Training Camp?

[Michael]

I've always wanted to watch training camp, and this year I'm committed to drive up at least once from Baltimore. I'm planning on going July 31st. Is this a good day to go? What time to go is better the 8:45 or the 2:45 one? How much earlier do I need to get there?

[Moderator 2]

[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Training_Camp_2010/Training_Camp_Schedule.aspx"]Check here[/url] for what is going on on your day. Sometimes afternoon practices are just special teams.

[ravensgirlx88]

I would pick a day in the middle of the week, I live in Westminster and have found that camp is alot less crowded in the afternoon. At least for the first week. Arrive early if you expect to be close to the action, Camp was packed last year..

[Michael]

[quote name='ravensgirlx88' date='12 July 2010 - 11:02 PM' timestamp='1278990128' post='432118']
I would pick a day in the middle of the week, I live in Westminster and have found that camp is alot less crowded in the afternoon. At least for the first week. Arrive early if you expect to be close to the action, Camp was packed last year..
[/quote]

Yeah, I'd prefer during the week, but work just blows that.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Michael' date='12 July 2010 - 11:21 PM' timestamp='1278991274' post='432130']
Yeah, I'd prefer during the week, but work just blows that.
[/quote]

You didn't make them give a 'Ravens clause" in your contract?

[PuRock]

I'll be making it to camp twice this year. I'm starting on August 1st at 8:45 am. I figured it would be less busy early in the morning on the weekend.

[GoRavensNTerps]

Don't expect any autographs with the new kids-only rule.

Training camp will be now

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='GoRavensNTerps' date='13 July 2010 - 05:40 PM' timestamp='1279057213' post='432375']
Don't expect any autographs with the new kids-only rule.

Training camp will be now
[/quote]

I think the new autograph policy is great. I have seen too many grown men trample the little kids to get an autograph.

[GoRavensNTerps]

I think its terrible. They already have a kids-only section for autographs. I'm 21 and I wait patiently for the players to come down the line.

[J-man]

[quote name='Moderator 2' date='13 July 2010 - 05:51 PM' timestamp='1279057879' post='432382']
I think the new autograph policy is great. I have seen too many grown men trample the little kids to get an autograph.
[/quote]

Yea but when you are still 16, you are still technically a kid but still cant get autographs. I'm still going like 3-4 times now that i have a car.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='Moderator 2' date='13 July 2010 - 05:51 PM' timestamp='1279057879' post='432382']
I think the new autograph policy is great. I have seen too many grown men trample the little kids to get an autograph.
[/quote]
No it is not great. It actually blows! I understand safety for the kids and if you are willing to run over a kid to get a autograph then you are being a jerk. Why not have a time for kids and adults. Some fans are really into that.

[ProtoRaven]

yeah, i am pretty pissed. i have been going to training camp for autographs ever since i was a kid. I am 23 now and have more Ravens memoribilia than you would know. It has become a yearly tradition for me to go get there at 4 in the morning, wait paitnently until practice and then get stuff signed after practice. Now that i have a daughter who is 2 1/2 and was going to take her this year, i cant. Nor can i even get her anything signed. This is the worst news i could hear before training camp. Esp. since they introduced the Ravens rookies. Their seperate area away from everyone else. Any kids small enough to get pushed around by the few inconsiderate adults should be supervised by a parent anyhow. Completly furious!

[BuckWilds]

More kids get autographs as a result of this policy... [u]I love it[/u].

I don't mind since I can go to other signings throughout the year. I'd rather kids get a shot to see their favorite players than I get a shot at asking another grown man to sign a ball, etc. It is a game, after all. Let the kids have their fun.

Now, I do expect some poor kid will end up getting sent into the autograph area with Ravens gear like a burro carrying supplies for a desert adventure. But I'm hoping this just helps the kids get their time in the sun.

[ProtoRaven]

Here are pictures with everything i have acquired over the years of training camp. This is why i am so upset over the new rules. For people like me that enjoy the fan experiance of old.

[i]<please don't post so many gigantic pictures, I have a fairly fast computer and internet service and it took a while to load - be considerate>[/i]

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='ProtoRaven' date='13 July 2010 - 09:36 PM' timestamp='1279071372' post='432531']
Here are pictures with everything i have acquired over the years of training camp. This is why i am so upset over the new rules. For people like me that enjoy the fan experiance of old.

[i]<please don't post so many gigantic pictures, I have a fairly fast computer and internet service and it took a while to load - be considerate>[/i]
[/quote]

Can you post a link to your pics? They are amazing and who makes the paint you used?

