FanFest: Mascots swing for the fences

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No, mascots didn’t make a habit of wringing kids’ necks at FanFest.

They did, however, choke up on an aluminum bat and strike at a synthetic ball in the Mascot Home Run Derby.

Always colorful, there was plenty of jawing, pointed fingers and dancing between swings for the fences at the diamond within the Anaheim Convention Center.

Represented among the MLB mascots were the Parrot from Pittsburgh, Fredbird of St. Louis, Slugger from Kansas City and Junction Jack of Houston.

Each mascot’s output represented the opportunity for a child from the Boys & Girls Club to attend the actual Home Run Derby at Angel Stadium on Monday night.

The Pittsburgh Parrot, last year’s winner, and a boy named Eric were celebrating in the end, as the Parrot outlasted Fredbird to advance.

Eric has one more obstacle before he can go the big league Home Run Derby, as the Parrot must now compete in the finals.

-- DeAntae Prince