[Blogs] New Training Camp Autograph Policy

[BR News]

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The Ravens are changing their autograph policy for this year’s training camp beginning July 27 at McDaniel College.

In an effort to provide more safety for fans in Westminster, Md., players will sign autographs for children only after all morning practices. Autographs will not be available following afternoon practices.

“We have considered changing the way we do autograph signings for a few years,” Ravens President Dick Cass said.

“Our crowds for the morning practices have become so large that we’ve had safety situations with people pushing each other to try and get closer to the players. Often times, children would be put in difficult positions with the rush for autographs, especially from our most popular players.”

Ravens players are encouraged to sign autographs for fans, but they are not required to do so.

After each morning practice open to the public, two-thirds of the team is not available to sign. One-third of the players have to immediately go lift weights. Another third must participate in an on-field workout.

That leaves one-third of the players available to sign. Other teams around the NFL select a few players each day to sign autographs, but the Ravens like to maintain the spontaneity of players choosing to sign themselves.

“The connectivity we have with our fans at camp is important to us and a Ravens’ tradition,” Cass said. “We know that every person who comes to camp and wants an autograph cannot get one because of the players’ schedules. Under our new system, more children will have the opportunity, and that’s important to us.”

Children ages 6 through 15 can go on the field after each morning practice. Children must wear a Ravens-issued wristband (which they can receive at an adjacent tent) to enter the autograph area and they can bring one item to be autographed. Adults will not be allowed to enter the autograph area.

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/07/13/new-training-camp-autograph-policy/]View the full article[/url]

[BabydollFlacco5]

Good for most of the kids ! But this SUCKS for everyone else :( The adults should have a autograph area too , for those who wish to get something signed. How about parents of kids with disabilities ? I have a little boy with autism and he LOVES the Ravens, esp Flacco. He is only 6, But he could never go by himself into a tent for autographs. This isnt a very well thought out rule. I guess that also leaves out any lil fan under age 6 from seeing there fav players too. I understand most lil ones wont care about an autograph, But my 4 does ! Plus they would just love to say Hi !

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

very good points babydoll!! I know my 4yo boy would love to be able to see his favorite players up close and personal. As for the adults I guess we will be stuck paying high dollars for our autographs...

[J-man]

Come on!! I'm 16 and have over 2,000 posts on this forum. Can I be an exception?

[BmoreRavens201044]

I like this move it sucks to see adults bullying little children in order to get an autograph from matt katula. Come on get over yourself gentlemen and let the kids have access to their favorite athletes. Good move. I bet adults start hiring kids to go up and get autographs for them.

[Tez]

yesss thank you for a late birthday

[BmoreRavens201044]

@BabydollFlacco5 I'm sure the ravens will make exceptions for children with disabilities and for your kids in saying hi, I am sure that they will be in close enough proximity in order for them to communicate with their favorite players.

[Qindje]

And will there be news about who will be a posibility of being free?
Because honestly some people don't want more then 1 autograph. I for one would only care for Reed's autograph. I wouldn't pay for it anyway but if I could get one only Reed's.

I'm on the other side of the globe now but I think the rule needs some tweaking because as BabydollFlacco5 says kids with dissabilities like the Ravens too.

[techteach25]

so they go from a free for all it seems to nothing for adults. i think thats a shame. good idea for the to separate. however, as some one who has gone to 4 years worth of training camps it is sad to know i cant even get an autograph anymore. we went from most fan friendly to seemingly least. i mean will they even walk the fence line at all any more?? if they dont ill be sad to see it go. when else do we get a chance to be that close to people we idolize. now the only way to get autographs will be to buy tickets at sports stores basically. just upset with the ravens today.... first time ever

[Paul58]

@BmoreRavens201044.... "I bet adults start hiring kids to go up and get autographs for them."

LOL.... and what a great way for the kiddies to earn spending money.

[CaptCRUSH]

I think this is nutz. Its not that hard to bring down the pushing if the ravens set up a system somewhat how they do at the orioles games. Most ravens fans are Kids at heart and want an autograph just as bad as the kids. You have to remember that the adults are the people buying the ravens tickets and the ravens merchandise. They should also be entitled.

[Mannyman]

Personally, I don't care for the new rule too much although I understand why it's in place. Last year I was able to make it to the training camp for my first time ever on opening day and the crowds for autographs in the morning were insane. It wasn't so bad for the afternoon session though.

