help, need spring training help!

[newguy24]

me and my dad will be visiting the cactus league this march for the 1st time. since i can only go over spring break, i have to decide which 3 days i should go. the days are march 21-april 2. would going on the weekend be too crowded?
or would it be less crowded to go during the week, like a mon-wed? also, does anyone know where the white sox practice? is it at camelback stadium? are you able to get the white sox players as they walk in?

thanks,
newguy24

(no i will not be taking 50/50s)

[propete23]

I used to live in Arizona for 10 years, and have graphed the cactus league very well. The sox used to be in Tucson, and didnt draw very well. Now that they are sharing a facility with Dodgers (and its the newest park) Im sure that they are drawing much better. I would try some practices in the morning (not as many people there) and bigger players are more accessable. During and after games, many of the bigger names will head out early and sign just a few autos, if any.

Im not a Brewers fan, but used to go to that park alot due to the accessability to players and had real great successes. Prince, La Porta, Weeks, Hall, cameron, etc. Everyone signed but Ben Sheets. The security was pretty cool, and since I was there most mornings, got to know them. The stadium where sox play was not open yet when I moved away from Phx, so no help there.

here are a few tips to getting autos

DONT GO WHEN THE CUBS PLAY!!! There will be mobs of people at the game no matter where they play! I dont care if the game was starting at midnight, they have the best following. Rangers are kinda rude and didnt sign much as per my experiences. Mariners and Padres facility is great, and there are lots of restaurants around to hang out at after the game.

Also, try going to the A's facility... its an older stadium and great for graphing.
Angels stadium is older as well, but weekend games get sold out. Try and get them as they leave thru RF to parking lots. (When players are out of uni, they are harder to recognize if not a superstar!)

Let us know where you and your dad will be staying, and I could help more. Like I said, I hit most of the stadiums when time allowed during ST. PM me if you would like more info.


Pete

[newguy24]

thanks propete23,

can anyone else help me out?

[newguy24]

anyone?

[shoemajt]

From what I hear- the Reds/Tribe ballpark in Goodyear, AZ is horrible for getting sigs. They didn't make it very "fan friendly" for access to the players. Supposedly so many people complained they were going to make changes to the layout. I guess there is also NOTHING around it to- so nowhere cool to go in walking distance before and after games.

[Cubbieblue29]

I went one year and went to three games.

1st Two at HoHoKam With the Cubbies.

Only got DeRosa, Daryle Ward, and Wood. But the only reason I may reccomend going to one cubs game is because Fergie Jenkins runs a charity booth in left field where him and lee smith and other ball players sign autos and usually autos are free unless the Autograph Nazi is there.

Went to a Giants Mariners game and got so many autographs on one ball I dont know who any of them are.

[propete23]

that was not a slam on the cubs, but as a former phoenician, I noticed that every other plate in the area was from Illinois. Hence the amount of Cubs/Bears fans.

Main thing is to have fun. If you happen to get a superstar, play the lotto later that night. Go early in the ST season, as many players head out for "home" and the last week seems to be a who's who of players that will not wear that jersey ever again. Still, baseball is baseball, and love to watch in the sun no matter who is out there.

Dont expect to get a Vlad Guerrero, Prince Fielder, etc after the game. they usually cut out around the 5th inning and get some BP or whirlpool action the rest of the day.

[indyreds]

I will give you a big tip that no one else here has not yet. Anytime that you go to do stadiums be sure to bring along an item or two that can be signed by anyone. I always tried to have either index cards or a baseball with me at all times. I have gotten players to sign index cards if I was not sure who they were before and asked for their uniform number on the index card. Then a quick check on the roster might reveal that you missed a large name and send your dad over with an nicer item to sign or just frame the index with the players photo for a nice display. The baseball is in case you do get lucky and run into a big name that you did not expect, but would love on the ball. I would be very upset say Joe Morgan or John Bench showed up at a Reds game and I had a chance for their auto and had nothing for them to sign. Another trick at baseball stadiums is to look in the section behind homeplate for former players who now scout. One of my coolest finds behind the plate was Jose Rijo who took the time to chat with me and another guy in between innings and sign a ball each for us. Another place to check once the game starts is in the gift shop. I know that sounds odd, but what you are looking for is used items. I have been to a number of minor league stadiums who sell cracked bats or used game used hats and or uniforms. I have seen game used bats as low as $20 in AAA parks, hats as low as $10 and uniforms signed for under $200. Best of luck at the games!

[newguy24]

thank you everyone for all the tips! ill let you know what i get there!