By Dan Foote:
For years I had been told that the “Best time to get autographs during Spring Training” was between the time the players report and the games start. Well, as an “Autograph Hunter”(see note below), I decided I had to try it out for myself.
The first thing I learned was: “I was NOT prepared for the trip”. This point was proven when I was still up “getting things together” at 11 p.m. on Tuesday. This point was again proven when at 4 a.m. Wednesday, I was out of bed and “getting things together”. FINALLY, around 5:30 Wednesday morning, I was off (my rocker) and heading to Scottsdale, AZ (six hours down the road).
Of course, since I didn’t start out as early as I had hoped, I didn’t get to Scottsdale as early as I wanted. This means that I missed the workouts. HOWEVER, it also means that I timed my arrival in such a way that I was there, waiting, when the players started to leave. The hunt was on!
I was able to get Jean Machi, Jeremy Affeldt, Juan Perez, Matt Duffy and Hunter Pence. I was able to SEE Bumgarner, Crawford, Lincecum, Posey, Aoki and Panik. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get their autographs, but I saw them. When Casilla left (the last one TO leave), it was after 4:30 in the afternoon and I was beat
From watching other people (and fumbling with my loose trading cards), it was proven again that I was not prepared. So, on my way to the hotel, I stopped at Michael’s to get a sketch book (I had SOME some photo corners).
Once I was settled at the hotel I broke out my stash of trading cards for Thursday’s adventure. I put all of them in alphabetical order and started to set up my book for autographs. FINALLY, I was getting prepared (a day late and two autographs short – so to speak).
Again, it was proven that I was not prepared. I left home with several photos on my laptop, that I had planned to print out and try to get signed. I even brought a small 4×6 printer (Canon Selphy CP780 – it prints water proof prints at your convenience). UNFORTUNATELY, I didn’t make sure this older printer would work with my brand new laptop………and without the disks with me, the answer was NO!
Again, I was up until almost 11. However, on Thursday, I slept in and didn’t get out of bed until 6! Once I was up, dressed and ready, I was out the door and heading to Camelback, to see the Dodgers.
Thursday, I discovered that not all Spring Training Camp experiences are the same for the fans. Here, there were fields you could get to for both the Dodgers and the White Sox, so you could watch the players work out. However, it seemed most of the time fans were standing around hoping to get an autograph.
I was excited to see Sandy Koufax (disappointed he didn’t sign that day). I never saw Don Mattingly, but I did see Mark McGwire (again, he didn’t sign while I was around). There were a lot of players/coaches I SAW, but few who actually signed when I was around.
Scott Van Slyke, Tommy Lasorda, Chris Heisey and Davey Lopes all signed for me. I guess I couldn’t complain. Some people left with nothing.
Again, it was stop at Michael’s for a few more photo corners. Then back to the hotel to get my laptop (proving I wasn’t prepared – I left my data stick at home, so I had to buy another one) and off to WalMart to print some photos for Friday. With photos in hand, I was safely back in my room and setting up.
Before the workouts began on Friday, I was able to get Randy Bush. Later, I saw Kyle Schwarber and he stopped (I had to hand him things over a fence, but it worked) and he signed for me and a few others. Some time later, someone cornered Theo Epstein and the race was on. I showed up as she stopped him and then here came another person, and then another and another………..whew! Glad I was there quick.
By the time the day was over, I missed Starlin Castro (who signed about ten items) and Addison Russell (who signed a few items). However, I was able to get Dexter Fowler, Kris Bryant and Chris Valaika.
Then, just like that, everyone was gone and it was time to make that long, six hour drive back home.
When all was said and done, I acquired twenty autographs from fifteen different sports figures, at three different MLB Spring Training Camps. I’m not complaining.
I learned that MOST teams have activities that fans can watch (to some extent) between 10 and 1. Some camps allow fans to get close to the action and some do not. Some allow fans close to (NOT IN) the player/staff parking lots and some do not.
No matter what camps you go to, you need to BE PREPARED. Have your items ready, organized and easily accessible, so when a player opportunity arrives, you’re on your game and ready, not fumbling.
However, the MOST important thing to remember is: HAVE FUN and BE POLITE!
Note: To me, an “Autograph Hunter” is someone who goes and tries to get their one or two maybe three) autographs from a player/celebrity, and the “Autograph Hound” is the person there with the eight to ten of the same card that they’re only want to sell. The Hound is also the person who is rude and pushes others out of the way, to get their autographs that they’re going to sell. Either way, they want the autographs to sell, not for their own enjoyment. Often they are rude to the fans and Hunters and sometimes even to the players.