OT - Case study on FanFests

[xpress34]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

If you don't know the players name you don;t need thier autograph.Have the respect to go up the player and ask them by name for their autograph.

Again, I agree!!! I HATE going early for BP and autos only to have kids stand there screaming out numbers at players - and not even asking PLEASE. If I had a .05 for every time I've heard a kid scream 'GIVE me..., SIGN my... Hey you..., etc' without a PLEASE in site... and their parents just stand there and say nothing.

And even worse is when you are already shoulder to shoulder waiting and they get there whenever they decide to come and their parents teach them to just shove their way up front - no excuse me, nothing - like they're entitled...

As far as knowing players names - enough said! I cannot stress this enough to people who want to auto hunt!

TWO examples - one happened at RockiesFest yesterday: I was waiting for my 12:30 Auto in Mountain Ranch Club (had just found out it was to be Helton!) when I saw Tulo coming down the hall... all these 'fans' and no one recognized him! I didn't ask for an auto, but I did call out 'Triple T' (Trot Trevor Tulowitzki) and he High Fived me as he walked by... then people were asking me, "who was that?" REALLY?!?!

2nd happened at St Patty's game 2008 at Hi Corbett in Tucson... the Rox generally give away or toss their hats into the stands (Green CR and St Pats Logo on back) and many scrums ensue... anyway, Mark Strimatter (Bullpen Coach) is coming in after the game - and here come the 'Hey you... hey mister... hey #...etc) for his hat. I wait for Mark to get in earshot (he has to have passed 100 people screaming for his hat) and I yell out, 'Stritty - may I have your lid?'... He looks up at me and says ,'What?' Again I say, 'Stritty, may I please have your hat?' He says, 'Since you know who I am, sure.' and gives me his hat.

Maybe we should start a new thread on these subjects!!!

2nd time - my apologies for driving this train off the rails!

- Chris

[jobathenut]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

Thanks xpress for your comment about did the kid buy his ticket.Thats funny as i said the same darn thing to a stadium person years ago at wigley.The twins were playing there and my brother was a huge moiltor fan so i went there early to get his autogrpah for him.And i got it and was telling molitor about my brother.As it was just me and him by the dugout talking as noone saw him there.But then people started coming over and molly went to take infield.And he motioned to me and threw me a ball and it fell short of me.And the stadium person who was sitting there picked it up and gave it to a kid standing behind me.And i said he was throwing it to me.And the guy said the famous line"yeah but thats a kid".And i said really how much did that kid pay for his seat.Not to mention the plane ticket and hotel to come go to the game.And molly even yelled at him that he was throwing the ball to me.And man i would have been more pissed by what happen to you.

Agreed! The RockiesFest was the same way... you chose the Q&As or you chose chasing Autos. I actually liked that they sold tickets for Autographs by time and area - no names given. Basically it was lotto - only you were guaranteed and auto with a ticket for your time and place, you just didn't know who.

On the 'It's about the kids' sidebar... I have to say I too am sick and tired of hearing it. My son doesn't like baseball and now that he's 16 (actually, since he was about 10) he doesn't attend or watch games and I'm sure many kids at the ballpark didn't come there by choice. Also, in reference to the ushers/security/ball guys giving foul balls to kids and not adults - do you think that kid shelled out $35 to $100+ per ticket for those front row or box seats? HELL NO!

And an actual event that happened to me in either 2002 or 2003 at Coors Field - I'm sitting Front Row down the 3rd base line - about half way between 3rd Base and the Left Field wall - Larry Walker hits a screaming foul down the 3rd base line that skips off the dirt and into the stands. As my buddies are ducking, I can't move my glove back any further, the ball hits me in the wrist above the heel of my glove, crushes the clasp on my steel watch band cutting my wrist open and bounces back onto the field. The on-field security guy picks the ball up, comes over and asks if I'm okay (blood was running down my arm at this point - not buckets mind you, but enough to notice) - I tell him I think I'm okay, he says alright and then turns and tosses the ball to a kid who ran down the steps from about 8 rows up. Yes, this really happened! That's the point when I really said forget about the kids

My friends always ask - if you catch a HR or a Foul, are you going to give it to a kid near you? I always say, 'Hell no!'. I've been to about 1,000 MLB games in my life and (not including BP balls or Spring Training) I've gotten ONE foul ball and last year got my FIRST HR ball (Eric Young Jr's 1st MLB HR). I figure the kids have plenty of time to get one on their own.

Sorry for the rant and going off the rails here...

- Chris

[xpress34]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

The lines were long, took lots of waiting in line and missed events, games, fan forums but you had to choose what you wanted to experience. If you wanted to meet the players you have to give up on the player Q&As or the speed pitch game or whatever else they had going on. Everyone who attended got to experience something.

