Celebrity Autographs And Celebrity Addresses

'Baseball fever is in the air'
Fans turn out for the fun-filled annual Winter Warm-Up
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com


Unlike a normal baseball Saturday at Ameriquest Field, this time the fans were on the diamond. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)



ARLINGTON -- The sun had broken through at Ameriquest Field as 10-year-old baseball enthusiast Kyle Treta of Southlake lived the dream.
There he was, shagging fly balls in left field of the Rangers' home stadium. With a machine positioned on the left-field line to propel balls high into the air, Kyle could take a few steps, pound his mitt and feel as though he were David Dellucci or Kevin Mench taking care of business for Texas in a Major League game.

"Fun," Kyle said. "Really fun."

A lot of Rangers fans were as happy as Kyle during a whirlwind baseball adventure on Saturday. The Texas Winter Warm-Up served to whet the baseball appetite with the Rangers just 11 days from the beginning of Spring Training.

"Baseball fever is in the air," said Rich Treta, who snapped pictures of son Kyle as the youngster was patrolling left field. "For the fans, this is really the first day of it."

Rangers fans had plenty of keep them busy during the Winter Warm-Up. There was numerous activities in the Coca-Cola Sports Park, and the little ones could even get Rangers tattoos if they and their parents so desired. Fans gathered periodically for tours of the stadium and chalk talks with Rangers personnel, including American League Manager of the Year Buck Showalter.

There was shopping to do, refreshments to be consumed and autographs to be sought. Not far from the main entrance, Hall of Fame right-hander Ferguson Jenkins was available for autographs and several current Rangers players also were present to sign for their fans.

"I love coming out for this because baseball is my sport," said J.R. Todd of Fort Worth. "This type of thing gets everybody ready and anxious for Spring Training and the start of a new season. I haven't missed an Opening Day in about 20 years."

The Rangers, who will have pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training on Feb. 16, won't play their home opener until April 11. Texas will open the regular season with a six-game road trip against the Angels and Mariners. Thus, the opportunity on Saturday to rub shoulders with the players was the last for many Rangers fans over a two-month span.

Michael and Nicole Judd of Fort Worth are big baseball fans, although Nicole has a strong allegiance to the Red Sox after living in Boston for a while. Husband Michael is a Rangers fan through and through.

"I've been ready since last season was over," Michael Judd said. "The core of young players that the Rangers have is going to be awesome. They just need to grow. They need to worry less about winning this year than winning for the long run.

"I'm glad they didn't go for the quick fix deal this offseason. We tried that in the past and it didn't work. I'm all on board with taking it step by step. We made a big move last year. Now, we just need to keep it going in a positive direction."

If the Rangers and Red Sox were to meet in the playoffs, Michael and Nicole Judd would be totally thrilled.

"You'd probably have to move in with your mom," Michael Judd kiddingly told his wife.

"No, you with yours," Nicole retorted.

By early afternoon, many fans were still exploring Ameriquest Field while the Rangers were in the Diamond Club having lunch and handing out awards for 2004. The honorees included former public relations chief John Blake (Good Guy Award), Kameron Loe (Minor League Pitcher of the Year), Ian Kinsler (Minor League Player of the Year), Chan Ho Park (Community Service Award), Frank Francisco (Rookie of the Year), Francisco Cordero (Pitcher of the Year), Michael Young (Player of the Year) and Showalter (AL Manager of the Year).

The Rangers will do the throwing and catching at Ameriquest Field in a couple of months. But on Saturday, it was a field of dreams for their young fans.

As much as he enjoyed catching popups in left field, Kyle Treta said his favorite activity of the day was throwing off the mound in the Rangers bullpen.

"With a little more practice, maybe you'll be out there yourself," Rich Treta gently said to his son.

"Some day," Kyle Treta responded. "Some day."