In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of exhibition games preceding the regular season. It serves the purpose of both auditioning players for final positions in the team and giving players practice prior to competitive play.
Spring training has always been a wonderful attraction for the fans, drawing crowds who travel to parts of the country with moderate seasonal climates to enjoy the great weather and watch their favorite teams play at the same time. It is also great time to spend time with the family together enjoying the training of your favorite team. Your kids will definitely enjoy it and will get to see how teams practice prior to actual games. If your child's school schedule allows it, this would be a great experience for him or her. For most of the teams, spring training lasts about a month and a half, from early March to the opening of the season. You can take advantage of the various locations where the teams conduct spring training and take a short vacation. Spring season is the ideal time to enjoy both the games of your favorite baseball team and have a vacation with your family and friends.
For your family and friends to get the most out of spring training, I have prepared some advice and guidelines. To begin with, let me say that the best moments to go see the spring training is in the first few weeks. This is because at the beginning of the training, the players are more relaxed overall and players display more of the spirit of training. After the first few weeks and as baseball season nears, however, the player's attitudes become more serious, and the players won't be so relaxed with the public. Furthermore, some players are sent home before the end of the spring training, so the best time is to go in the first weeks of February. I have also noticed that most of the people only attend the games. If possible, my advice is that you should go to the rookie training camps too.
You can enjoy most of the spring-training facilities at no charge if you pay a few extra dollars to park your car. Why is that? Well, a few years ago my kids bumped into the MLB ball players practicing as we toured the facilities. This is really something that would never happen if we were hanging around at a stadium during regular-season play. So, with a little bit of luck you can get their autograph, shake hands, and talk with some of your favorite baseball players. Be sure to have some autograph-able items like baseball bats, pictures, or magazines handy in case such occasions arise.
There are other small things that you can do too. For example, most of the players are used to signing autographs after the training sessions. While getting autographs, you are also more likely to take close up pictures of the players because of the playing ground that they train on. These opportunities should not be missed.
Michael Shapiro
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-spring-training-120201.html
Filed under: Baseball Bats
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With a blue or black pen? I’d stay away from a Sharpie.
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Ball point pen w/ BLUE ink. The black ink will break down over time & a Sharpie will fade over time unless you store it in the perfect climate.
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A blue ball point pen that is bold a won’t skip or smudge. Ask for one at your stationary supply store. Hold the ball with finger tips while the ink drys.
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Have them sing in blue or black ink. Sharpie pens tend to clump and run at times and the signature often looks sloppy.
Also have them sign on the sweet spot of the ball if you can.
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scream to the player
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your blood. it shows your commitment to the team
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use a pen, but stand in front of their car so they have to sign it..
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Red Sox are gay… hahahaha GO ANGELS!!!
Here’s some tips I’ve learned from collecting autographed baseballs:
1. Use ONLY a BLUE ballpoint pen – preferably BIC. Have several with you – they sometimes don’t get returned or you may misplace one. Make sure ink is flowing before handing to player.
2. If he is a player you recognize and you have a fresh ball – ask him to sign on the sweet spot. Sweet spot is usually reserved for the manager – Bobby Cox of Braves.
3. Unless you are trying to get as many signatures as possible on one ball, have other balls with you.
4. Spring training has many players you never heard of and probably never will again. If you don”t know who the player is, you may not want his autograph on your ball. It’s Quality – not Quantity.
5. Again, know who is signing the ball – players’ signatures are not always legible and later you won’t have a clue who signed.
6. Be polite – always say Please and Thank You. Players are not obligated to sign anything – except their multi-million $ dollar contracts.
7. Refer to the players as Mr. _________. Never "Hey You" or "Can you sign my ball?"
8. Let the ink dry – do not rub your fingers over the ball.
9. Place the ball back into its box in between signings.
10. Buy Official Major League baseballs for autographs – in case you score some great signatures, they will be worth more than a Little League stamped ball.
11.Buy plastic Ball Cubes to store your signed balls for display.
Have fun. Remember you may not always get the player’s signature you want – be patient – the next one could be even better.
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Have personally collected over 200 signed baseballs
What's the best way to sign a baseball?
We are going to the Braves spring training and I need to know the best method of baseball signing. I know you shouldn’t use permanent marker, but is a normal Bic better? Should I get a felt or nicer pen to have the highest and most durable effect without fading or bleeding?
Also – any tips on how I can get more players to sign my baseball without flashing people or offering up a cute toddler that would be fantastic!!