Agreed! The RockiesFest was the same way... you chose the Q&As or you chose chasing Autos. I actually liked that they sold tickets for Autographs by time and area - no names given. Basically it was lotto - only you were guaranteed and auto with a ticket for your time and place, you just didn't know who.

On the 'It's about the kids' sidebar... I have to say I too am sick and tired of hearing it. My son doesn't like baseball and now that he's 16 (actually, since he was about 10) he doesn't attend or watch games and I'm sure many kids at the ballpark didn't come there by choice. Also, in reference to the ushers/security/ball guys giving foul balls to kids and not adults - do you think that kid shelled out $35 to $100+ per ticket for those front row or box seats? HELL NO!

And an actual event that happened to me in either 2002 or 2003 at Coors Field - I'm sitting Front Row down the 3rd base line - about half way between 3rd Base and the Left Field wall - Larry Walker hits a screaming foul down the 3rd base line that skips off the dirt and into the stands. As my buddies are ducking, I can't move my glove back any further, the ball hits me in the wrist above the heel of my glove, crushes the clasp on my steel watch band cutting my wrist open and bounces back onto the field. The on-field security guy picks the ball up, comes over and asks if I'm okay (blood was running down my arm at this point - not buckets mind you, but enough to notice) - I tell him I think I'm okay, he says alright and then turns and tosses the ball to a kid who ran down the steps from about 8 rows up. Yes, this really happened! That's the point when I really said forget about the kids

My friends always ask - if you catch a HR or a Foul, are you going to give it to a kid near you? I always say, 'Hell no!'. I've been to about 1,000 MLB games in my life and (not including BP balls or Spring Training) I've gotten ONE foul ball and last year got my FIRST HR ball (Eric Young Jr's 1st MLB HR). I figure the kids have plenty of time to get one on their own.

Sorry for the rant and going off the rails here...

- Chris

[jobathenut]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

Wow i thought i was all alone on this.Glad i am not.I just wish it was like that when i was a kid i would have taken avantage of it more.I did not realize how many things i was intitled to just because i am a kid.I mean i have no problem if the kid is a fan.But to not give it to me to give it to a kid just cause thier a kid is just stubid.I was just at a hockey game for our local college team.And me and my brother go to every home game.So we are obvious big fans.And we were sitting first row on the glass and the refs and players gave all the kids around us pucks but not us.They were not watching the game (as most kids don't especially baseball games but thats another rant),just wearing normal clothes.And me and my brother wearing jersys and hats.I just don't get it.And before i get bashed on here.I have a daughter,and i have tught her as my dad and mom taught me.I just don't let her think just cause she is a kid she is deserving of items.And if you can not watch the game then you are not going to the game.I did not buy you a ticket for you to watch the people behind you or next to you watch the game-my biggest pet peeve by the way.And if she gets a ball or something she is to take care of it and put it in a display case.That also goes for autographs.If you don;t know the players name you don;t need thier autograph.Have the respect to go up the player and ask them by name for thier autograph.

Yeah I had a published more well written rant in Sports Collectors digest a few years ago about kids! I myself am only 25 and started collecting hardcore autographs when I was like 12-13ish. I know there are lots of dealers out there but there are also a lot of true collectors who are adults...

Random kid "Number 12! Number 12! Sign this!" ...... Yup that kid sure does deserve the autograph more than me does not even know the guys name!

[BergerKing22784]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

Yeah I had a published more well written rant in Sports Collectors digest a few years ago about kids! I myself am only 25 and started collecting hardcore autographs when I was like 12-13ish. I know there are lots of dealers out there but there are also a lot of true collectors who are adults...

Random kid "Number 12! Number 12! Sign this!" ...... Yup that kid sure does deserve the autograph more than me does not even know the guys name!

[jobathenut]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

Yeah bergerking i was being a smartass when i posted that response "it's all about the kids".As that's what sports have become.I thought i was the only one who is sick and tired of hearing this.Glad to know i am not alone on this.But see all of sports should have that motto-"it's about the kids".I know this is off topic.But i mean go to any game of any sport and if a player or ump,ref or usher is throwing a ball or puck into the crowd.Who gets it-a kid.What players forget that even adults were once kids and have proberly been fans of the team since then.But they seem to think a kid who is just going to lose the ball or play with is more deserving than a adult who proberly will put it in a display case.quote=BergerKing22784;183002]The Kids, the kids, why does everything always have to be about "the kids"?!?!


Why cant it be about the true fan or the true collector? The ones who will actually cherish the autograph or game used item? I know we need to give children memories that they will remember forever but in all my years of autographing I have seen so many ungreatful kids or kids who really just dont care get something that I or someone else would enjoy so much more but since we are no longer kids missed out.

