Frequently Asked Questions 2014 Fantasy Camp

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions 2014 Fantasy Camp General Q: What is the Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camp? A: The Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camp is a week-long baseball camp for men and women over 30 years of age taking place January 18-25, All proceeds from camp will benefit Cleveland Indians Charities (CIC). Participants will spend a week playing and talking baseball alongside numerous former Indians greats at the team s new Player Development Complex in Goodyear, AZ. Physical activity is required, as there is a seven-game schedule which culminates with a Championship Game. Teams will also play a game against the pros. Q: What is the average age and skill level of a Fantasy Camp participant? A: The majority of campers fall within the age range of mid 40s to mid 60s. While the skill level is obviously varied, the most important element is fun. Whether participants are in their 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s, the games are both fun and competitive for all. Q: Am I required to live in Ohio to attend camp? A: Absolutely not. Tribe fans from all over the country and occasionally other countries attend camp. Q: What do I need to bring? A: All you need is your glove, rubber cleats (no metal spikes allowed), and if you have your own special wood bat, you may bring that along, too. This is the Major Leagues, thus no aluminum bats are allowed! Professional quality bats will be provided. If you do choose to travel with your own wood bats, we encourage you to contact your airline regarding proper travel instructions. Q: What is the cost of Fantasy Camp? A: Camp is obtained through a $4,800 donation to Cleveland Indians Charities (CIC). A portion of each donation may be tax deductible. The February following camp, participants will be provided a letter from CIC that we encourage be sent to their tax advisors.

2 Q: As a first-time camper, what do I receive for my $4,800 donation? A: For a complete list of details, please reference the Fantasy Camp Package heading. In short, we take care of most things: first-class hotel accommodations at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa, breakfast and lunch daily at the ballpark, select dinners throughout the week, complete authentic uniforms, expert trainers to keep you on the field, a clubhouse staff to care for your uniforms, and more! Campers are responsible for their own airfare, however bus transportation will be provided from the Phoenix Airport to the hotel on the two travel days. Van transportation is provided from the hotel to the baseball complex and back throughout the week. Q: As a veteran camper, what do I receive for my $4,400 donation? A: Everything listed first-time camp excluding a new uniform. Veteran campers must bring their camp uniform to receive the deduction (camp uniform is defined as home white jersey, alternate blue jersey, white pants, mock turtlenecks, and team jacket). Should veterans need a particular uniform piece, the may fill out a Uniform Accessories Form to purchase separately any of those pieces but still receive the $4,400 rate. Veteran campers are responsible for their own airfare, however bus transportation will be provided from the Phoenix Airport to the hotel on the two travel days. Van transportation is provided from the hotel to the baseball complex and back throughout the week. Q: Can a camper bring along a family member or spouse? A: Yes, campers may purchase a "Favorite Fan" package, which provides a person of his or her choice (usually a spouse or family member) the chance to join the camper in Goodyear, AZ. The "Favorite Fan" is at camp from Saturday to Saturday and will room with the camper. Breakfast and lunch at the ballpark will be provided, along with a ticket to Saturday's welcome reception, Sunday's special "Favorite Fan" dinner, Thursday's Championship BBQ, and Friday's Awards Banquet. Favorite Fans are also responsible for their own airfare to and from Phoenix, but may utilize the bus transportation. A limited number of Favorite Fan packages are available, and the cost is $1,700. "Favorite Fan" packages must be confirmed by October 1, Q: What is the weather like in Goodyear, AZ? A: Average temperatures in Goodyear during January include highs in the mid 70s and lows in the 40s. Mornings and evenings have the potential to be cool, so we encourage both Campers and Favorite Fans to keep that in mind when packing.

