IP-Chicago and burbs:arfmax:2016

[arfmax]

Yesterday, I was in Green Bay (3 hour drive from my home), as I was picking up my child from camp. Since I was there, I decided to go to Packers training camp and try to get autographs. Practice started at 8:15 am, and I got there around 7, and decided to go to the area by the players parking lot, where the players come out of Lambeau and pick a bicycle to ride to practice. I assumed that they would stand around and sign autographs. I learned that I was quite wrong, as they signed for no one there, just grabbed a bike and gave the kid their helmet and went on their way. It is a cool tradition to see, anyway.
I finally decided to walk to the end of the bike route to try there. I went to the end, right in front of the practice field gates, and that is where all the players get off the bikes and go into the field. There was a huge crowd on both sides of the fence trying to get autographs, and I was late to the party. Some players stopped and signed, some ignored, etc. Almost every player did the bike thing, with the exception of Peppers, Matthews, and Rodgers (although we saw Rodgers come out). Kenny Clark, the 1st round draft pick, stood there for 10 minutes signing, however, he was on the opposite side of the waiting area. I finally ended up with one player, undrafted rookie Manoa Pikula, a linebacker from Brigham Young, who signed my mini autograph ball. I was disappointed, but since I really didn't have much information to go on, I assumed I wouldn't do very well. I also got a hand slap from Jordy Nelson, who was the last one to arrive, after the horn went off.

Photo of the Pikula auto:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pszs2yxhzs.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 352

[arfmax]

Part II:
After the first signing, I went to the Wisconsin State Fair, which is located in West Allis, WI. The Bucks sponsor a booth where they sell flavored milk, and they have some players appearing throughout the Fair. After they finish with the Milk House, they go inside the Expo Center, and are at a merch booth indoors. Today, they had Milwaukee Bucks player Rashad Vaughn appearing, and I was able to get 7 cards signed, for free. He really liked the black and white Panini Noir card, which I picked up the other day at a card store, and he showed it to everyone he was with.

Photo of the Rashad Vaughn autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pseimvpqnd.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 359

[PackerBum9786]

Yesterday, I was in Green Bay (3 hour drive from my home), as I was picking up my child from camp. Since I was there, I decided to go to Packers training camp and try to get autographs. Practice started at 8:15 am, and I got there around 7, and decided to go to the area by the players parking lot, where the players come out of Lambeau and pick a bicycle to ride to practice. I assumed that they would stand around and sign autographs. I learned that I was quite wrong, as they signed for no one there, just grabbed a bike and gave the kid their helmet and went on their way. It is a cool tradition to see, anyway.
I finally decided to walk to the end of the bike route to try there. I went to the end, right in front of the practice field gates, and that is where all the players get off the bikes and go into the field. There was a huge crowd on both sides of the fence trying to get autographs, and I was late to the party. Some players stopped and signed, some ignored, etc. Almost every player did the bike thing, with the exception of Peppers, Matthews, and Rodgers (although we saw Rodgers come out). Kenny Clark, the 1st round draft pick, stood there for 10 minutes signing, however, he was on the opposite side of the waiting area. I finally ended up with one player, undrafted rookie Manoa Pikula, a linebacker from Brigham Young, who signed my mini autograph ball. I was disappointed, but since I really didn't have much information to go on, I assumed I wouldn't do very well. I also got a hand slap from Jordy Nelson, who was the last one to arrive, after the horn went off.

Photo of the Pikula auto:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pszs2yxhzs.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 352

you should have hit me up man I was one of the guys in the crowd lol. If you decide to ever do it again hit me up and I will help you out with it. I go up every year for training camp.

[arfmax]

you should have hit me up man I was one of the guys in the crowd lol. If you decide to ever do it again hit me up and I will help you out with it. I go up every year for training camp.

I will definitely know better if there is a next time! However, it's a three hour drive, so probably not, unless my daughter goes back to camp next summer!

[arfmax]

I will definitely know better if there is a next time! However, it's a three hour drive, so probably not, unless my daughter goes back to camp next summer!

I only decided last minute, originally, I was picking her up in Green Bay, and then going to Lake Delavan/Lake Geneva, and I was going to go to a Chase Anderson (Brewers pitcher) signing Saturday morning, but it got bumped out a couple of weeks, so the Packers thing was last minute.

[arfmax]

Part I:
This morning, I went to the grand opening of a Dick's Sporting Goods in Brookfield, WI, a suburb of Milwaukee, for an appearance by former Wisconsin Badgers star, and Houston Rockets player, Sam Dekker. Dekker was phenomenal for Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament, helping them to the Championship game in 2015, was drafted by Houston, but missed most of his rookie season with an injury. I was able to get 7 cards and 1 8x10 signed, for free, with the help of my family.

Photo of the Dekker autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pseggzzsuv.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 367

[PackerBum9786]

I will definitely know better if there is a next time! However, it's a three hour drive, so probably not, unless my daughter goes back to camp next summer!

I only decided last minute, originally, I was picking her up in Green Bay, and then going to Lake Delavan/Lake Geneva, and I was going to go to a Chase Anderson (Brewers pitcher) signing Saturday morning, but it got bumped out a couple of weeks, so the Packers thing was last minute.

Oh I understand. Its a 7-8 hour drive for me but, the thing that helps is I have family up around there I can stay with. Every year its my vacation and its a great place for auto's. Check out my TTM thread I posted most of my IPs successes in.

But, if you do decide to make the trip next year let me know and we can either meet up if I am there or I can give you some tips.

[arfmax]

Oh I understand. Its a 7-8 hour drive for me but, the thing that helps is I have family up around there I can stay with. Every year its my vacation and its a great place for auto's. Check out my TTM thread I posted most of my IPs successes in.

But, if you do decide to make the trip next year let me know and we can either meet up if I am there or I can give you some tips.

Much obliged, will do!

[arfmax]

Yesterday, I went to the Kane County Cougars (Arizona Diamondbacks Class A) versus the Cedar Rapids Kernels game in Geneva, IL. I was able to get 5 autographs, on cards, from former Diamondbacks catching prospect and now Diamondbacks outfield prospect Stryker Trahan, who I had missed when he came through Kane County in 2015. I also jumped to the other side, and got two autographs on cards from Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Michael Cederoth. Finally, it was NIU night (Northern Illinois University), and former quarterback Chandler Harnish threw out the first pitch. I was able to get Mr. Harnish to sign 5 cards.

Photo of the Trahan autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psdrqjfkwv.jpg

Photo of the Cederoth autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psf2t9gbuh.jpg

Photo of the Harnish autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pshiymsgb6.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 379

[arfmax]

Last stop of my day of graphing was a signing with Chicago Cubs rookie reliever Carl Edwards Jr. It was put on by an autograph company called Crave the Auto, and ticket prices were very reasonable. I purchased two autograph tickets for cards, and got two autographs, at a bar in Chicago, IL.

Photo of the signed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psdembb5rw.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 381