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08-23-2005, 11:00 AM
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#16 (permalink) |
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Founding Member
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Memphis
Inside A Outside - visitors A+ (they have to come out the front gate, no place to hide) Home - D (they all sneak out the back towards the apartments and the Nazi security won't let you go after them) Total B+ - visitors are great, home is a little tougher Jackson, TN (West Tennessee) Inside - visitors B+ - getting relievers can be tough home - B+ - getting relievers can be tough again Outside - F-- if security won't let you in th back. A++ if you sneak past security Total - just depends, but it is usually pretty good B+ Little Rock (Arkansas) Inside A++ - its just too easy Outside A+ - a little tricky trying to cover both gates, but can be done with 2 sets of eyes Total - This is minor league baseball at its best! 102+ temperatures, dusty infield, playing surface with more hills and valleys than the Great Smokies, but the players can't run and hide from you. Most wouldn't anyway. Usually my biggest numbers come from Ray Winder Field. |
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08-26-2005, 04:10 PM
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#17 (permalink) |
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Founding Member & MiLB Photographer
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Nelson Wolff Stadium - San Antonio Texas
Home Inside B Plenty of space between the dugout and the bullpen where you have time to call a player over to get his auto. Quite a few players will run out to the field without stopping. Their is a small space at the home plate side of the dugout where you can get them as they come out of the clubhouse. Outside B You have to know the players patterns. Many Missions players will sneek out the visitors clubhouse door to avoid signing autographs for unknowing fans. Visitors Inside A Plenty of space between the dugout and the bullpen where you have time to call a player over to get his auto. Their is a small space at the home plate side of the dugout where you can get them as they come out of the clubhouse. Outside A The visitors come out of either of the two clubhouse doors but must go by you to go out the gate to the waiting team bus. Being able to recognize a player in civilian clothes is a must. Dell Diamond - Round Rock, Texas Inside B- Gates open 1 1/2 hours prior to the game. The clubhouses are located under the Home Run Porch on beyond the left field fence. Get their as the gates open and get your spot at the top of the steps, the best spot is right next to the pole. Be prepared because when the players come out of the clubhouse you will only have a few seconds to get them before they are by you and heading down the steps to the field. After the game you can get a few as the come up the steps to leave the field. Outside B+ Home Round Rock exits their clubhouse outside the stadium beyond the left center field fence. There is plenty of light so as long as you can recognize the player you can get them. Visitors come out on the other side of the clubhouse complex beyond the left field fence. There is not much light there so you have to pay attention as the players come out an go to the waiting bus which is only 20 yards away. Recreation Park - Visalia California Inside A+ I love this place. Both teams walk out onto the field from the clubhouse which are located down the left field line. Rec Park is small and you are close to the game which makes it extremely fun to just watch a ballgame. |
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09-12-2005, 10:07 AM
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#18 (permalink) |
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Charter Member
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FISHERCATS BALLPARK: Manchester, NH
inside A, the seats extend from foul pole to foul pole giving fans great access and plenty of room to spread out. The bullpens are on the right and left field lines at seat level. If you come early, you can often get starters throwing on their off day. The only reason it doesn't grade out higher is that unlike Gill the players come through the dugouts so if the player is dead set on not signing can avoid doing so. We're 45 mins from Boston so the Seadogs games tend to sell out, at the same time, certain nights (like mon/tues games) can be lightly attended where you should be able to get whoever you want... outside: gated lot but walking the road behind the right field fence before, after and during games can be a good take. I almost got hit in the head by a Ryan Roberts bomb! concessions: a little pricey, do NOT pay $10 parking, park at the meters on elm for $2.00 in quarters... LELAUCHER PARK, Lowell Mass B+ Nice stadium, unlike FCB there is not as much front row area so it can get cramped near the dugouts and also, because the Spinners draw 4-5K, there is more competition for autos and foul balls, and the bullpens are not as accessible. Spinners however are very good about signing... There is a path behind the outfield wall to walk for balls but it seems to be scouted regularly. Outside: good bus parks along 3rd base line Concessions: pretty reasonable, plenty of kiosks and good selection HADLOCK FIELD Portland maine Many of the comments for Lelaucher (re: the field dugout area) apply here although there is a nice area behind the 1st base stand where auto collectors stand, they even set up a little corral for fans to stand to get the opposing team. There is a good crowd and it can get competitive but the people in Maine are really friendly. Even though we were wearing the opposing teams jerseys (Fishercats) the ushers and fans asked us quite a bit about our new stadium. Most understood that we're sox fans too... slugger the seadog is one of the best mascots I've seen IMHO... outside, not bad, if you time it right you can catch the oppossing teams bus and I'm told players sometimes walk from the Doubletree Concessions: reasonable, hotels in the area (within walking distance) can be a little pricey, great little chinese place in the strip mall nearby which also has margarita's and if you play guitar, check out Friendly River Fretted Instruments, really nice stuff in there HOLMAN STADIUM Nashua NH home of Atlantlic League's Pride, an older stadium but it has it's charm, it actually housed the Nashua Dodgers