Tribe Fest moves to convention center this year

Tribe Fest has a new “home field.”

The sixth edition of the Cleveland Indians’ annual winter showcase will take place on Jan. 20 at the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland.

Upward of 10,000 fans are expected for two sessions of the ticketed event previously staged at Progressive Field from 2013 to 2015, Aloft Cleveland Hotel in 2016 and Cleveland Clinic’s Intercontinental Hotel in 2017.

“With the size of the Tribe Fest crowd constantly growing, this was the logical next step,” Indians assistant director of communications Joel Hammond said of the move to the 200,000-square-foot convention center that opened in 2013.

As has been the case at all the previous stagings of Tribe Fest, the main attraction will be opportunities for fans to meet current and former Indians players, popular manager Terry Francona and selected team executives.

Current players scheduled to make appearances are Cody Allen, Greg Allen, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor greets fans during 2017 Tribe Fest.

Yonder Alonso, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger, Yandy Diaz, Yan Gomes, Nick Goody, Brandon Guyer, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Zach McAllister, Francisco Mejia. Andrew Miller, Tyler Olson,

Dan Otero, Jose Ramirez, Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin and Bradley Zimmer.

Geneva native Brian Anderson, Marquis Grissom and Sam McDowell are the former players scheduled to attend.

“This new venue is huge and will offer more opportunities for fans to interact with players and enjoy the various Tribe Fest attractions,” Hammond said.

As of Jan. 11, general admission tickets still were available for the 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. session for season-ticket holders and the 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. session for the general public. Prices are $5 and $10, respectively.

Tickets guaranteeing access to autograph sessions with players were available in limited numbers as of this writing. They cost $35 for current players and $30 for alumni. Check indians. com/TribeFest for availability. In recent years, many Tribe Fest patrons crossing paths with players were more inclined to request “selfie” photos than autographs.

“The players will be on tight schedules, but there is no harm in asking (to take a selfie),” Hammond said. “That will be up to the players and their handlers.”

Other attractions at this year’s Tribe Fest are: a 90foot baseball diamond offering appearances by players and instruction from members of the Indians Youth Baseball Development staff; Speed Pitch booth; batting cages; bunting challenge.

Hammond said ballparkstyle food and beverages will be available at various stations on the exhibit floor.

COURTESY CLEVELAND INDIANS