FROM STAFF REPORTS

Atlanta Braves fans in Shelby County will get a chance to be up close and personal with their favorite players Thursday, Feb. 2 when the Major League Baseball club’s “Country Caravan” makes a stop at the Academy Sports and Outdoors at Lee Branch in Hoover.

Braves’ All-Star pitcher Jair Jurrjens and potential Rookie of the Year Randall Delgado will be on hand to sign autographs and take photos with fans during an autograph session between 4-5:30 p.m. at the athletic and outdoor apparel retailer located at 310 Doug Baker Blvd.

The players will be joined by Frank Wren, the Braves’ general manager, and bench coach Carlos Tosca.

The Atlanta quartet is scheduled to visit with students at Mountain Brook Junior High School before arriving at Academy Sports and Outdoors at 4 p.m. The group will meet with fans between 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

The caravan will hit the road Jan. 27-Feb. 9 for a two-week tour around the Southeast that will see the team travel more than 3,000 miles and make more than 40 stops, greeting thousands of fans before heading to Florida for the start of Spring Training in mid-February.

On each day of Caravan, Braves players, coaches, and executives will make community appearances, including visits to local schools, hospitals, military bases and businesses, and host autograph signings at Academy Sports and Outdoors locations.

Visit AtlantaBraves.com for more information.