in the 40's and some of the historic Dodger greats played here. since refurbed... It has a nice deep bowl. It's kind of homey, it is lightly attended (guessing they avg 500-1000 on a good night) and you are VERY CLOSE to the players . If you come prepared you should do VERY WELL... I'm not saying to run up to someone 30 seconds before game time with 10 cards but you should be able to get at least 1 sig from every player if you're polite. My impression was that the Pride are so used to playing to small crowds that they're very appreciative to the fans that do show up. Try to catch monkey boy, he's not there all the time but he's a mascot who wears a cheap monkey suit and is one of the best mascots I've ever seen. the kids go nuts... Outside, visitor's bus on 3rd base line, Pride players park on 1st base line and are often milling around outside. I saw Butch Hobson waxing the hood on his truck the other night. It's so easy inside that I wouldn't have thought of bothering him concessions: a little pricey but offset by free parking and programs. if you bring a kid and hang out down the lines, you have an 98% of leaving with a foul ball. |
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10-05-2005, 05:00 PM
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#19 (permalink) | |
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Wilmington
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Inside:A...although you have to move for season ticket holders, there are still open seats all around, and if you miss them coming out of the tunnel you can get them coming out of the dugout to warm up, and players come over while they are warming up if you call them. Also, during BP, including me there are about 10 people so if you are going for one or two key people it is actually hard to miss them Outside: A+...You pick either home or away, stand by the door, and the only way you can miss someone is if you are busy getting a different person or if you are not paying attention Overall: A...the only people you miss are the ones that arnt signing, I have gotten entire teams done in a day before
__________________
-Mike Life is Good
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10-22-2005, 10:29 PM
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#21 (permalink) |
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Independent League
Nashua- Holman Stadium Inside - B You can walk right over to the visitor's clubhouse door but it's pretty much one team or the other as you can't go back and forth well. Outside - B+ Before the game you can park in the same lot as the players and get them there. Have never tried afterwards. Total - B+ The stadium is so small it's really really easy. Eastern League Portland- Hadlock Field Inside - A- I've been doing Portland for awhile and it actually is fairly easy inside once you get the feel of the place. Dugouts are real easy and so are the player gates. They have a player signing everyday down in the concourse for half an hour before the game. I've gotten between 30 and 80 autographs for the majority of my games here. Outside - D+ You can get autographs by the parking lot or while the players/coaches are in their cars, which proves successful if you know what you're doing and can identify the players by face. You can easily get kicked out of the parking lot though by the GM. Total - B I love this park, but the outside really brings the grade down. New Hampshire- Fishercats ballpark? Inside - A It's really, really easy to get autographs by the dugout and once in an hour before the game there I got 65 autographs from the FisherCats alone. They have the runway right in the dugout which makes it easy. Outside - INC Never tried it, but I'll take DaveL's word for it as he's a big autograph collector that I've gotten autos with in Portland before. Total - B (INC grade) Really beautiful park, all around. |
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10-22-2005, 10:56 PM
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#22 (permalink) | |
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Founding Member
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Quote:
lol WOW.... VERY BIASED about PORTLAND..... lol come on; even you have to admit getting autos inside is terrible........
__________________
About 70% of My Personal Collection for Premium Items: http://nicksportsautographs.com/gall...?g2_itemId=282 4823 in 2008 |
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11-17-2005, 10:52 AM
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#24 (permalink) |
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Founding Member
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Pacific Coast League
Memphis Redbirds Inside: A+ The program states autograph seekers must return to their seats after batting practice but the ushers tell you to leave 15 minutes before game time. However, if you go to the outfield side of the dugouts, you can ask up to game time. Gates open 1 hour before the game Monday - Friday and 1 1/2 hours before Saturday and Sunday. Autograph nights: C Several tables are put up in the concourse area where 2 to 4 players will sit. If security is watching, you're limited to one per player. You're doing real good to get 2 or 3. Since the tables are spread out, it's difficult to get the whole team but at least all fans get a few autographs. There are only 1 or 2 nights like this a year. Sunday autograph booth: A Usually 2 to 4 players sit in the gazebo next to the shop and sign from about 12:45 to 1:15. If you wait for a break in the action, most players will sign what you have. This is volunteer so the tough signers usually don't show up. Outside: B++ The only reason I grade a B is because of home team access. The stadium courtyard/park area is accessible after the game but the gates to the park are closed to fans. Both teams come out inside the gates. Visitors walk to their hotel two blocks away and some Redbirds walk to their car parked in the garage. However, hometeam players that live in the apartments behind the stadium walk through the ballpark. You can wait out behind the stadium for these players but then you miss the visiting team. Also, the Redbirds like to do post-game concerts on Friday and Saturday so you have to keep a sharp eye out for the players leaving while the concert is playing. Total: A The only issue in Memphis is that some of the game day security staff hates autograph collectors. We counter them by obeying all of their rules