board.
The family of the youngest victim, Christina-Taylor Green, took the field. U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords intern Daniel Hernandez, who is credited for helping save Giffords' life, threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Arizona native Jordin Sparks, an "American Idol" winner, sang the national anthem, and Michelle Branch, who is from Sedona, sang "God Bless America."
Some mixed feelings
Fans expressed their wish that Upton should have been included in the home run derby Monday, cheered for the local All-Star Tuesday. Upton said he appreciated the support, but said the fans were "a little bit rough" on other players. Fans booed the Brewers' Prince Fielder, who selected his three-member NL team, and teammate Rickie Weeks.
"That's always tough," Upton said. "They shouldn't have gone after them. They should've kept it positive and cheered for me, but the support was awesome."
The host with the most
Before he participated in Tuesday's red carpet show and game, Upton attended the first MLB All-Star FanFest wedding. Upton was a special guest at the wedding of Joe Curiale and Dolly West of Humble, Texas. Upton wore a pink shirt and white blazer and shared his congratulations. Celebrity judges selected the couple from a pool of fans who submitted videos.
More numbers
16
Players who were selected for the game but opted not to play, including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera, all of the New York Yankees
35
First-time All-Stars, including Montero
Sarah Trotto
