Florida Spring Training questions/ suggestions/tips?

[walker066]

I'm going to Florida (Clearwater) this year for 10 days at the beginning of the games (March 3-12). I went to Spring Training in 2007, so I have some experience in graphing. I'm a huge Red Sox fan, but realize they are a popular team so I'll be happy with some white whales. I will be traveling to multiple ballparks to get other teams as well. Also going to get some fishing, golfing and a Lightning game in during my time.

I purchased a Spring Training guidebook that gives some incite, but hoping you guys have some other suggestions:

1. I'm more of a ROMLB and 8x10 auto type guy. What suggestions besides cards do you have for players that I don't want to get ROMLB?
2. I use a standard Bic Round Stic blue pen for autos. Do you have something that works better?
3. Are practice fields worth the time for specific teams?
4. Any tips for certain ballparks? Certain places to stand or sit? I've been to Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakeland.
5. Have you seen any HOF or older players sign?
6. Any restaurants/bars/activities that you can recommend between Clearwater and any of the ballparks?
7. Anything else you can suggest? Wife will be there for 5 days and my parents will be there the whole time.

Much appreciated!

[anyzesty]

Nothing really to add. I'll be going to Jupiter once or twice this year for the Marlins and Cardinals.

1. I would love to get a black bat autographed in silver. I want one in my collection.
2. From what I've read blue Bic pens are the best for ROMLB.
5. I'll let you know my experiences with Bonds and Mattingly.
6 & 7. Tons of beaches over there if you're into that kind of thing. Especially seashells.

[Pedroia15TheBest]

This year will be my 6th consecutive Spring Training in Florida. Let me see if I can offer any answers.

1. If you do not want to do a ROMLB or 8x10, I would suggest a black bat with silver sharpie, or even gold sharpie (Which looks amazing, did a Phillies bat like that a few years back), or Mini Helmets are always fun to do.
2. I personally use blue Bic pens and think they look great, so I would not change there.
3. Practice fields are excellent if you want to get prospects and such. Usually easier and more successful than going for big names. Big names do sign sometimes though.
4. Avoid Lakeland and Clearwater. I have had very little success in each place with the standing rules prior to the game. Bradenton and Sarasota are good spots. Kissimmee is good, Dunedin is ok, Fort Myers (Red Sox and Twins) are hit or miss.
5. I personally got Bobby Cox, and Joe Torre with relative ease last year alone, so depending on where you are, you can get almost anybody.
6. Only thing I really know in Clearwater is that the original Hooter's restaurant is there. Been there once, just to go, but nothing too special.
7. The beaches are very nice pretty much all around the area, pretty good night life around if you're into malls and different food options.

If you have any other questions or anything, shoot me a message, I would be glad to help.

[PackerBum9786]

I'm going to Florida (Clearwater) this year for 10 days at the beginning of the games (March 3-12). I went to Spring Training in 2007, so I have some experience in graphing. I'm a huge Red Sox fan, but realize they are a popular team so I'll be happy with some white whales. I will be traveling to multiple ballparks to get other teams as well. Also going to get some fishing, golfing and a Lightning game in during my time.

I purchased a Spring Training guidebook that gives some incite, but hoping you guys have some other suggestions:

1. I'm more of a ROMLB and 8x10 auto type guy. What suggestions besides cards do you have for players that I don't want to get ROMLB?
2. I use a standard Bic Round Stic blue pen for autos. Do you have something that works better?
3. Are practice fields worth the time for specific teams?
4. Any tips for certain ballparks? Certain places to stand or sit? I've been to Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakeland.
5. Have you seen any HOF or older players sign?
6. Any restaurants/bars/activities that you can recommend between Clearwater and any of the ballparks?
7. Anything else you can suggest? Wife will be there for 5 days and my parents will be there the whole time.

Much appreciated!

I can't tell you anything about the other stuff you asked about. I've never been to spring training but, I go to Packers training camp and what I do when I don't have an 8x10 or whatever for that player is I go and do my own logo design and just print that out. I usually print them 8x10 and you can get a couple of players on them depending on how big the players signatures are or sometimes I print them 5x7 and you can do single signatures on those.

So you kind of understand what I am talking about I posted one in the best successes of 2015 that I did for Marv Fleming https://www.sportscardforum.com/threa...1#post14055021

[cyberer]

I will be in clearwater/lakeland/tampa area that same time (4th to the 7th probably), and have done it 3 seasons in the past down there (most recently in 2014).

I would be happy to weigh in as well. PM me. Here is a link to my success threads

2011
https://www.sportscardforum.com/threa...=1#post9551069

2012
https://www.sportscardforum.com/threa...1#post11311074

(2013 was in arizona ST)- THIS WAS THE BEST YEAR for me in ST
https://www.sportscardforum.com/threa...1#post12606501

2014
https://www.sportscardforum.com/threa...1#post13278850

[K9rocco]

I've been to most of the parks at one time or another since I live in central Florida. My favorite park for autographs is the Tampa Bay Rays park down in Port Charlotte. The practice fields are on the south side of the parking lot and I have never seen too many people over there to watch them take fielding practice. Every time I have gone my kids have gotten multiple baseballs from the players.

If you do go, buy general admission and get to the park early. Once your inside walk straight to the outfield boardwalk and grab a table over the bullpen/outfield wall. A couple years ago while watching the Twins I had about a half hour conversation with Pat Neshek. He gave us a couple autographed balls before the game started. The best part is you can sit there the whole game, eat/drink, and chat with the ball players.

Other parks that have been friendly for autographs are the Astros in Kissimmee and the Phillies in Clearwater.

[Amditz]

Phillies in Clearwater are getting more difficult. Unless you want to hang around the minor league complex. Most of the stars will pull their cars right through the gated parking lot and back to the area beyond center field scoreboard without signing. Inside the stadium for games there are fans lined up 5 deep all the way from the dugout to the outfield corner...some of the bigger names will sign pregame but it's a push and shove atmosphere...the minor league complex is better but still difficult for the bigger names. Best bet it to hang around the clubhouse in the minor league camp...I also found that later in the day when the minor leaguers are finished you can catch them on the palm tree lined walkway (you will know what I mean when you see it) on their way to their undated parking lot. For the major leaguers there are two places to hang out ..either side around the small infield outside the stadium ..the players come out of the stadium clubhouse and walk one of two ways around the infield to their cars in the gated lot. The small inf is below you ...pick one side or the other..it's too far away to go back and forth.

[cyberer]

I'm a big phillies fan so take this for what it is, but let's be real- the Phillies don't have any stars anymore. Who would someone even go there to get and get snubbed by? Ryan Howard or Chooch? I imagine, like in Philly and the phestival, that the interest has someone waned in recent years.

The last few years, when I'm in clearwater I'm mostly after other teams nearby. I might go this year for JP Crawford though.

[walker066]

Thanks for the input guys. I only saw one response come through my email, so surprised to see all the responses now.

Since I'm not a Phillies fan and live 30 mins from Philly, I'll probably pass on going to any of their games. As mentioned above, they really don't have stars and the ones they do have I already have. Some nice minor league talent, but they are within driving distance of my house. Appreciate the info.

Some really great tips from some of you guys and I might hit you up with a PM as it gets closer and my plans get finalized.