Redsfest XI

[hairmetalfreek]

Has anyone been to Redsfest in the past? This will be my first time going. I was wondering about the autograph sessions...do they charge for those?

[hairmetalfreek]

Just as a follow-up, I received a response from one of the employees at the Reds HOF...he said there is no charge for the autographs.

[Tampa Bay Giants]

If you want any of the top named players, expect a long, long line and the possibility of getting cut out if they have stayed their allotted time.

[gman5431]

I've never been either but a couple of people i know have. They said you can get better autographs in Spring Training without the waits and you dont feel like you are in a meat market.

G Man

[NineWorldSeries]

Is Redsfest worth the three-hour round trip from Columbus, or should I save my gas money for the Spring when they are actually playing?

[gman5431]

Is Redsfest worth the three-hour round trip from Columbus, or should I save my gas money for the Spring when they are actually playing?

I'm the biggest baseball fan you will ever meet and i live 10 minutes from downtown. I am not going. I will see them play in Spring Training and cant wait. That should be your answer, at least from me, it is.

G Rizzle

[NineWorldSeries]

OK - thanks! That's pretty much what I thought.

[icee82]

I was planning to attend last year and make the ten hour drive from NC. However my father in law became very ill and we were unable to make the trip. Afterwards I was glad. I heard that autographs were almost impossible to obtain. I am going to wait until the Caravan and see who attends. Last year, Ryan Freel, Jay Bruce, Dusty Baker, Thom Brennaman, and Jeff Brantley were on the Southern leg of the trip in Charleston, WV. Also the Reds just signed a minor league affilation agreement with the Carolina Mudcats. They are playing an exhibition game in Zebulon on April 3 and I was one of the first people to purchase tickets. I am planning to spend the day in Zebulon and try to get autos as they enter the park and leave the park.

[hairmetalfreek]

I don't have the financial option to go to Florida for spring training, and only live a few minutes from downtown Cincinnati, so it's a no-brainer for me to go to the Redsfest. I know there will be long lines for Bruce, Votto, Volquez...but hoping not so much for O'Toole, Soto, Billingham, etc.

[gman5431]

I was planning to attend last year and make the ten hour drive from NC. However my father in law became very ill and we were unable to make the trip. Afterwards I was glad. I heard that autographs were almost impossible to obtain. I am going to wait until the Caravan and see who attends. Last year, Ryan Freel, Jay Bruce, Dusty Baker, Thom Brennaman, and Jeff Brantley were on the Southern leg of the trip in Charleston, WV. Also the Reds just signed a minor league affilation agreement with the Carolina Mudcats. They are playing an exhibition game in Zebulon on April 3 and I was one of the first people to purchase tickets. I am planning to spend the day in Zebulon and try to get autos as they enter the park and leave the park.

Man, that sounds like a great day, the game in Zebulon. I did happen to see that on their schedule. I always like when the major league club makes visits to their minor league affliates on the way north, and that one definately makes sense as they are new to the organization. My thought is that obtaining autos there will be much easier then Redsfest and will be a better time as well as it will be an actual baseball game. Dont think most of the stars will play more than a couple innings as its just before Opening Day.

G Rizzle

[gman5431]

I don't have the financial option to go to Florida for spring training, and only live a few minutes from downtown Cincinnati, so it's a no-brainer for me to go to the Redsfest. I know there will be long lines for Bruce, Votto, Volquez...but hoping not so much for O'Toole, Soto, Billingham, etc.

Yeah, i feel you, going down to ST is not cheap. I save all winter for it. Anyways, report back and let us know how it goes. Thanks,

G Rizzle

[Tampa Bay Giants]

And when the Reds move to Arizona, it will be really strange, and expensive.

[hairmetalfreek]

Just got back...had a blast, and my feet are killing me now. My son and I were able to get several sigs, and there were free cards all around the convention center. Plus I picked up some Chris Sabo cards I didn't have for a nickel each. All in all, a good day. I've posted scans of some of the autographs and all of the free cards on my blog... The Writers' Journey (http://thewritersjourney.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/my-redsfest-adventure/).

[icee82]

I got Votto and Bruce two summers ago when they were in Durham. Of course I scored Bruce again last winter on the Reds Caravan in Charleston, WV. I do not have Cueto because he was in Louisville for a cup of coffee before moving to the Reds. Most of the younger players that played in Louisville, I caught them at Durham, NC which is about 1 1/2 hours from me. In fact, I caught Homer twice. He was a jerk once and the second time he was pretty cool. I actually got Maloney through the mail yesterday and he inscribed his record both seasons that he won 20 games on the ball as well which I had requested. I sent him a baseball about three months ago and he sent it back unsigned. I dropped $5.00 in the envelope this time and he signed!!! Cardenas is one that has escaped me for a long time. I know that he charges TTM. Carroll used to be pretty good through the mail but I have heard that he is tough. I let Mario Soto walk right by me in Durham two summers ago. I am still kicking myself on that one. I have gotten O'Toole through the mail several times. Tommy Helms does not sign TTM from what I understand so he is one that you have to catch in person. I got Billingham when he was the pitching coach for the Martinsville Astros many years ago. That is near my hometown and I was up in that area to see my parents. However I still plan to attend RedsFest one of these years. I do not mind the crowds but the long lines work on my patience especially when there are multiple autograph guests signing at the same time and you are wanting to get both.