[Blogs] New Training Camp Autograph Policy

[GoRavensNTerps]

[quote name='Moderator 2' date='13 July 2010 - 05:58 PM' timestamp='1279058280' post='432395']
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.
[/quote]

That's why they have a special section for kids... But I'll admit there are some jerk adults that do that.

[berad]

Generalizations about kids "not liking football" isn't going to solve the issue. I was 15 when I started to love the Ravens and many kids before me shared the same passion.

It's a disappointment to some adults, yes, but a triumph and much-needed change for others. Show some compassion and understanding when formulating your responses - is not getting a players autograph the end of the world?

[bmoreis#1]

[quote name='berad' date='13 July 2010 - 05:16 PM' timestamp='1279059373' post='432413']
Generalizations about kids "not liking football" isn't going to solve the issue. I was 15 when I started to love the Ravens and many kids before me shared the same passion.

It's a disappointment to some adults, yes, but a triumph and much-needed change for others. Show some compassion and understanding when formulating your responses - is not getting a players autograph the end of the world?
[/quote]


yea I liked football at that age too but not like I do now. Anyways I feel like this might have already been said, but yes something did need to be changed but the way they changed it was dumb and is not fair. It doesn't matter though, no amount of complaining on here will change their minds so whatever.

[Jerbro]

this is very disheartening...my family and I young and old go to training camp every year atleast twice a week but if this is how its gonna be I dont see us going at all. We look forward to meeting the ravens just as much as the kids do if not more! Thx for ruining a great summer activity!

[BmoreRavens201044]

@Jebro So the only reason you and your family goes is to get autographs? That's pretty said. We're fortunate that we are even able to go to these practices yet alone receive autographs from our favorite players for the last 14 years regardless of age as training camp is the most important and high tempo practice experienced in the NFL. Come to westminster to experience how your team may do this year not for a name on a piece of paper. I know it's a nice piece of memorabilia a signature is, but what do we plan on doing with it in the long run other than letting it collect dust or selling it. The same memories can be gained in training camp regardless of whether you receive an autograph or not.

[BmoreRavens201044]

It's disheartening to hear fans saying that the best part of training camp is receiving an autograph. I could not disagree anymore.

[CMack]

This sucks. I go every year, whenever im off work, i actually took off a day this year. " not getting an autograph" is the end of the world for the people pushing and shoving other people. Its a shame that a bunch of jerks ruin what was nice. Adults like autographs and pictures too! I've been going for years. i have acouple footballs, acouple hats, some pictures. i've never trampled anyone. people are ridiculous!

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='GoRavensNTerps' date='13 July 2010 - 06:00 PM' timestamp='1279058441' post='432399']
That's why they have a special section for kids... But I'll admit there are some jerk adults that do that.
[/quote]

Adults push at the back of the kids area too, its only a matter of time before someone really gets hurt. I understand peoples disappointment but I go to camp to watch the practices and the players--that has not changed. We got the Ravens the year my youngest was born and he has been a fan since he was a toddler and could talk about his "Raisins" lol

[Jerbro]

Bmore...not saying thats the only reason we go but getting the autographs is the reason we have spent alot of money on the things we like to add to our collection. And by taking my nephews and my neices to the practices and getting a chance to get those autographs has turned them into not being interested in football to them not wanting to miss a game now. just saying it is a good experience for young and old.

[Ravensdiciple]

All you supposedly grown men or women stop crying about an autograph! What ever happened to the kids are our future? We had our chance growing up, and if you were not as fourtunate sorry bout your luck. It is about the kids, what does it mean to you a grown man to get an autograph? Yeah to maybe add to a collection or the ones who try to make a dollar off it, doesn't mean as much to you as it does a kid who will grow up with that memory for the rest of his/her life. Like myself when I was a kid and getting an autograph from a player, that meant more to myself then than it would now! Way to go Ravens great new policy, keep it for the kids first and foremost!!

[J-man]

Why not an adult section? Survival of the fittest, you snooze you lose, all out war. I'm for it.

