The Somerset Patriots held their annual Fan Fest on Saturday, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Team officials saw a record turnout, as several thousand fans made their way through the turnstiles during the three-hour event. A line that seemed to never end wrapped around the concourse, with fans waiting for autographs from manager Sparky Lyle and returning catcher Travis Anderson.

The event featured an 1880's style game played without gloves, face painting, live music and a contest to vote for the team's new mascot.

And all of this was to celebrate a franchise whose 2007 roster is becoming more complete every day, with six more signings announced over the past week.

First baseman Josh Pressley and pitchers Chris Rojas, Jason Richardson and Brian Reith will all be competing for spots next week in Atlantic League Spring Training down in Lakeland, Florida. Also, they re-signed utility player Pat Boran and last season's Opening Day starter, Andy Van Hekken.

While Reith has big league time with the Cincinnati Reds, the Pressley signing probably made the most noise out of them all.

With Todd Leathers slated to be the team's everyday designated hitter, Pressley rounds out the starting infield and gives the team a power bat to replace the departed Larry Barnes. Danny Garcia will start at second, Teuris Olivares at shortstop and, of course, Jeff Nettles will be at the hot corner.

As for Pressley, the six foot, six inch tall, 230 pounder hit 22 home runs just two seasons ago with Double-A Wichita, but that's not what the casual fan will remember about that season.

Pressley was suspended for 15 games due to a violation of Major League Baseball's steroids policy, and is believed to be the first player who the Patriots have brought in with any sort of steroid-related suspension.

“We are very excited to have Josh join our team. He is a player who was recommended by several people in baseball as a great guy on and off the field. We feel Josh will be a great addition to our infield and will help get the team back on track as a championship contender,” Patrick McVerry, President and GM of the Patriots, said in a team statement.

The Patriots now have 20 players under contract, and McVerry hinted at Fan Fest that some bigger names may be on the way by press time.

Patriots Notes: At Fan Fest, Patriots manager Sparky Lyle didn't rule out a return by pitcher Justin Jensen, who's been recovering from a myriad of injuries for the past two seasons. However, while Lyle said that there would be a spot for him on the team, Jensen will not be attending Spring Training.

Around the Atlantic League: The Long Island Ducks made the highest profile signing of any team this season, agreeing to terms with former Houston Astros outfielder Richard Hidalgo. Hidalgo, the Astros team MVP in 2003, has 171 MLB home runs to his name and also had a short stint with the Mets in the second half of 2004...First ballot Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who has served as a special assistant to the Lancaster Barnstormers in the past, was named a part-owner in Opening Day Partners, a new company formed to combine Keystone Baseball and Maryland Baseball. Keystone Baseball owns the Camden Riversharks, Barnstormers and expansion York Revolution...Speaking of the Revolution, various reports have their stadium being way behind schedule in being completed, and some "home" games may have to be played in Lancaster.