Kids Vip Autographs

[Sar]

It was our boys first experience at Ravens Training Camp. It was sad to watch them stand in their VIP areas waiting patiently and hopefully for players to give them an autograph, while players were signing for fans along the fences...
Although we are appreciative of the players time for signing, many of us were quite disheartened watching our kids sad faces as they watched players greeting fans in the regular section, while they stood and waited.
How are we to interpret "access to kids VIP Autograph Area", when they are waiting and watching players greet and sign for the other fans?

[J-man]

What's up with all these threads about players and not signing autographs?

They can't sign for everyone, they're only human.

[Alexir]

It is just a squiggly cursive representation of their name, big deal. I rather just get a picture with them any day!

[MikeS]

I am betting these people posting about not getting autographs are the same ones I see at training camp who use little kids to get the autographs for them to sell. I see these people all the time. They show up at camp with a few kids and a book of pictures. They give the kids the pictures then send them off for autographs. You know they are ending up for sale in some memorabilia store after that.

[Sar]

[quote name='Alexir' date='07 August 2009 - 09:42 PM' timestamp='1249695750' post='216451']
It is just a squiggly cursive representation of their name, big deal. I rather just get a picture with them any day!
[/quote]
Actually, we are not using our kids to sell the autographs. These are excited kids, who are the newest Ravens fans-- They recognize the players when the players sign the autograph and #.
It appears that you must not have had any children to understand the value of them getting the players to give them an autograph. It just upsets us when adults are the ones getting them, and not the kids. It is a big deal for the kids and it should be about the kids!

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='Sar' date='09 August 2009 - 06:31 PM' timestamp='1249857111' post='216950']
Actually, we are not using our kids to sell the autographs. These are excited kids, who are the newest Ravens fans-- They recognize the players when the players sign the autograph and #.
It appears that you must not have had any children to understand the value of them getting the players to give them an autograph. It just upsets us when adults are the ones getting them, and not the kids. It is a big deal for the kids and it should be about the kids!
[/quote]

I understand what you are saying--my youngest was born the same month they announced we were getting the team, he has grown up in purple . There are a lot of people that do use their kids that way and it stinks, we have all seen it.
Autographs are hit or miss on a good day and never a guarantee.
I have yet to go to TC this year to see how its laid out, but plan on going this week.
I tend to take a ton of pictures for memories and make a photo album or framed collage for each year with the tickets for each game.

[faith]

I know first hand how important these signatures are to the kids my newp[hew who is 12 has cf and went to the camp for signature and waited in the heat to get RAy Rice and Dave Hale signature and got none. He was very sad that day He may not get a chance next year to get the signature as he may not be with us. cf is a horrible desease that this young man lives with day in and day out. So his signaturs would not be sold.

[Moderator 2]

There are many other signings not at training camp to get autographs, fundraisers, car dealerships, radio shows and if his Cystic Fibrosis is that bad Make a Wish Foundation may help. Only 1/3 of the players are out at any time signing and you need to figure they have been sweating their butts off in 90 + degree heat and humidity.

[Donna]

My son was a Ravens Rookie. We were at training camp and all he wanted was to talk to Ed Reed. Since he was just a little guy he got lost in the crowd of kids waiting too. Ed Reed passed by and went up the steps, up the sidewalk and almost to the locker room door when the lady that was at the Rookie corral noticed my son crying. (He was only six at the time) She ran up the steps, spoke to Ed Reed, who then came back down and talked to my son, shook his hand and signed his little book. That few minutes he took to pay attention to a little boy was just a moment in time for Mr. Reed but for my son it will be a lifelong memory. Amazing consideration for one small boy.

[Purple Nurple]

I would just add that I dont think the players give a hoot whether the kid is a VIP or not. It probably hurts the kids chances to tell you the truth.