[WackoFlacco5]

good rule safety is a major concern

[bmoreis#1]

Here is something to think about.
Who is ready to see some 6 year olds get mowed down by some 15 year olds with no parental supervision allowed?

[Paula]

where's my post?

[Asmodeus]

I was going to go this year for the first time, mostly to get autographs for my kid. My son is only 5 and he likes then dislikes football right now at the toss of a coin. I can not see letting my 5 year old out on a field holding a football when he can not read let alone identify the players to get autographs from. It would seem to me to be just as dangerous for a 5 year old around 10-15 years olds fighting to get close to the players as it would be for him to be around adults and close to me. I don't see where this fixes anything it just makes it almost impossible for a younger kid to get the autographs of bigger named players. Guess we are just staying home...

[berad]

[quote name='bmoreis#1' date='13 July 2010 - 06:48 PM' timestamp='1279061328' post='432442']
Here is something to think about.
Who is ready to see some 6 year olds get mowed down by some 15 year olds with no parental supervision allowed?
[/quote]

The kids section is monitored and enforced by Ravens staff.

[darklight1216]

This is good to know. Now I won't bother making the trip.

I'm a little disappointed because children aren't the ones buying the jerseys, the season tickets, or subscribing to Redzone. Shouldn't paying customers get some perks?

[bmoreis#1]

[quote name='berad' date='13 July 2010 - 06:00 PM' timestamp='1279062036' post='432449']
The kids section is monitored and enforced by Ravens staff.
[/quote]

oh ok sounds good. just throw you kid in there and hope someones paying special attention to your child. I can wait to see how they make a bunch of children behave themselves without their parents around. Maybe they will use sticks or tazers

[Paula]

I am not a happy Ravens consumer right now. As the mother of two teenagers, 17 & 18 years old, I can't believe the Ravens are cutting the teens out of the autograph process. My kids have been going to training camp for the last three years. They follow the players from college to the big leagues and when they got the chance to talk to them at the training camp, it was a thrill for them. The little kids have always had their own section to get autographs, the teens weren't allowed in those sections. If a kids got pushed by someone after an autograph, perhaps the parents should have kept a better eye on them. The teens and young adults should have a chance to engage with the players. I'll bet a Raven jersey that 9 out of 10 little kids wouldn't know a player if they stood beside them. Bad decision Ravens!!

[BaltimoreBest2535]

So i can see things from both sides. One hand i understand the safety and all i don't mind that because, people get a bit crazy. Not sure why we cant control ourselves as adults, we should be able to conduct ourselves in a orderly fashion. However i stand on this side of the fence. I watch every game, I follow what the team and players are doing. I spend money on tickets, jerseys, and other merchandise. Take days off work drive at least 2hrs to get to the practices to show my support. Then stand in the 90 degree weather for like 3hrs and yes at the end of all that. All i am looking for is a autograph from a few players. I mean i don't mind being about the kids but, the reality is the adults are spending the money. I know i do it all by choice but, if an autograph is all i am looking for in return that to me is not so much to ask.

[J-man]

[quote name='Paula' date='13 July 2010 - 07:06 PM' timestamp='1279062397' post='432453']
I am not a happy Ravens consumer right now. As the mother of two teenagers, 17 & 18 years old, I can't believe the Ravens are cutting the teens out of the autograph process.
[/quote]

Amen!!!!

[bmoreis#1]

[quote name='BaltimoreBest2535' date='13 July 2010 - 06:10 PM' timestamp='1279062647' post='432455']
So i can see things from both sides. One hand i understand the safety and all i don't mind that because, people get a bit crazy. Not sure why we cant control ourselves as adults, we should be able to conduct ourselves in a orderly fashion. However i stand on this side of the fence. I watch every game, I follow what the team and players are doing. I spend money on tickets, jerseys, and other merchandise. Take days off work drive at least 2hrs to get to the practices to show my support. Then stand in the 90 degree weather for like 3hrs and yes at the end of all that. All i am looking for is a autograph from a few players. I mean i don't mind being about the kids but, the reality is the adults are spending the money. I know i do it all by choice but, if an autograph is all i am looking for in return that to me is not so much to ask.
[/quote]

