Orioles release information on FanFest autograph stations

The Orioles are mixing their glorious past with what they're hoping is going to become a promising future while announcing the autograph stations for their annual FanFest on Jan. 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray and Jim Palmer will sign for fans, the latter appearing at two of the three stations. Robinson and Murray were hired as special advisors last summer.

Former Orioles Rick Dempsey, Boog Powell and Mike Bordick also will participate.

Manager Brandon Hyde will sign at Station 2 between 2-3 p.m.

First baseman Chris Davis will sign at Station 1 between 12:40-1:40 p.m. and again at Station 2 between 3:20-4:20 p.m. Outfielder Mark Trumbo will sign at Station 1 between 2-3 p.m. and at Station 2 from 11:20-12:20 p.m.

The event mainly will feature the younger group of players who already have broken into the majors or are sitting on the cusp, including David Hess, Cedric Mullins, DJ Stewart, Chance Sisco, Austin Hays, Luis Ortiz, Hunter Harvey, Evan Phillips, Dillon Tate, Keegan Akin, Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan McKenna, DL Hall and Rule 5 pick Richie Martin.

Veteran starters Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb aren't on the list. Cashner told me yesterday that he has a previous commitment set long before the FanFest date became finalized and he regrets that he can't be there.

FanFest also will include the popular kids' press conferences, Q&A sessions, games, memorabilia and more. Doors open at 10 a.m. for Birdland Membership holders and 11 a.m. to the general public.

The autograph policy duplicates the policy of the last several years and is designed to support youth charitable endeavors through OriolesREACH, as well as enhance the fan experience with shortened wait times. Children ages 4-14 will have a specially designated "Kids Only" player autograph station, which is free of charge and operates continuously throughout the day.

All other autograph stations at FanFest will require the advance purchase of autograph vouchers, with all of the proceeds to benefit children's charities through OriolesREACH.

Here are the stations:

Station 1
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Mychal Givens, David Hess, Evan Phillips
11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Richard Bleier, Brooks Robinson, DJ Stewart
12:40 p.m.-1:40 p.m.: Chris Davis, Cedric Mullins, Jonathan Villar
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Renato Núñez, Joey Rickard, Mark Trumbo, Mike Wright Jr.
3:20 p.m.-4:20 p.m.: Rick Dempsey, Chance Sisco, Jonathan Villar
4:40 p.m.-5:40 p.m.: Keegan Akin, DL Hall, Richie Martin, Boog Powell

Station 2
11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Mike Bordick, Dylan Bundy, Mark Trumbo
12:40 p.m.-1:40 p.m.: Eddie Murray, Tanner Scott, Austin Wynns
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Mychal Givens, Austin Hays, Brandon Hyde
3:20 p.m.-4:20 p.m.: Chris Davis, Ryan Mountcastle, Yefry Ramírez
4:40 p.m.-5:40 p.m.: Paul Fry, Hunter Harvey, Ryan McKenna, Jim Palmer

Station 3
11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Rick Dempsey, Trey Mancini, Dillon Tate
12:40 p.m.-1:40 p.m.: Dylan Bundy, David Hess, Jim Palmer
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Richard Bleier, Mike Bordick, Trey Mancini
3:20 p.m.-4:20 p.m.: Miguel Castro, Cedric Mullins, Tanner Scott
4:40 p.m.-5:40 p.m.: Donnie Hart, Luis Ortiz, Joey Rickard, Jimmy Yacabonis

Spring training tickets for the 17 games played at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota go on sale Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.

It's recommended that fans purchase tickets online. The Orioles will offer a special 36-hour online presale from Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. to Jan. 24 at 10 p.m. to fans subscribing to the free digital Sarasota 365 Newsletter or Warehouse Wire.

The exhibition opener is Feb. 23 against the Twins.

The Orioles also will honor the one millionth fan to attend a spring training game since they relocated from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota in 2010. Go to orioles.com/spring for more information.

"The Orioles have welcomed more than 985,000 fans over our first nine major league spring training seasons in Sarasota," Greg Bader, the Orioles' vice president of communications and marketing, said in a statement.

"This figure has far surpassed original projections and is a testament to the tremendous support we receive both locally and among our fans who make the trip to Sarasota each spring, as well as the outstanding fan experience we offer at Ed Smith Stadium. We will reach the 'One Millionth Fan' milestone faster than any franchise in Sarasota's near century-long spring training history."

One fan will be selected at random on the day that the milestone is reached, most likely on opening weekend. The "One Millionth Fan" will receive a $5,000 shopping experience at Diamond Vault in Sarasota, two spring training season tickets for five years, and more.

Fans interested in season tickets, five-game flex-plans or group tickets, or those wishing to receive additional spring training ticket information, should call the Orioles spring office at 941-893-6312.

To receive an invitation to buy individual game tickets before they go on sale to the general public, fans can sign up for the Sarasota 365 Newsletter and Warehouse Wire at Orioles.com/newsletter.

Individual game tickets can be purchased at Ed Smith Stadium or by phone at 800-745-3000.

The report date for pitchers and catchers has been moved up a day to Feb. 12. Position players are due Feb. 17, with the first full-squad workout the following day.