OT - Case study on FanFests

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  • jobathenut
    Senior Member
    • Nov 2008
    • 1085

    #46
    Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

    xpress-That really made me laugh.I did'nt realize i have been standing here for a hour to hold you kids place in line-CLASSIC.You don't mind if i use that,do you? And yeah now that i know your that big i am going to watch what i say to you.So i am sure the parents know not to mess with you.But even more than that,if you try to teach the kids some manners some parents get mad at you.As i have had that,after a hockey game this kid could not get this players attention and kept yelling "hey you" and after the 50th time i got upset and i told the kid,try saying mr--- to get his attention.And say please and thank you.And the kid did it and the player turned around signed it and the player smiled at me.As i know the player and knew he did that on purpose.As players do not like being yelled at even by kids.But anyway,the dad came up to me and asked who i thought i was telling his kid how to ask for a autograph.And i just said i was sorry but i was tired of hearing your kid screaming and demanding a autograph.And thought if i help him he could get it.Sorry by all means have your kid continue to yell and see how mnay autographs he gets.All those guidelines are the right ones if you were to write a book.But me and my brother will go one furthur.Have something unique for the players to sign.As my brother was a big paul moiltor fan so at twins fest every year he would hunt down the most unique things to get him to sign.Nothing gets the player talking you more than something he has not signed 10000,s of times.And it always worked for my brother and molly.And with the hockey team we follow.I love taking sport pictures so i take games pictures and print them to 8x10s and my brother gets them signed.Nothing makes a college player happier than seeing a picture of them playing.They know we are big fans.So i take the pictures and my brother gets the autographs.We have a good system worked out now.Thats great you still have the hat,as you are a true collector.One of my friends was telling me this story about this team was giving away thier hats like that after the game.And this guy was begging for this players hat.And saying how he was a big fan.So when the player came over my friend let the guy get the hat.And as he was walking out the stdium the guy was selling it.And my friend i guess went up to him and started yeslling at him.Thanks for the email,i will email you some time as this has been great writing to you about this.
    Originally posted by xpress34
    Joba -

    Yes, I do. I also have Tulo's 2007 St Pat's GU hat (auto'd) and I kept Stritty's hat - but had Holliday sign it for my collection.

    Tulo's has his # (14 before he changed to 2), but Stritmatter's was blank inside.

    As far s the kids pushing forward, I quit moving. I've had parents yell at me and I've turned around and told them to teach their kids some manners... I also know most of the lower level (meaning 1st 10 rows) ushers at Coors Field and they back me when the parents go and complain to them that people won't move for their kids. Again, REALLY? I'm sorry that I was standing here for an hour apparently holding a place for YOUR kid!!! Most parents shut up when I say something though... must be something about being 6'1", about 240 with a goatee and a shaved head...

    I always try - my kid or not - to teach them the best way to get an auto.

    My basics:

    1) KNOW who the players are - and even better if you know something about them or have a quick story to share that involves them.

    2) ALWAYS say PLEASE.

    3) Always know WHAT you want to get signed, WHERE you want it signed, and WHAT pen you want it signed with.

    4) Do not JUST Thank them - Thank them for their time as well as the autograph. Gets lots of guys to smile and probably more likely to sign again.

    NOTHING sours a player on signing than rude or bad/obnoxious fans.

    If you ever want to chat outside the board, feel free to drop me a line - xpress34@comcast .net - I always separate it at the . so the SpamBots don't pick my eMail off the forum...

    - Chris

    Comment

    • xpress34
      Senior Member
      • Sep 2008
      • 2648

      #47
      Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

      Originally posted by jobathenut
      Have something unique for the players to sign.
      I will agree with this one too...

      In fact, I have a Pro Model HoH (Heart of the Hide) catchers mitt that now has almost 50 autos on it - all catcher's of course!

      My friends laugh when I tell them it's like a catcher's 'fly trap' or 'magnet', but I have gotten or guys turn and come right to me when I hold that thing up for autos. Only 2 catchers have ignored me/turned me down that I have asked to sign it - Piazza and Soto.

      Notables are Bob Uecker, Pudge Rodriguez, Joe Mauer, Kurt Suzuki, Doug Mirabelli, Bengie Molina, Yadier Molina (I now need Jose to have all 3), Saltalamacchia, Jason LaRue, Jason Kendall... I would pay (if they are even near here for a show - Denver,CO) for Yogi Berra and Johnny Bench.