I think most of us see it from both sides. It seems like the people happy with it are the only ones who dont see it that way. There has to be a better way of doing this than the way they chose. Im done owning this thread I got stuff to do... peace

[scootergirl]

i don't get it, its cute to watch kids interact with the players, but without the parent there to capture a pic of it up close, whats the point. most little ones won't remember it, and lest be honest, parents are the ones who want the autograph most of the time. bad, bad, bad idea! why not a low fenced area that the little one only are allowed to stand in front of......like a VIP section. allow maybe 20-30 kids per day, 1st come 1st serve so the biggest fans, not the most agressive ones get the autographs. parents right behind them so they can get pics and cheer them on????

[EveryNFLStadium]

Look's like I just bought my PSL's at the wrong time. It would have been much cheaper to have hired a teenager to get autograph's for me (don't blast me, that's a joke! ).I still have a framed picture of Ray Lewis giving me his autograph at training camp. I don't believe there is a kid out there that could have been more thrilled than I was. Age and enthusiasm have nothing to do with each other. The Raven's org needs to figure out how to support those of us that support them.

[RavensRule007]

"I'm a little disappointed because children aren't the ones buying the jerseys, the season tickets, or subscribing to Redzone. Shouldn't paying customers get some perks?"

Your darn right darklight ive been going there for over 4 years now and everyone will shove their kids in the faces of these NFL players to try and get an autograph when 99% of the time they have no idea who they are... I got Ray Rice's autograph last year and some kid who was old enough to know better asked him who he was...I mean what the heck... I understand the NFL wants to cultivate the next generation of NFL fan but why should it be at the expense of the current fan... I have about 15 past and present Raven jersey's and have paid for many games... so why am I being shut out of this event...especially when i take off work and drive 1.5 hours to come see it...

I have like many other played football and know the grueling nature of the sport so some players may not want to sign which is fine but maybe they should have a little more consideration for the fan who bleed purple and black and not the ones who do just cause their parents tell them too...

Sorry if this seems like pontification but I have been a Ravens fan since day one and am a little disspointed that its always gotta be about the kids... Im still going this year haha...just because I wanna see a Super Bowl Champion team in July!!!

Go Ravens!!!

[jacob]

its not fair

[ravens9273]

Sad part about all this is I am sure those who only get the autographs to make a buck on ebay will still get theirs yet those who want them to cherish them no longer can. For a long time I have been waiting to get Derrick Mason's autograph. I admire all he has done for this team and playing through injuries etc... The fact he may not be playing much longer makes it even tougher and gives a sense of urgency to get it now. It is disapointing to know now I will not get my chance. I will buy it from ebay if I have to just to have Mason's autograph but it is not the same as being in front of him when getting it.

[ravenusrick]

i tell you no 16 year old kid is buying tickets ,jerseys,hats ect.the parents do ,i've been a season ticket holder since 1996 and i enjoy watching practice and getting a few autographs that i want.all you that agree probably have kids they can send to get thier auto.the only thing that makes sence would be to make am for kids pm for adults.

[steve1818]

PEOPLE DONT SEEM HAPPY

[PurpleRules]

The Ravens already have a Rookie Ravens Club for kids where they get special attention and privledges. While I can understand that kids should come first,the adults are the loyal fans who support their team by buying jerseys,memorabilia and tickets to games. Who says age stipulates who is worthy of an autograph? I happen to collect football memorabilia for my own pleasure(no selling it) and havent had the opportunity to get an autograph yet,but,continue to go to training camp. Most times the players overlook the adults no matter if they're standing in the front of a line. That's just not right. Last year my 12 yr old nephew waited all afternoon session in a line and the players AFTER the game walked right over to the Ravens Rookies group and no one else got squat. There has to be another way...