3 Q: What is the appropriate dress while at camp? A: Campers will spend most of the days on the field in their baseball uniforms, but off the field dress is casual (dockers, jeans, shorts, polo shirts, etc.). Favorite Fans should also dress comfortably and for the weather. At Friday night's Awards Banquet, the dress is more formal. Most men choose to wear a sport coat and most women a dress or skirt. Ties are optional. Q: Are meals provided? A: Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the ballpark daily for all Campers and Favorite Fans. Dinner is provided Saturday (Welcome Banquet), Sunday (Team Dinner) Thursday (Championship BBQ) and Friday (Awards Banquet). You will be on your own for dinner Monday through Wednesday. Numerous restaurants are located within walking distance of the Renaissance (Westgate Shopping Center). Q: What photo opportunities exist? A: Photos will be taken throughout the week by Indians photographers and will be available for view and purchase both on sight during camp, as well as online at indians.com/fanphotos following camp. The official Photo Day is scheduled for Tuesday morning, where individual and team photographs will be taken. All campers will receive a team photo at the end of camp. Viewing stations will be set up at the complex where during designated times campers and favorite fans may view, select, purchase and print photos from the week. All photos printed on sight will come complete with a special 2014 Fantasy Camp template. Q: What additional gifts will I receive? A: Following camp, campers will receive a personalized DVD of their camp experience, along with 100 personalized baseball cards. Video footage will be shot during camp as well as during the Fantasy Camp Reunion, then edited by camper and team. Campers will have the opportunity to create the content printed on their baseball cards and may select a photo taken during camp or a personal photo of their choice. Q: I signed up for camp but an emergency prevents me from attending. What happens to my balance? A: If camp participation becomes impossible, we will deduct $500 to cover hard costs incurred and then roll your remaining balance over to the following year s camp. Hard costs include uniforms, bats, gifts, supplies and administration fees. Items would be sent following the conclusion of camp.

4 Q: Is a portion of Fantasy Camp tax-deductible? A: A portion of the Fantasy Camp may be tax deductible. Following camp by the end of February, Cleveland Indians Charities will provide a letter for income tax purposes. Your tax deduction will be the excess of the camp price over the fair value of the goods and services you will receive. * Cleveland Indians Charities suggests and encourages you to please consult your tax advisor to determine whether a deduction of any portion is allowable. The exact amount of your deduction will vary depending on your tax bracket or other personal tax circumstances as each person's tax situation is unique, whether you file as a single person or jointly. Baseball Related Q: What is the team format and game schedule? A: Camp will feature two divisions and an equal number of teams. Each team will play a seven game schedule - doubleheaders Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a single game Thursday morning. *New for 2014*: All teams, unless playing in the Championship Game, will participate in a Playoff game Thursday afternoon. Q: When is the Championship Game played? A: The top team from each of the two divisions will compete in the Championship Game, scheduled to be played Thursday afternoon and early evening under the lights at Goodyear Ballpark. Q: What is the Pro vs Camper game and when is it played? A: A highlight for most campers is playing a game against the pros. All pro vs camper games will take place Friday. Q: How are teams formed? A: On Sunday morning campers will enjoy a baseball clinic conducted by the pros, and following lunch campers will scrimmage each others as the pros scout. Following the scrimmages, the pros will conduct a draft to determine the teams. The draft is closed to campers and favorite fans. Teams will be announced late Sunday afternoon and teammates will enjoy dinner that evening with their pros and pro assistant.

