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Sports

Hounds Fetch Huge Crowd

FanFest kicks off new baseball teams commitment to the community.

If there was an inkling of doubt that Loudoun wants a baseball team, fans put that notion to rest Sunday at the Loudoun Hounds FanFest. An estimated 9,800 baseball enthusiasts descended on Stone Bridge High School in high spirits and with wild curiosity about the new team.

In July 2009, after a decade-long push for a professional baseball team in Loudoun County, county supervisors approved the concept for a stadium that allowed the Hounds to start coordinating the team. Since then, excitement has grown and FanFest lured fans of all ages. 

Erin Burns brought her 5-monh-old baby, Bobby Burns, to see what the Hounds were all about. “He’s a big baseball fan,” she explained.

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Another fan, Roger Sultan, brought his two daughters because they “wanted to see the Hound dog.”

Paula Kukulich she she couldn't wait to able to take the kids to a game.

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“We like minor league baseball," she said, contrasting anticipated local Loudoun games with far off, more expensive Major League Baseball games in Baltimore and DC. "It’s less expensive, great for the kids, closer to home and you’re able to get closer to the field."

Tammy and Keith Cooperman, a self-described baseball family, promise to go to the games because “it is a family activity that is also great for the kids.”

While the Hounds won't play their first game until next year, FanFest offered plenty of other activities for kids, both young and old, Sunday. Stone Bridge's main gymnasium housed the “Kids Zone” where event planners staged a moon bounce, batting and pitching contests, a coloring corner, face painting, balloon animals, and much more.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office offered a fingerprinting and identification station for the kids, while the popular local high school band the A+ Dropouts played live rock music throughout the day.

Perhaps the most exciting event to take place in the Kids Zone was the mascot unveiling. Donning a white jersey, the Hounds mascot greeted fans and revealed his name new name, “Fetch,” which local kids helped name in a coloring contest. 

For the grown-up kids, the auditorium and auxiliary gym were the places to be. Throughout the day, baseball stars Cecil Fielder, Boog Powell, Bobby Richardson and many others signed autographs for eager fans. On the auditorium stage, transformed into a cozy lounge, many of these stars spent time discussing topics of interest to baseball aficionados.

The Buffalo Wing Factory held a wing-eating contest, while Big League Chew put on a bubble gum blowing contest. A silent auction enabled fans to bid on precious baseball memorabilia. Official Hounds merchandise was also on sale and team representatives provided information about ticket sales and luxury suites.

The Hounds are slated to begin play in 2012. The ballpark, known as the Dog Yard, will be located at the southwest corner of the Rt. 28/Rt. 7 intersection, directly east of the Dulles Town Center. 

According to Hounds spokesman Steven Tricarico, it was the team’s hope that “everyone will have this event on their calendar year after year,” and if this year was any indication, it appears that FanFest will become a tradition that Loudoun looks forward to.

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