Sea of red, white and blue at Indians Fanfest

Updated Friday, January 25, 2008 - 2:18pm by Guest

Location 

Kalahari Waterpark Resort

Kalahari hit it out of the ballpark hosting this year’s Indians Fanfest event.

Hundreds turned out for the four-hour event that delighted fans and raised money for United Way of Erie County. Nearly 1,000 tickets were sold.

From Port Clinton to Berlin Heights, fans came out dressed in their best Indians gear to catch a glimpse of the baseball stars.

Caleb Moore, 10, of Berlin Heights has played baseball for six years and said he loves the game and the Indians.

“I was hoping to meet some of the players and get an autograph,” he said.

Jared Matso, 14, of Norwalk tucked a mitt inside his sweatshirt, hoping to have it autographed by the players.
“I love the Indians,” said Jared’s friend, 17-year-old Kenny Schmuhl.

“Pretty much everyone does,” Matso said.

Lucas Colvin, 11, of Sandusky said he would be happy meeting any of the players.

Curtis Danburg, Cleveland Indians’ director of communications and creative services, said the organization was pleased to be part of the interactive event at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center.

“We’re excited to be at Kalahari ... and reach out to fans in this area,” he said.

The Indians organization donated several items to auction for the local chapter of the United Way including a framed, autographed Grady Sizemore Sports Illustrated cover, club seats to a home game against the Kansas City Royals and an autographed Rafael Betancourt jersey.

“It’s our way of helping thecommunity ... to impact that charity,” Danburg said.

A caricaturist’s donation, a50-50 raffle drawing and a live auction benefited the local chapter.

Jack Haplea, former director and volunteer for the United Way, said the event’s fundraisers took in $3,000 for the organization.

“I’m so, so pleased,” he said. “This was probably one of the more successful press tours.”

Others also benefited from the event Wednesday evening.

PitchTrack president Chuck Rupp debuted his new pitching device, which was recently voted “Best in Show” at the American Baseball Coaches Association’s convention in Philadelphia and “Best New Product” at the 2007 Major League Baseball trade show. Many people lined up to test the invention, which detects velocity, location and movement of a pitch.

It also received a positive nod from the Indians organization.

Indians pitching coach Carl Willis spoke briefly with Rupp Wednesday about his invention.

“It really looked interesting,” Willis said. “It really was quite amazing.”

The Indians players in attendance — right-handed pitcher Rafael Betancourt, left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey and minor league player Jordan Brown — said they were impressed with Kalahari Resort. The event was their first time inside America’s largest indoor waterpark.

“This place is unbelievable,” Laffey said.

“If this ends early, I’m going to buy some trunks,” echoed Brown.

Betancourt, who is married with two kids, said the setting would make for an ideal weekend.

“Maybe I will try to do it before spring training,” he said. “I’d like to come and spend a couple days with my family here.”

The event was presented by SportsRadio Sandusky 1450-AM WLEC and Victory Honda of Sandusky. This is the 60th year 1450-AM WLEC has partnered with the Indians.

“They’re the ones who drive (Fanfest),” Danburg said.