How to help your kids get baseball autographs

Get Baseball Autographs

It happened to all of us once. We were seven years old, laying down on the lawn with the other neighborhood boys, big binders open, constantly flipping pages as we traded baseball cards as if getting a Frank Thomas card was an issue of life or death. While doing so, we all wore our baseball hats from the local little league program. Little Johnny got upset that he traded for a card he already had, so he broke down in tears. His mother heard him crying and came over to please him with a juice box.

I remember those days clearly. I looked up to my favorite baseball players as if they gifts from god. Although many children now find themselves solely involved in video games, they still enjoy watching baseball and look up to today’s major leaguers. For fathers, almost nothing can compare to their son’s face when they meet their favorite player and awkwardly ask for their autograph. This is much easier than many people realize. Players today do many signings and appearances. It is also very easy to get baseball autographs! Here are a few ways I would highly suggest.

1. Before the game, players will get to the stadium one of two ways. They will either use the player’s entrance or walk straight through the front door. The player’s entrance is usually blocked off by a fence surrounding the cars; however, when the athletes leave their cars to walk into the stadium, the fence is usually replaced by a barricade. Players will often go up the barricade and sign autographs for the people who cared so much to arrive early to the game.

The front door is very often used by the visitors. They arrive in taxis. They are dropped off near the main gate so that they can make a short walk to the door. If you hang out around the main entry of the stadium, you can be sure you will see player’s arriving early for batting practice. Do not be afraid to approach them! Many of them are very nice people who like to talk to fans (ESPECIALLY LITTLE KIDS). Some can be a little nasty and pretend to talk on their cell phone, but the pluses outweigh the cons. Kids also get a quick lesson is courtesy and respect when they see how uncaring some athletes can be to the people that look up to them. Don’t let this scare you away though. Many players can be met this way.

In order for this to work, you MUST show up about 3 hours before the game.

2. After batting practice, players will walk by the foul line, play catch, run, stretch, etc. At least one player will always walk over to the fans to sign some autographs real quick before the game. This tip is very easy!  It does not take much effort at all, and you often walk away getting at least one baseball autograph!

3. All Major League baseball teams have a “winterfest” kind of event. At these, they will have signing booths for their players. Fans can pick and choose which lines they want to be in to meet the players. Often, there are two or three players per booth. If you arrive early in the morning, you can plan out your day. This helps you meet as many players as possible and get in the high profile lines.

4. Look up local sports shows in your area! Many local events will have booths full of people selling very expensive and rare baseball cards, autographs, pictures, figures, used apparel, etc. Because these draw so many people, the organizers will almost always get a long list of high profile athletes to sign at the events. Personally, I enjoy meeting old time hall of famers. I have met many of my heroes this way. I make sure to ask them a question that makes them think every time. This usually leads to a long conversation that I never forget.

5. Athletes sign at stores! Grand openings, even for random stores, often feature baseball players signing. Stores do this to draw people into the store. Search your local area autograph events, and you will surely find a list of appearances!

These 5 tips will really help you (and your son) meet many major league players and get baseball autographs. Make sure to take a picture with a good handshake! Later in life, you will be able to make a scrapbook with you and your favorite baseball players.

Best of luck!