As the start of the Atlantic League season draws near, the York Revolution announced Wednesday its plans for the team's annual Fan Fest.

Slated to be held five days before opening day, the event is aimed to get fans revved up for the season, said Darrell Henry, the team's radio announcer.

In a first for the league, the Revolution will take on a team of league alumni all-stars that includes a number of players fans will find familiar.

Among those who are expected to play are 11 former Revs, as well as a number of former players from teams across the league.

"We're pretty excited," Henry said. "It's something we could do again in the future."

Fan Fest will be held at Sovereign Bank Stadium starting at noon Saturday,

April 13, and will also include a concert and an autograph session. The Revs open the season at home Thursday, April 18, against the Bridgeport Bluefish.

Alumni team: The lineup for the all-star team includes former Revs' pitchers Wayne Franklin, Daryl Harang, Eric Ackerman and Sean Stidfole; catcher Kevin Kotch; infielders Rayner Bautista, Travis Hake and current third base coach Enohel Polanco; and outfielders Jason Aspito, Val Majewski and Justin Singleton.

The alumni team will be managed by Revolution pitching coach John Halama, who is also planning to toe the rubber in the game.

"It's an awesome idea," said Franklin, who started the first game in club history in 2007. "I'll be traveling from California and can't wait to take the field in York again. I'm hoping John (Halama) will give me some innings in the outfield that day, too."

Other familiar names from around the Atlantic League who are set to take the field include Matt Hagen (Somerset, Sugar Land), Vito Chiaravalloti (Road Warriors, Somerset, Camden), and Matt Cavagnaro (Long Island).

"It's great to get former players back together, doing something we all like doing, playing the game of baseball," said Halama. "Personally, I'm looking forward to being out there one last time, being a kid."

Concert: Fan Fest gets underway with a performance by up-and-coming country music star Maggie Rose, presented by Great Country 107.7 WGTY, at Brooks Robinson Plaza at noon.

At 12:45 p.m., fans will be able to meet this year's team and the alumni team players during an autograph session.

Sovereign Bank Stadium's gates will open at 1 p.m. for the exhibition game, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.

The alumni team will sport unique jerseys that will be auctioned off during the event, with winners announced at the end of the game, Henry said.

The jerseys feature the logos of current franchises on the front, and former franchise logos on the back.

"It's been a lot of fun putting the (alumni) team together and getting in touch with these guys, and it will be great to actually get them together here at the same time again, and play this game. We're all looking forward to it, as are the players," said Eric Menzer, Revolution president.

Tickets: Tickets to the exhibition game that pits the York Revolution against the Atlantic League all-star alumni team will be available on a special presale exclusively for Revolution season-ticketholders beginning at 10 a.m. this Thursday [ggr: tomorrow, Feb. 21: ].

Tickets for non-season-ticketholders will be available starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28.

Prices are $5 for individual purchases, and $3 for season-ticketholders. Purchases can be made online at YorkRevolution.com, by phone at 801-HITS, and in person at the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office at Sovereign Bank Stadium, 5 Brooks Robinson Way.

- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.