5 Q: May I request to play on the same team as a friend or family member also attending camp? A: Yes, we allow up to three (3) campers to be drafted together on the same team (special consideration will be given to family members). Campers are able to indicate their teammate preference(s) the first day of camp inside the clubhouse. Additional details will be announced during Saturday's Welcome Dinner. Q: What entails the Pre-Camp and Post-Camp Experiences at Progressive Field? A: Campers will be invited to Progressive Field this fall for the Pre-Camp Experience, as they will hit and throw in the batting cages as well as be professionally fitted for their camp uniforms. The Fantasy Camp Reunion constitutes the Post-Camp Experience, and that will take place in the early summer of Campers will have the opportunity to return to Progressive Field and play a one hour game on the field! Q: What is Kangaroo Kourt? A: Kangaroo Kourt provides participants the opportunity to fine one another for improper baseball conduct (smoking on the field, forgetting to wear shower shoes, waving to a friend in the stands, etc). All proceeds from Kangaroo Kourt will be donated to Cleveland Indians Charities (CIC). Kangaroo Kourt will be held select evenings at the Renaissance Hotel and is mandatory for all campers, pros and staff. Q: What are Bull Session? A: Bull Sessions are informal baseball discussions led by various pros from different eras of Indians baseball. The Bull Sessions serve as a great means of getting to know the pros and gaining additional insight from their playing careers. The Bull Sessions will take place on select evenings following Kangaroo Kourt, and the schedule of pros will be announced during camp. Lodging Related Q: At what hotel will the group be staying? A: Campers will enjoy first class hotel accommodations at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa in Glendale, roughly 20 minutes from the Player Development Complex in Goodyear. Located within walking distance of the Renaissance Hotel is the Jobing.com Arena, University of Phoenix Stadium, and the Westgate Shopping Center. Restaurants at Westgate include Jimmy Buffett s Margaritaville, Saddle Ranch Chop House, The Yard House, and McFadden s Pub, and Gordon Biersch to

6 name a few. There are numerous retail stores and entertainment options as well, including boutiques, a Cold Stone Creamery and the AMC Westgate Theaters. Q: How does the roommate situation work? A: All rooms at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa are double occupancy. Campers will have the opportunity to request a specific roommate; otherwise we will assign roommates according to similar age and same smoking preference. Q: Are private hotel rooms available? A: A limited number of private rooms are available at an additional cost of $800. Private rooms available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Travel Related Q: What are my travel options to camp? A: Campers are responsible for their own airfare to and from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Bus transportation will be provided from the airport to the Renaissance hotel on January 18 th then back to the airport on January 25 th. A bus schedule will be communicated. To ensure ground transportation we would ask you to select a flight arriving in Phoenix before 2 p.m. on January 18 th and leaving Phoenix no earlier than 9:00 a.m. on January 26 th. If your flights are outside of these times, you may need to be responsible for your own ground transportation. Goodyear, AZ is located 25 miles west of Phoenix. Q: Do I need a rental car for other travel? A: During camp, 15-passenger vans will transport campers and favorite fans daily to and from the hotel to the Player Development Complex during designated times. This is approximately a 20 minute commute. The transportation schedule will be published daily in the camp newspaper. Should your transportation needs be more extensive, we recommend you consider renting a car for added flexibility. Please note that any personal travel, or travel outside the designated van schedule, is the responsibility of the camper or the favorite fan. Numerous restaurants are housed inside the Westgate Shopping Center, located within walking distance of the Renaissance Hotel.

7 Uniform Related Q: What is the camp uniform? A: First time campers will receive a uniform consisting of two authentic jerseys (home white and a red/blue block Indians alternate), one pair of baseball pants, two mock turtlenecks, one team jacket, belt, pair of socks, and fitted cap. Q: How do I make sure my uniform will fit correctly? A: A Pre-Camp Experience will be conducted at Progressive Field in the fall of During this session, campers will be professionally measured for uniforms. Should you be unable to attend the Pre-Camp Experience, we encourage you to visit an Indians team shop to try on jerseys, hats, jackets and mock turtlenecks. We also suggest you NOT estimate low on your sizes, as you may be uncomfortable all week long. Indians Fantasy Camp representatives will gladly assist with any uniform related questions you might have. Q: What general tips can be provided to help determine your uniform sizes? a. Jersey Rule of thumb is that your sport coat size is your uniform size (i.e. 42, 48, 54). b. Pants Modern players measure length from their inseam to the ball of their ankle; "old-fashioned" players measure from their inseam to their lower/mid calf. c. Mock Turtleneck and Team Jacket These are available in the following adult sizes: M, L, XL, 2XL d. Fitted hat Range in sizes from 6 7/8 to 8.