      Planning on trying to add Torre this season as well as some others...

      As I said, it's a magnet... I've had starting catchers (who usually don't sign before games) see it on their way to the Bull Pen, set down their gear and come right over to sign it.

      Paul Phillips (when the Rox had him up last year), I couldn't catch up to him at a game... he's driving out after a day game, fans are calling and he keeps driving - I hold up the glove, he sees it - stops and calls me over to sign it.

      Best story on it is Uecker. TOUGH Auto... when the Twins were here 2 seasons ago, Uecker made Ned Yost (who I forgot to have sign it!) come and get the glove - take it to him, he signed it - and then had Yost bring it back to me.

      I have lots of Mgrs who were catchers on it - Hurdle, Brenley, Bochy - as well as a lot of could have beens, JD Closser, Danny Ardoin, etc...

      Besides Torre, looking to add LoDuca, Soto (I'll try again), Pierzynski, and a few others at Spring Training this year.

      Chat with you soon...

      - Chris

      Comment

      • murfsteve25
        Senior Member
        • Oct 2008
        • 689

        #48
        Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

        Originally posted by jobathenut
        So when the player came over my friend let the guy get the hat.And as he was walking out the stdium the guy was selling it.
        I'd be pissed
        Always buying David Justice items

        Comment

        • allstarsplus
          Senior Member
          • Nov 2005
          • 3707

          #49
          Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

          Originally posted by murfsteve25
          One more thing...

          My fav fanfest is the Braves. They have the entire stadium available to you. Walk around the concourse all you want. Sit in any seat you'd like. Take fly balls in the outfield. Throw strikes in the bullpen. Sit in the dugout.Take a tour of the clubhouse, look in the showers, see the athletic trainers office, check out the putting green.

          They have autograph sessions going on everywhere. Not in just one little spot. When i went, Francoeur was signing in the 755 suite. Chipper was signing in some room behind home plate. Bobby Cox and Sid Bream were signing in some hallway in the left field suites.

          If I could attend only one fanfest ever again, it would be the Braves only because they give you access to check out a lot of things. Even though I was able to get auto's from Cox, Francoeur, Chipper...my fav part was going in the dugout and clubhouse.
          Interesting. The President of the Nats is Stan Kasten who used to be the President of the Atlanta Braves and that is almost the model the Nationals use except it is cold on the last weekend in January when the NatsFest is so not much going on outside and the indoor areas get crowded real quick which is why they may have to move it to a convention center.

          Do the Braves have dealers setup to sell their own merchandise as well as the team selling game used?
          Regards,
          Andrew Lang
          AllstarsPlus@aol.com
          202-716-8500

          Comment

          • jobathenut
            Senior Member
            • Nov 2008
            • 1085

            #50
            Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

            murfsteve-Oh my friend was pissed.He said he does'nt think he has ever got that mad.As he was also a fan of the player.But the way they guy was going on and on.My friend thought he would be nice and give it to him saying he was a bigger fan.
            Originally posted by murfsteve25
            I'd be pissed

            Comment

            • sox83cubs84
              Banned
              • Apr 2009
              • 8902

              #51
              Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

              I find most (not all, though) of the kids to be obnoxious and cursed with a feeling of entitlement, especially when they see adults backing them up. When I catch a BP baseball, I'll get the "Give it to a kid" line, which usually transaltes to "give it to MY kid". I usually ignore these, and, when I do give one out, it's to a kid 10 or 15 rows up, or to one just coming down from the concourse. I gave a brat at New Comiskey a fotoball of Mike greenwell when I caught a BP HR and he whined for it. Greenwell was shagging fly balls in front of us, and the kid demanded (not asked for) an autograph. Greenwell expalined that he couldn't sign while he was working, so the rugrat THREW the ball at Greenwell!!

              I could start awhole thread about obnoxious kids/parents stroies...maybe I'll start it myself tomorrow.

              Dave M.
              Chicago area

              Comment

              • Manram
                Senior Member
                • Nov 2008
                • 1151

                #52
                Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

                Originally posted by sox83cubs84
                I find most (not all, though) of the kids to be obnoxious and cursed with a feeling of entitlement, especially when they see adults backing them up. When I catch a BP baseball, I'll get the "Give it to a kid" line, which usually transaltes to "give it to MY kid". I usually ignore these, and, when I do give one out, it's to a kid 10 or 15 rows up, or to one just coming down from the concourse. I gave a brat at New Comiskey a fotoball of Mike greenwell when I caught a BP HR and he whined for it. Greenwell was shagging fly balls in front of us, and the kid demanded (not asked for) an autograph. Greenwell expalined that he couldn't sign while he was working, so the rugrat THREW the ball at Greenwell!!

