#FanCave30, We’re Halfway There
To say that being a part of the MLB Fan Cave Top 30 is amazing would be a gross understatement. The people are spectacular, the MLB team is phenomenal, and the experience is something that a baseball fan couldn’t even fathom. Here’s a recap of one of the most ridiculously fun days in the history of mankind. That’s a lot of days.
There was no better way to get to know some of the fellow contestants than by warming up with a catch by the pool. Thankfully only the baseballs ended up in the drink a couple times and not us.
Next came a magic bus that Miss Frizzle would be jealous of to take us to Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Chase Field would be where all of the exciting things would happen.
I hunted down a Miguel Montero picture and reminded everyone that Jason Heyward is the true face of MLB. When the Fan Cave 30 arrived, we were whisked away to a suite where we met MLB’s Executive VP for Business Tim Brosnan. He gave us quite a pep talk and I think if you weren’t ready to go by then, you were ready to impress now. The Fan Cave 30 also met with Jeremy Brisiel from MLB.com who is the “master of ceremonies” for the top 30 experience.
I had one of the earlier interview times and met with the entire MLB team about my campaign so far. It’s a little nerve-wracking knowing you have fifteen minutes of time to really drive home why you should be heading to New York City.
From there, I was lucky to be chosen to go down to the Diamondbacks dugout where I would do a quick interview with Greg Amsinger from MLB Network. He was looking quite dapper as always and agreed to follow me when he caves and signs up for Twitter finally. Amsinger did give me the unfortunate question of “If you’re on an island with Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz and could only save one, who do you save?” Glavine and Smoltz, you’re two of my favorite players, but I had to save “The Professor” Greg Maddux.
Next was the one of the big events, the elevator pitch. The potential Cave Dwellers get one minute to show why they should be heading to 4th and Broadway. Video should be available on MLBFanCave.com soon enough, but I’m happy to report that I nailed what I wanted to say.
Afterwards, it was time for the first big group project. The New Wave entertainment team had prepared a baseball song parody of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from “Les Miserables”. The Fan Cave 30 bounced all around Chase Field to complete it and I can’t wait to see it premiere around Oscars time!
It was time for the main event. The one contest where I knew I could shine, trivia! We were broken up into five teams and I was joined by Nick Mendillo, Jay Tuohey, Christine Lorigo, and Ben Wietmarschen. I can humbly say, I dominated, even knowing that Eric Bruntlett was the last player to turn an unassisted triple play. There was one team that matched us question for question. We both nailed the final question of the four teams that don’t have a mascot (Yankees, Cubs, Angels, and Dodgers). We lost on the tiebreak though, where we were only able to name 3 of the 5 teams that MLB Network’s Eric Byrnes played for.
The night was rounded out with stirring renditions of karaoke ranging from Celine Dion to N’Sync to The Killers. We ended the night with the karaoke classic, “Sweet Home Alabama”.
The entire day was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and as I type I’m getting up to head to Goodyear, Arizona the spring training home of the Indians and Reds. Let’s see what today holds! Keep checking out #FanCave30 on Twitter and follow me @IAmMapes. Thanks for your support!
-Bryan Mapes
Three Up, Three Down 