I have been blessed with wonderful parents who all through my childhood realised my passion for sports and the opportunities to meet my favorite sports stars and as great parents would take time out of their busy lives to help me accomplish my goals of my hobby. Age should not have any baring on who gets what in this hobby. The person(s) most willing to do what they have to do to get what they want should. Yesterday at Orioles fanfest I heard many parents moaning and groaning about how their kids were missing out and the autograph procedure what stupid and yadda yadda yadda. While I still think not announcing player times and appearances wasnt the best idea everyone got to play by the same rules regardless of age and if you wanted it bad enough you could have done really good yesterday in achieving your goals....

The lines were long, took lots of waiting in line and missed events, games, fan forums but you had to choose what you wanted to experience. If you wanted to meet the players you have to give up on the player Q&As or the speed pitch game or whatever else they had going on. Everyone who attended got to experience something.[/quote]

[BergerKing22784]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

The Kids, the kids, why does everything always have to be about "the kids"?!?!


Why cant it be about the true fan or the true collector? The ones who will actually cherish the autograph or game used item? I know we need to give children memories that they will remember forever but in all my years of autographing I have seen so many ungreatful kids or kids who really just dont care get something that I or someone else would enjoy so much more but since we are no longer kids missed out.

I have been blessed with wonderful parents who all through my childhood realised my passion for sports and the opportunities to meet my favorite sports stars and as great parents would take time out of their busy lives to help me accomplish my goals of my hobby. Age should not have any baring on who gets what in this hobby. The person(s) most willing to do what they have to do to get what they want should. Yesterday at Orioles fanfest I heard many parents moaning and groaning about how their kids were missing out and the autograph procedure what stupid and yadda yadda yadda. While I still think not announcing player times and appearances wasnt the best idea everyone got to play by the same rules regardless of age and if you wanted it bad enough you could have done really good yesterday in achieving your goals....

The lines were long, took lots of waiting in line and missed events, games, fan forums but you had to choose what you wanted to experience. If you wanted to meet the players you have to give up on the player Q&As or the speed pitch game or whatever else they had going on. Everyone who attended got to experience something.

[murfsteve25]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

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.

[Manram]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

That is a great idea.As it's all about the kids.

Of course it is

[jobathenut]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

That is a great idea.As it's all about the kids.

That's a good idea. Are these signors for the kids Minor League prospect types or do they have some starters signing?

[murfsteve25]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

That is a great point

On the other hand, i can see how doing a lottery would be so much easier. Especially for those who will be with young children. Dont have to deal with the worries of wondering where the line is going to be for a certain player, or waiting in line an hour before the line is actually supposed to start forming (those who have attended Redsfest in the early 2000's know what im talking about).

It would be so much easier to know ahead of time that at 2pm on saturday you need to walk over to "area A in the autograph section" and jump in line for an autograph.

[Manram]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

Personally speaking, I dont like the idea of an autograph lottery. I say keep it the way its been going. First 250 in line get it.

Why? Because a wealthy man can sit at his home all day and buy as many lottery tickets as he wants, hoping one of them gets him a spot in line at the 2 oclock signing on saturday.

But the average joe/dedicated fan who is willing to take a day out of his life to bare the weather and driving conditions, wait 5+ hours in line just to get in the building, then wait another hour or 2 in the actual autograph line just for the 5 seconds of glory truely deserves it I think.

That is a great point

[murfsteve25]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

Is an autograph lottery better than the first 250 that get into the line?

Personally speaking, I dont like the idea of an autograph lottery. I say keep it the way its been going. First 250 in line get it.

Why? Because a wealthy man can sit at his home all day and buy as many lottery tickets as he wants, hoping one of them gets him a spot in line at the 2 oclock signing on saturday.

But the average joe/dedicated fan who is willing to take a day out of his life to bare the weather and driving conditions, wait 5+ hours in line just to get in the building, then wait another hour or 2 in the actual autograph line just for the 5 seconds of glory truely deserves it I think.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

The early bird problem for game-used stuff somtimes happens here, too, especially at SoxFest. A local hobbyist who writes for SCD has, at times in the past, been known to use his press credentials to gain access to the Garage Sale area before it happens, and buys a few items before the public gets let in. Not to say he clears out all the good stuff, as the Sox sell the best names at somewhat appropriate prices..but more than a few local collectors have griped about him using a press credential to beat the crowd inside. I'm not sure that this is still the case...the Sox may have put a stop to this.

Dave M.
Chicago area

[Manram]

Re: OT - Case study on FanFests

I know what you mean. I mean there are Fans....and then there are FANS. Those FANS are hogging everything in my opinion. But I am just happy to know that I have a life and their actions can speak for themselves. HAHA, sleeping in a port a potty? WOW. Can you get any more low than that? Thats just insanity.

Yah that is pretty insane. I guess they don't have anything else better to do