so there isn't much they can say to us. Nashville Sounds Inside: B There are a lot more collectors at the Nashville games so some players limit their signing. If you're new, they're more open to you. There is a net on the home team side of the dugouts and not much room to stand so you're limited to the outfield side of the dugouts. The regulars there feel they own the front rail so I usually let them have it. The ushers run you off about 10-15 minutes before gametime. Outside: C You have to choose which team to get. The visitors exit on the 1st base side of the stadium. There, they have a hotel van waiting on them so the players have an excuse not to sign. The home team exits on the 3rd base side of the stadium and are usually much easier to get than the visitors. Overall: B Nashville is gettting a new stadium for 2007. Texas League Arkansas Travelers Inside: A Both the home team and visiting team have easy access. The home team has two areas near the dugout where there are not any seats so that autograph collectors have a place to stand. The visiting team has one area (above the dugout). However, I usually stand to the outfield side of the dugout so I can see who is coming out and either ask him to sign on the way out to stretch or call him over. Gates open 1 hour before gametime. Autographers are not asked to leave on the visitors side. Home side autographers have to leave after the National Anthem. Oustide: A On weeknights, the gates are usually locked about 15-20 minutes after the game. This forces both teams to leave the stadium via a one-way turnstile exit. On weekends and on get-away nights (so equipment can be loaded onto the bus) the front gate is left open. You can stand where you can see the visiting and home team leaving the stadium but it's not as easy as standing by one exit. Overall: A+ I've never had a problem in Little Rock. They're planning to build a new stadium which may or may not be ready for the 2007 season so things may change. Southern League West Tennessee DiamondJaxx Inside: C- The clubhouses are outside the leftfield wall and players walk in from there. Gates open one hour before gametime and usually both teams are off the field by then. When they come out, many players put their equipment down and stretch before going to the dugout. You're then limited to getting players as they go to the dugout after pre-game warmup. The bullpen guys don't walk by the fans and go straight to the pen. You can lower your items to the players in the pen or some will stand on the bench and reach for your stuff. Autograph Nights: A+ Several times a season the team has a pre-game autograph session for the Diamond Jaxx. The players sit in a semi-circle row of chairs behind home plate and fans walk down onto the field and go down the line. No limits are enforced but many players say they can only get a few since there are more people in line. Get to the park early and get in line on the home plate side of the visitors dugout. These nights are posted on the promotion calendar. Outside: C- The clubhouse access is inside a gated area behind the stadium and fan access is not permitted. However, in 8 years of getting autographs in Jackson, I've only been evicted from this area once. Both teams come out basically the same way so you can at least get both teams after. Security has been more relaxed the past few years but I still give a C- since technically you are not supposed to be back there asking for autographs. Overall: C- This ballpark seems to be intentionally built to hinder autograph requests. It takes a lot of work to get who you need but it is possible. Huntsville Stars Inside: A+ Gates are open for batting practice. Enough said here I think. You can get both teams without much hassle before the game starts. If you buy your ticket before, if you're asked to leave before the gates open, the usher will sometimes tear your ticket and let you stay. Sometimes, they don't bother checking so you may not have to leave at all--or even buy a ticket. After: B Visitors and home team players exit on opposite sides of the stadium. You have to choose who to go after but access is very easy. If you go for BP though, you shouldn't have anyone left to ask after the game. Overall: A+ If you don't get everyone you're after in Huntsville, you either did not try or you were turned down. Tennessee Smokies Inside: B There isn't a lot of room beside the dugouts to get autographs. You can get them but you may be standing behind someone if there are more than 2 or 3 people asking. Outside: B Same as Huntsville--teams exit via opposite sides. Access is easy for the team you pick but you can't get both teams. Overall: B Take your cards with you if you plan a trip to Gatlinburg. The stadium is 45 minutes away with the traffic but easy to find. Mississippi Braves Inside: A There are two ways to get to the clubhouses--both are on the third base side of the field. Home players have an exit in the dugout and visitors have a gate two rows down from the home dugout. Some home players go in and out of this gate. The home team can be tough if there are a lot of kids asking for autographs though. Outside: A Both teams come out the same side of the stadium so you should be able to get whoever you missed before. Overall: A |
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12-19-2005, 08:23 PM
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#27 (permalink) | |
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Moderator & Founding Member
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__________________
"Why do people sing Take Me Out to The Ballgame when they're already there?" |
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12-22-2005, 02:19 PM
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#29 (permalink) | |
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Banned
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Inside A+ if u r there for either team (Cardinals always sign, so do hammmerheads) outside A- No security, but the grounds crew are idiots and for the Cardinals side, you just need to walk around (a gate at the end of the parkinglot and they odnt care if you are in there or not) overall A great place for first timers to collect and old timers too (no pun intended just i mean seasond graphers). Daytona F horrible al over Brevard C not much better than daytona just a good place for singles ST. Lucie F horrible and the security is horrible |
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