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Re: OT - Case study on FanFests
That is a great point
Originally posted by murfsteve25
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Re: OT - Case study on FanFests
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).Originally posted by Manram
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.Always buying David Justice itemsComment
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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.Always buying David Justice itemsComment
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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.Comment
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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]Comment
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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!Comment
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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.Comment
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Re: OT - Case study on FanFests
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...
- ChrisComment
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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.Comment
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Re: OT - Case study on FanFests
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!
- ChrisComment
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Re: OT - Case study on FanFests
xpress-I don't really think we are off topic that much about discussing this.As it kind of has to do with the things that go at the "fests".And beleieve me i am not just hating on "kids".But i am hating on the things you just gave examples of.Man i thought again me and my brother were the only people that thought this way.And i never spoke up because i fear especially on here to get bashed for giving my thoughts.And you hate the same things that i hate.And me and my brother see this every hockey game we go to."GIVE ME,GIVE ME,GIVE ME".We have stayed after for years to get autographs and become freinds with the players and parents.And thats all you hear from the kids.And most of the time they ask us who that player was.And i tell them tell me the final score of the game and i will tell you.And not one kid has been able to do it.And heres a little secret-MOST KIDS DON'T WATCH THE GAMES.And i gave a example about the pucks.An what was funny is that the one kid yelled at the guy in the penelty box "hey my friend did'nt get his puck".They think they are entitled to things now.And manners please for get about that.If i talked the way i hear some kids talk,my dad would have pulled me right out of there and we would have left and proberly never gone to another game.So thats the way i am,and thats what i ahve taught my daughter like i said, you address them by name,you say please mr so and so and then you say thanks.You do not yell and you wait your turn and dont push other people.Thats why i think these fests are the best way for "kids" to get autographs as its more organized and if you buy a ticket and stand in line is alot easier than fighting for one before a game.And i like them for the same reason.Nothing gets me madder than parents that tell their little billy to push thier way up there to get the autograph.I had another story but this post is long enough.By the way i love your storys as thats great the coach did that and player did that.Its shows respect both ways.Still have the hat?Comment
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Re: OT - Case study on FanFests
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...
- ChrisComment
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