IP-Chicago burbs:arfmax:2014

[RheaumeForever]

Where do you find out about these signings? Sorry I'm new to this.

[arfmax]

This is the last year that the Chicago Bulls will be practising in their suburban practice center, and I have always wanted to try to get autos there. I went a month or so ago for the first time, and got completely shut out, as I didn't recognize the cars that the players were driving, and didn't figure out who the player was until they zoomed away. Decided I would try it one more time, and arranged to meet up with fellow SCF'er chitownautos.
This time, things went much better. I was able to get 1 card signed by Carlos Boozer, 1 signed by Kirk Hinrich, 2 signed by Ronnie Brewer, 2 signed by Tony Snell, 1 signed by Jimmer Fredette, and 1 signed by Mike Dunleavy. I think I may go back tomorrow and try one more time!

Photo of the signed Bulls cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2b6cdb13.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 111

[arfmax]

Gave it one more try at the Chicago Bulls practice facility in Deerfield, IL. Many of the players zoomed past in their cars without stopping, including Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, and others, but I was able to get 2 cards signed by Ronnie Brewer, 2 signed by Tony Snell, and 1 signed by Joakim Noah.

Photo of the signed Bulls cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps40fcc954.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 116

[arfmax]

Today I went to the Grand Reopening of the Menards in Tinley Park, IL, and got autographs from former Chicago White Sox outfielder, member of the 2005 World Series Champions, and 2005 World Series MVP Jermaine Dye. Mr. Dye signed 1 authentic ball on the sweet spot, but would not inscribe anything on anyone's items, and he also signed 7 cards for me.

Photo of the Dye signed items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3e92345.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 124

[arfmax]

After about a 1-month delay due to health reasons, I finally got back out to a signing. Today, I went to an appearance by former Chicago White Sox slugger Ron Kittle, and got 4 cards signed, for free, in Norridge, IL. Unfortunately, he signed them all in black, and I wasn't quick enough to ask him to sign in blue. Oh well. Mr. Kittle will not sign his 1984 Topps card without a $25 donation to charity, so although I had the card with me, I chose not to get it signed. I also bought a bobblehead from him, which he had presigned, for a charitable donation.

Photo of the 4 cards signed by Mr. Kittle:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pscb4b1fdc.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 128

[arfmax]

Today I went to the Schaumburg Boomers game against the Florence Freedom. The Boomers play in the Frontier League, which is an independent baseball league. Some of the players have cards in Pro Debut or Bowman, so I was able to get a few cards signed. I got 2 cards signed by former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect Benjamin Kline, 2 cards signed by former LA pitching prospect T.J. Nall, 2 cards signed by former Miami Marlins infield prospect Brian McConkey, 2 cards signed by former Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Hunter Ackerman, and 1 card signed by former Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Cameron Roth.

Photo of all 9 of the autographed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psc6c247da.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 137

[arfmax]

Today, I went to the Northwoods League baseball game between the Kenosha Kingfish and the Mankato Moondogs. The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball league comprising teams of the top college players from North America and beyond. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid, so as to maintain their college eligibility. The only player or manager that had a card was Kingfish manager Duffy Dyer, and I was able to get him to sign two cards prior to the start of the game.

Photo of the Duffy Dyer autographed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psa1704369.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 139

[arfmax]

Tuesday, I went to the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Minnesota Twins game at Miller Park. I have never tried to graph there, but I decided to go down to field level and try to get some Brewers. The team did not come out until 10 minutes before the game, and only a few went to warm up on the field. All of them (Khris Davis, Lyle Overbay, Jean Segura, Scooter Gennett) ignored me and my daughter, who were the only two people calling to them. Sitting at the edge of the dugout was outfielder Logan Schafer, so I called to him, and he came over and signed two cards. So, that was all I got, which is better than nothing!

Photo of the 2 signed Logan Schafer cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps60653afe.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 141

[arfmax]

Today I went to the Grand Opening of the Dick's Sporting Goods in Chicago, IL and got 4 autographs, 1 on an 8x10, and 3 on cards, from Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, for free. The photo came out the best, I got it from Photofile last week, and love the black and white background, the color of Marshall, and the gold paint pen worked great.

Photo of the Brandon Marshall signed items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psfa128a48.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 145

[arfmax]

Yesterday I went to the Schaumburg Boomers game against the River City Rascals, to try to get Rascals pitching coach Todd Worrell for my 1987 Topps autographed set. Unfortunately, Mr. Worrell doesn't travel on road trips with the team, so I wasn't able to get him, but I did get 2 cards signed by former Seattle Mariners infield prospect Taylor Ard, 2 cards signed by former New York Yankees 1st base prospect Saxon Butler, and 2 cards signed by former Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Evan Crawford.

Photo of all 6 of the autographed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5033795a.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 151