The 2013 Kansas City Royals Caravan rolled into Salina Friday. Several hundred fans gathered at Wal-Mart to meet and greet the players, and get autographs.

Current Royals players Eric Hosmer, Aaron Crow, and Everett Teaford were joined by Royals Hall of Famer Willie Wilson, broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre and mascot Sluggerrr. All signed autographs, posed for photos, and chatted with fans.

Royals Director of Media Relations David Holtzman was also on the trip. He tells KSAL News that the caravan has been going great this year. He says that there seems to be a great deal of excitement and optimism among fans as the season nears.

Brent Kirkhart was first in line. He arrived at around 8:30 in the morning, waiting about three hours to meet the players. Kirkhart tells KSAL News that he arrived so early because his son, a student at Salina South Middle School, really wanted autographs from the players. He says he didn't want to disappoint him. After meeting the players, and getting the autographs for his son, Kirkhart says it was worth the wait. "They were all great" he said.

It's not just the fans who are excited about the upcoming season. Eric Hosmer tells KSAL News that he is also very excited. "Everyone knows we needed pitching" he says. "The front office did its job and went out and got us help. Now it's up to us to do the rest".

After the event in Salina the caravan was off to Wichita for an event at a school, and then another meet and greet autograph session.