[bmorefandon]

[quote name='Marc2k6' date='13 July 2010 - 06:48 PM' timestamp='1279064891' post='432478']
No it is not great. It actually blows! I understand safety for the kids and if you are willing to run over a kid to get a autograph then you are being a jerk. Why not have a time for kids and adults. Some fans are really into that.
[/quote]
yes they have that for kids already,i am a fan who does everything right every year i take my vacation to go to the camp and get autographs and get there at 6.00 in the morning and stay all day i sit up close to watch practice and see who walks are way to get lucky to get some auto. do not push anyone.what i have seen is more and more the kids that do the pushing but there are some parents to.the ravens have taken that away this is not good i have been going there for aleast 10 years,i am a fan who would give freinds some of my autographs and would never sell anything they have taking that all away i am shocked the sales part of ravens merd.will not sell they will loose alot of money,on food and everything at camp not a wise move

[ravenrooter]

This new rule really upsets me as well. Being 23 years old and having attended training camp for 10 plus years, I really feel as if something has been taken from me. I wake up early get a spot at the fence and stay there. I watch practice and when its over I stand there in hopes of getting some autographs. I don't push anybody, and I don't chase the players down the fence when they skip me. I remember getting Ray Lewis and Ed Reed for the first time and how awesome of a feeling it was. The excitement of seeing a player walking in my direction was enough for me to want to wake up the next day early, go back out and stand in 100+ degree heat, and try the same thing again. I could go to camp several times a summer and patiently wait for an autograph and love every minute of it. If I attended camp and never got an autograph again, because the players skip me, that would be fine. But just knowing that I cant have an autograph because I'm not a kid really fires me up. Why dont they take care of the problem people and let the rest of the fans enjoy the experience they have been cherishing with this Baltimore football tradition.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='ravenrooter' date='14 July 2010 - 07:38 AM' timestamp='1279107524' post='432653']
This new rule really upsets me as well. Being 23 years old and having attended training camp for 10 plus years, I really feel as if something has been taken from me. I wake up early get a spot at the fence and stay there. I watch practice and when its over I stand there in hopes of getting some autographs. I don't push anybody, and I don't chase the players down the fence when they skip me. I remember getting Ray Lewis and Ed Reed for the first time and how awesome of a feeling it was. The excitement of seeing a player walking in my direction was enough for me to want to wake up the next day early, go back out and stand in 100+ degree heat, and try the same thing again. I could go to camp several times a summer and patiently wait for an autograph and love every minute of it. If I attended camp and never got an autograph again, because the players skip me, that would be fine. But just knowing that I cant have an autograph because I'm not a kid really fires me up. Why dont they take care of the problem people and let the rest of the fans enjoy the experience they have been cherishing with this Baltimore football tradition.
[/quote]

As adults we can cherish the idea that the kids get a chance to see their favorite football players up close. Let the next group of young folk get their shot now. Nothing has been 'taken' from fans. I for one am glad the players aren't going to be forced to work around autograph hounds anymore. As a fan I prefer they focus on the task at hand and not adults begging for a signature.

[PuRock]

What about us who are die hard fans that buy the tickets, post on this message board and do all the Ravens stuff - being snubbed? They should have a separate section for kids to get autograph but they should allow us hard core fans to get graphs too.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='BuckWilds' date='14 July 2010 - 08:40 AM' timestamp='1279111243' post='432662']
As adults we can cherish the idea that the kids get a chance to see their favorite football players up close. Let the next group of young folk get their shot now. Nothing has been 'taken' from fans. I for one am glad the players aren't going to be forced to work around autograph hounds anymore. As a fan I prefer they focus on the task at hand and not adults begging for a signature.
[/quote]
The autograph hounds are really my biggest problem with allowing adults to get signatures, especially those that take the memorabilia and sell them on eBay afterwards. It's as if those people are profiting off the players, especially those that aren't true fans and do it all for the money. I understand that people like are probably in the minority when it comes to adult autograph-seekers, but I will always keep the children in mind when I have two kids very active in my life and plan on being a father myself.

That's not to say that opposing this policy means you don't like children, I'm just saying that there are bigger things to worry about than getting a signature from a celebrity. If anything, I would think that most adults would enjoy watching the drills more than getting a sloppy and rushed autograph.

[PuRock]

I gotta have a kid now, just so that I can get the opportunity to get an autograph instead of having to buy an expensive possibly fake one off ebay.

