Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ In-Person Autograph Collecting 101

[dd316]

I was asked to discuss this topic, but I'm doing so based on my own in-person baseball autograph experiences. So if you have any comments or anything to add please feel free to!


Tips on getting autographs:

• Get to the ballpark early! I've found that for night games many players start arriving as early as 12:00 noon, and for afternoon games they can arrive as early as 8:00am, so plan accordingly. Coaches are usually among the first to arrive. If you can get anywhere near the player parking lots/dropoff areas this is the place to go. I know a lot of people hound the visiting teams' hotels but that seems a bit much to me.

• When inside the ballpark I guess each place has its own rules, but generally try to get down close to the dugout of the team you're trying for. Sometimes players sign along the rail, other times they'll have a stadium employee hand them items over the dugout to sign. Just pay attention and be aware of what's going on.

• Hang around after games too in the same places you hung out before the game. Most players will start exiting about 1/2 hour after the game.

• Say "Please" an "Thank you." Remember, the player doesn't HAVE to sign anything, so be grateful they took their time. Plus many times a simple "Please" will be enough to get a player to sign for you. Say "Joe Player, will you please sign?" as opposed to "JOE!! JOE!!!!! JOOOOOEEEEE!!!!!!!"

• Always bring something to sign WITH. Nothing is more annoying than the guy that keeps asking you to use your pen - don't be that guy!

• Don't yell out bad things if the player doesn't sign at first - that's a sure way to get him to not sign at all!

• If there are a LOT of people trying to get autographs, don't ask the player to sign multiples or add inscriptions. That only takes more time away that he might use to sign for someone else.

• If there are any around, stand near little kids. Players always go to them first so if you're nearby you might get lucky.

• The above rule also applies to good looking girls. (hey, it may seem like a sexist statement but it's true! )

• Don't push other people (especially kids) out of the way. That's just rude. If you can't get in the front you should have gotten there earlier. Players will recognize ignorance. If I see a little kid behind me I'll try to squeeze them up front. Getting the autograph may be great for you but for a kid ballplayers are almost superhuman, they'll remember things like that for life.

• Don't send little kids to get autographs for you. That's just horrible.

• Have something decent for the players to sign. A lot of players won't sign blank cards (like index cards).

• Don't get the player to sign that day's giveaway if it has nothing to do with that player or that player's team. That's stupid. I've seen visiting team players in Philly sign Phillies hats and such. Why would you do that?

• Don't ask the player "Who are you?" If you don't know you probably don't need their autograph anyway.


I hope this helps and I expect to see more in-person autograph threads now.

[bob_TCC]

Thanks for such an informative topic, Ted!

I have moved this to the main Autographs forum and pinned the topic.

-Bob

[ffman]

Thanks alot, dd - nice tips. I don't know if I'll get the chance to need them, lol. I've been to one game, and I've got two autographs. A Milwaukee Brewer game in '95.....Matt Mieske and Pat Listach on a score card. Not the best players, but autos nonetheless. I remember NOTHING about that game.

[dd316]

Thanks alot, dd - nice tips.  I don't know if I'll get the chance to need them, lol.  I've been to one game, and I've got two autographs.  A Milwaukee Brewer  game in '95.....Matt Mieske and Pat Listach on a score card.  Not the best players, but autos nonetheless.  I remember NOTHING about that game. 

...but you remember getting the autographs. It's always cool to meet a player and it stays with you.

[Iplayfootball_90]

Thanks for the information! That will help out a whole lot.

[ffman]

...but you remember getting the autographs. It's always cool to meet a player and it stays with you.

I don't even remember that very well. The night I went, it was 'promoting' the retirement of Jim Gantner - have the ticket stub and program in my room, lol.

[dd316]

I don't even remember that very well.  The night I went, it was 'promoting' the retirement of Jim Gantner - have the ticket stub and program in my room, lol.

Ah well, what do I know.

[jaderock]

Very informative and thank you for sharing this valuable infomation...I guess shouting, "you stuck you piece of garbage" doesn't help!

Thanks Bob for moving/pinning the topic.

[dd316]

Very informative and thank you for sharing this valuable infomation...I guess shouting, "you stuck you piece of garbage" doesn't help!

Unfortunately, no.

[ffman]

Ah well, what do I know.

But, that was.....11 years ago. I was about....8 or 9.

[acampione]

thanks for all the information...

[cbware88]

Thanks for the info.

[19th Century Indiana Jones]

Cool! I'm waiting for your next articles:

Part 2: Getting IP sigs outside a player's hotel
Part 3: When seeing a player in public other than the ballpark or hotel
Part 4: Lines that work

[acampione]

Cool! I'm waiting for your next articles:

Part 2: Getting IP sigs outside a player's hotel
Part 3: When seeing a player in public other than the ballpark or hotel
Part 4: Lines that work 

Those would be good to get tips on.

[dd316]

Part 2: Getting IP sigs outside a player's hotel

I've never done that. To me that seems like stalking.

Part 3: When seeing a player in public other than the ballpark or hotel

Again, that seems like stalking. I think it'd be ok to say hi, but to bother them for an autograph is kind of lame. Plus, what will you be prepared with to have signed, a napkin? I've seen some people outside the game but hav always left them alone. They get mobbed all the other times, give them some space!

Part 4: Lines that work 

20 lb. test.

[acampione]

I've never done that. To me that seems like stalking.

I have never mailed out to their houses or waited for them, I just send to the arena. You're right though, it does seem like stalking.

[19th Century Indiana Jones]

This might be of interest: Staedtler Pens

This type of marker writes on just about any smooth surface - including glossy cards. The ink dries instantly.

[dd316]

This might be of interest: Staedtler Pens

This type of marker writes on just about any smooth surface - including glossy cards. The ink dries instantly.

I've heard good things about them, but never tried them. I'm a Sharpie man.

[gregorium]

This might be of interest: Staedtler Pens

This type of marker writes on just about any smooth surface - including glossy cards. The ink dries instantly.

I use these for any in person autos on glossy items. Ink dries instantly, almost impossible to smudge! I use the Staedtler Lumocolor permanent pens. All kinds of different tip thicknesses and colours available. On non-glossy items, I'll use either the Lumocolor or the Sharpie.

Also, the silver Sharpies are also great on glossy items and they dry pretty quick, too.

[baseballguy601]

great info to those new @ it