Arizona Diamondbacks fans should be getting giddy about two events happening during the 1st week of February 2009.  The 1st is the annual Hometown Tour Caravan.  The 2nd event, the DBacks FanFest 2009, occurs the day after the Hometown Tour.  What a week!

1st Event – Hometown Tour Caravan

The Caravan will be going through several cities and locations in Arizona from Thursday, February 5, 2009 through February 6, 2009.

The notable players that will be in attendance (at various times and location):

• Justin Upton
• Stephen Drew
• Jay Bell
• Mark Grace
• Doug Davis
• Miguel Montero
• Max Scherzer
• Matt Williams
• Bench coach Kirk Gibson
• Mark Reynolds
• Reggie Sanders
• Omar Daal

Click here for the full schedule.

Needless to say, the first leg of the tour taking place at Flagstaff Mall is the most notable.  Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, and Mark Grace signing at once in one location is insane and a tremendous opportunity.  Remember these tours are almost always free, but get ready for the extremely long lines.  Read the helpful tips section before going.

2nd Event – Diamondbacks FanFest

WHEN:  Saturday, February 7, 2009
WHERE: Chase Field
401 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
COST:  FREE

Highlights of the fan fest include:

• Autograph and photo sessions
• Clubhouse tours
• Arizona DBacks Foundation yard sale
• Silent auction
• Baseball skills area and speed pitch
• Sports card and memorabilia show

Now onto the information you really care about, the players scheduled to attend:

• Justin Upton
• Chris Young
• Stephen Drew
• Dan Haren
• Conor Jackson
• Doug Davis
• Chad Tracy
• Mark Reynolds
• Miguel Montero
• Augie Ojeda
• Chris Snyder
• Max Scherzer
• Manager Bob Melvin
• Omar Daal
• Jay Bell
• Reggie Sanders
• Matt Williams

The attendance to Dbacks Fanfest 2009 is free, but it is unclear whether the autographs will also be free.  I doubt that the autographs will be free, but I could be dead wrong.  I just cannot see any organization hosting this type of sports gathering, allowing fans to get in for free, then being able to obtain free autographs of probably the most promising group of young stars in the majors.  Maybe the Dbacks organization is just unique?  Anyway, the group of guests scheduled to appear is phenomenal – the top 5 names I listed are the cream of the crop and one of the most promising group of young stars scheduled to be starters on any team.  Even if you have to pay per autograph, I can’t imagine it will cost more than $20 per player/autograph as none of the players are proven.  Even at that price, it would be worth it.

What a week for Dbacks fans indeed.