[ravenrooter]

[quote name='BuckWilds' date='14 July 2010 - 08:40 AM' timestamp='1279111243' post='432662']
As adults we can cherish the idea that the kids get a chance to see their favorite football players up close. Let the next group of young folk get their shot now. Nothing has been 'taken' from fans. I for one am glad the players aren't going to be forced to work around autograph hounds anymore. As a fan I prefer they focus on the task at hand and not adults begging for a signature.
[/quote]


Yes, I agree that the kids will have more oppurtunties to meet the players and get autographs, and I'm all for that. However, no player is forced to sign autographs. Seems to me thats entirely up to the players themselves. If they wish to sign autographs great, if not, thats fine too. I know I've been there before and seen Ray Lewis sign countless numbers of memorabilia because he wants to give back to the fans not because somebody is making him. There is no reason why they can't leave training camp the way it was, with the exception of some days for kids only (or even vice-versa).

[PuRock]

Well I guess the good news about this is that it should make training camp a bit less crowded since the autograph hounds will not be showing up.

[ravenrooter]

[quote name='PuRock' date='14 July 2010 - 10:23 AM' timestamp='1279117426' post='432696']
Well I guess the good news about this is that it should make training camp a bit less crowded since the autograph hounds will not be showing up.
[/quote]

Thats one positive way to look at it I guess.

[Michael]

If I'm going to the morning one what time should I get there? Should I bring my own chairs?

[ravenrooter]

[quote name='Michael' date='14 July 2010 - 11:17 AM' timestamp='1279120629' post='432720']
If I'm going to the morning one what time should I get there? Should I bring my own chairs?
[/quote]


It looks like most practices start at 8:45, so I wouldn't think you need to be there before 8:30 or so. You might miss some guys walk out to the fields or stretch but you won't miss any drills. Bringing some chairs or a blanket is a good idea.

[Glenville raven]

Just got word of this new policy, kids safety ;yes . we ravens fans(adult male) and my family enjoy the autogragh sessions at camp . My 19 year old son and my wife as well try to get autographs, (for our own private collecting). We have planned family vacations around different training camps around the league. Always bragging about our Ravens and their great training camp autographs , where our guys just walked over to us and signed. What a shame this won't continue. The Ravens are making a mistake on this one. Please reverse this NOW.

[KyKobra]

They'll sign in morning camps for adults and older teens. They did the children policy in the afternoon because MOST children won't go to the early morning practice.
If it's that hard to wake up and get to a morning practice then maybe you just shouldn't go at all. All rules aside this is for the children safety.

[billypilgrim]

You know my finest memory as a kid (now (24) of training camp? In 1998, after watching practice with my dad we were standing by the empty bleachers and Jim Harbaugh comes over to sit. At my father's encouragement I ask him for an autograph, and picture. I still have the picture by the way.
The point is that awesome memory was not because I was allowed exclusive space with Harbaugh, it was his gracious demeanor that made it.
Allowing kids one item a piece and wristbands just takes away from the authenticity that training camp had.

And sorry if I don't fear for their safety, I caught a net high kick from Stover at Memorial Stadium and still have the ball. Let me tell you the adults twice my size did a little more than nudge me out of the way, but thats the way it goes.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='14 July 2010 - 09:54 AM' timestamp='1279115686' post='432684']
The autograph hounds are really my biggest problem with allowing adults to get signatures, especially those that take the memorabilia and sell them on eBay afterwards. It's as if those people are profiting off the players, especially those that aren't true fans and do it all for the money. I understand that people like are probably in the minority when it comes to adult autograph-seekers, but I will always keep the children in mind when I have two kids very active in my life and plan on being a father myself.

That's not to say that opposing this policy means you don't like children, I'm just saying that there are bigger things to worry about than getting a signature from a celebrity. If anything, I would think that most adults would enjoy watching the drills more than getting a sloppy and rushed autograph.
[/quote]

Exactly. You're much better at stating the case appropriately than I am. I am a bit shocked to see where some folks are placing the emphasis in this discussion. I agree that watching the team drills and the players' performance is much more exciting than begging for a [b]'Sharpie (tm) scribble'[/b] from another grown man.

I shudder at the idea of what the players would think if they read some of these complaints. From where I sit this policy is great. Let the players practice without having to run the autograph gauntlet with the adults afterward. Let the kids have their fun. Enjoy camp for what it is: the dawn of a new season of Ravens football.