The biggest thing that I really enjoyed about going to training camp is that I felt like I was able to connect with the players and team personnel, perhaps seeing the personal side of them and not just as players. I think that a lot of people feel that players/coaches/etc think they are bigger than everyone else, while that may be certainly true for some (which make the rest look bad) I don't think that it is this way in general across the board. I certainly didn't get that feeling while I was there watching players and coaches sign and talk with the fans. It's hard to lose this perception when you only see these players on the field or at a distance.

Anyway, I think it's a shame this had to be done. I was hoping to possibly getting some autographs or have a word or two from players on the team but it looks like that won't happen at all this year. I also wish I was better informed about signing events. I'm just not sure I can afford going to them if they're going to charge a lot of money.

[Cathy Cobry]

Why are you doing this??? The kids have their own area for autographs. They even have a special day!!! And why should we pay money for our kids to be a "Ravens Rookie" if they're going to be the only one to get autographs at training camp with only a wristband??? I have a child that has been a Ravens Rookie from the getgo and she gotten more autographs at training camp than I have. Why can't things just stay the same???

[purpleandblack]

I think this is a great idea. I know my kids got shoved around by adults the past two years. I hope the players make sure all kids in this area receive an autograph. Would also hope the older fans have a chance for an autograph, but fully understand the impact a player has on children and they should be first at all costs.

[CaptCRUSH]

I think this is nutz. Its not that hard to bring down the pushing if the ravens set up a system somewhat how they do at the orioles games. Most ravens fans are Kids at heart and want an autograph just as bad as the kids. You have to remember that the adults are the people buying the ravens tickets and the ravens merchandise. They should also be entitled.

[Ravens 5220]

This is a great idea. Even as an adult I see that people are too stupid to do something like this in a civil manner. Good for the Ravens for keeping it all about the kids.

[bmoreis#1]

wow I was gonna go like once a week but now Ill prob only go once

[GoRavensNTerps]

This is a terrible idea. The autographs were my favorite part of training camp. Getting to have a conversation with some of the players. I'm 21 and the past few years, I wait patiently for the players to come down the line. I'm very disappointed to say the least.

[GoRavensNTerps]

I guess the ravens wanted to lower the attendance at training camp because this will definitely do that. I see it becoming just something for kids to go to now.

[bmoreis#1]

yea Im 21 too. Kids arent even into football nearly as much as people my age.

[techteach25]

i was going for a week straight. gonna get there early. stay all day. totally ruined my plans. die hard to be there and watch them. but to get autographs makes the trip surreal and worth going. they just stripped every adult of that gift. just bought my brother a full size helmet to get a signature or two of his favorite player. that way he could start a collection like me, guess not. i completely agree with a previous posts about how adults are the ones who put the money in to make this engine go. now we get nothing. i am a season ticket holder, have a ravens basement and training camp was the one thing that made me excited about summer..... so much for that. i wish i didnt have a soul and wouldnt feel guilty about getting a kid to get something signed in that special little section :(

[bmoreis#1]

when I was a kid I would get the autographs and give them to my parents. I didnt even care about autographs. I dont think many kids under the age of 15 do. They only like football cuz their dad does. Parents wont be upset about this because they still get stuff signed. The rest of us are

[Ravnet]

I would have been able to understand a restriction of access for adults in some manner, but cutting the actual fanatics out all together? Come on. . .

[bmoreis#1]

read other peoples suggestions. They make sense. Set something up like the orioles have.... that makes sense. This rule does not make sense. I wonder if this guys a parent and will get his autographs anyway??

[unitastheraven]

Well that is disapointing. This takes so much away from adult fans who probably value these more than the kids. I get what the Ravens are trying to do and think it is a good idea to try and make it safer for the kids, but they are going about it all wrong. Why not make kid only signings after the morning practice and then have 16 and up signings in the afternoon practice? The last time I was there the signings for the afternoon practice were not that hectic.

[bmoreis#1]

hey there's another suggestion that makes sense.

[GoRavensNTerps]

Probably not even gonna go this year. Why sit in the sun for 2 hours to watch them practice if you don't even have a chance for an autograph?

[Moderator 2]

My son got trampled when he was 4 or 5 trying to get Poe's autograph because Ray was with him by [b]adults[/b]. I see little kids get knocked down every year. I will see if I can find out about a policy for special needs kids.

[J-man]

[quote name='bmoreis#1' date='13 July 2010 - 05:39 PM' timestamp='1279057165' post='432373']
yea Im 21 too. Kids arent even into football nearly as much as people my age.
[/quote]

Yea, I live and breathe the Ravens and now I cant get a simple autograph? That's the best part. Good thing I'm still 16 so I can make myself look 15.

[bmoreis#1]

yea we understand that side of the argument. Thats why were posting other solutions. This one is dumb.