                I could start awhole thread about obnoxious kids/parents stroies...maybe I'll start it myself tomorrow.

                Dave M.
                Chicago area
                Can't wait to hear all your stories

                Comment

                • LastingsMilledge85
                  Senior Member
                  • May 2009
                  • 1438

                  #53
                  Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

                  Back in 2007 at Shea stadium a young kid,maybe 10 or 9 the oldest, very funny to a ball player. Joe Smith was singing autographs and the kid asked Joe if he could have his hat, and Joe said, "You want my hat?" and smiled. Joe is a very nice guy BTW, but couldn't give up his hat.

                  Comment

                  • hiramman
                    Senior Member
                    • Feb 2007
                    • 366

                    #54
                    Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

                    I just wish the Atlanta Braves would have one this year. The've had them at the Stadium in the past, at the huge World Congress Trade Center a couple of years ago and then had what they called an Autographfest at the stadium last year. All have had things I've loved and things that didn't work out so well for everyone.

                    However this year, considering they're probably the best team in baseball, with a huge ever-growing national fan base, with every game a complete sell-out, with fan's fighting to just get a chance at having the luxury to purchase a ticket, with the waiting list for season tickets being handed down from one generation to the next, and attendance at every game growing and growing... they've decided it's not worth the hassle to put on something for Braves fans.

                    You gotta love some of the front office people the Braves have in charge of marketing. Geez, now I keep forgetting why I didn't renew those season tickets.
                    Always looking for Atlanta Braves Game-Used items. hiramman@bellsouth.net

                    Comment

                    • jobathenut
                      Senior Member
                      • Nov 2008
                      • 1085

                      #55
                      Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

                      sox83cubs84-I really thought i was taking a chance when i replied about the "kids only line" with my sarcastic-IT'S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS.But i am surprised to find out i am not alone on the thought towards kids at games.First xpress34 shared my same thought and now you.Thank you as i thought i was all alone on this.I have never caught a ball at a game,not even as a kid.But my brother did and of course go that "give it to a kid".I can believe the kid that in your story.He thew the ball at him.Wow,if that was my kid,or if i did that,that for sure would be the last game i or my kid went to.
                      Originally posted by sox83cubs84
                      I find most (not all, though) of the kids to be obnoxious and cursed with a feeling of entitlement, especially when they see adults backing them up. When I catch a BP baseball, I'll get the "Give it to a kid" line, which usually transaltes to "give it to MY kid". I usually ignore these, and, when I do give one out, it's to a kid 10 or 15 rows up, or to one just coming down from the concourse. I gave a brat at New Comiskey a fotoball of Mike greenwell when I caught a BP HR and he whined for it. Greenwell was shagging fly balls in front of us, and the kid demanded (not asked for) an autograph. Greenwell expalined that he couldn't sign while he was working, so the rugrat THREW the ball at Greenwell!!

                      I could start awhole thread about obnoxious kids/parents stroies...maybe I'll start it myself tomorrow.

                      Dave M.
                      Chicago area

                      Comment

                      • jobathenut
                        Senior Member
                        • Nov 2008
                        • 1085

                        #56
                        Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

                        Sorry once again grammer police.Wow, i really butchered that last post of mine ,did'nt i? We really need a edit button.Or better yet i need to learn to proof read before hitting the darn reply button.Sorry everyone.

                        Comment

                        • allstarsplus
                          Senior Member
                          • Nov 2005
                          • 3707

                          #57
                          Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

                          Originally posted by hiramman
                          You gotta love some of the front office people the Braves have in charge of marketing. Geez, now I keep forgetting why I didn't renew those season tickets.
                          I have thought the same thing sometimes with respect to the decision makers of off-the-field decisions.

                          I remember about over 10 years ago when the Braves took some of their season tickets holders and formed a fan focus group that made suggestions to the marketing group which had many ideas implemented.

                          It is a shame to see a team move backwards in marketing efforts, but I am sure it comes down to time and money.
                          Regards,
                          Andrew Lang
                          AllstarsPlus@aol.com
                          202-716-8500

                          Comment

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