Autograph Seeking

All my life I have loved the game of baseball and as I have gotten older I have tried to do different things to keep connected to the game I love.  Growing up it was easy because every summer I was always on a team and could play baseball day in and day out. However, now that I am an adult I don’t have the time to play baseball/softball all the time and because of this I felt like I was losing some of my passion for the game.

Then a couple of years ago I went to Arizona for spring training with most of my family.  We planned to attend a game almost every day we were there and at the first game we went too my brother-in-law, his daughter, and myself all went to get a few autographs on some balls and cards that we had.

Instantly I was transported back to my childhood, as each player stopped, signed an autograph, and in many cases talked with us.

Now let me make it very clear that that I get autographs for my collection and not for selling.  For me selling the autographs would be like taking a memory away from me. Plus since I get a majority of my autographs on either baseball cards or photos that I have taken, they don’t take up too much room when they are put into a binder.

Now I know there are a lot of beginners to the autograph world out there so let me offer you some tips that I have had others share with me or that I have just learned on my own.

Tip #1: Blue sharpie looks the best on almost every card and on photos. It really shows up well and looks good.  Now I still recommend black on bats, hats, and balls.

Tip #2: Balls and bats look really cool autographed but they take up a lot of space so feel free to invest in some cards. Beckett has an online market place that you can order cards through.  Most cards are only a quarter and if you order through the same store the shipping is cheaper.  I go through Hoopla Sports Cards because they are Portland based and I have been to the store personally.

Tip #3: Most players wont sign blank pieces of paper for security reasons (easy to forge signature) so if you can’t get a card of a player but don’t want them signing a ball or bat check out this website http://www.theautographcard.com/ It has some cool blank cards that players will sign.

Tip #4: Remember that although baseball is a game, it still is the players job, so treat them and their time with respect.  Getting mad because a guy wont sign one minute before a game or during a game is your problem, not theirs.  Also when they are warming up and getting ready for a game don’t keep yelling at them.  If they stopped every time someone yelled their name they would never get ready for the game in time.

Tip #5: Minor League games, spring training games and Fan Fest events are the best places to get autographs.  Minor League players are usually pretty willing to sign autographs whenever they are asked (remember tip #4).  Spring training offers a relaxed situation for the major league players and at stadiums like Peoria, there is an actual autograph area that is protected from the field of play.

Tip #6: On really glossy cards smear just a bit of baby powder on it and the sharpie will stay on it perfectly.  If you don’t the ink tends to shrivel up. Also you can test some autographs on glossy cards and then erase the autograph by using a white board marker over the sharpie and then wiping it off.

Tip #7: SAY THANK YOU.  I’ve seen players stand there staring at people waiting for a simple thank you or please.  Players are far more likely to sign more autographs if they enjoy the moment too.

Getting autographs for me has become away for me to stay connected with the game I love, as well has allowing me the opportunity to create memories that I can some day share with my children.