[Blogs] New Training Camp Autograph Policy

[PurpleChick]

I can say that I experienced first had the shovers and pushers. I was blessed to be invited to the Purple tent, LADIES ONLY, but there were several men who pushed their way past security and a few who got their kids in on the intrusion.
It is a shame that those few made it bad for everyone.
I agree with most of the adults here. WE buy tickets, merchandise, etc. NOT the kids. The Baltimore Ravens has done a great job by having the Rookies and the Purple/Lavender Ladies to give opportunities to kid and women fans. But again, in both I have seen "others" exploit the events. There have been men at the LADIES nights out & Purple Evening as well as fans w/o kids at the Rookies events.
Maybe the Baltimore Ravens just need to step it up a notch. When it says Rookies-KIDS ONLY, Purple/Lavender Ladies-WOMEN ONLY and during training camp have security escort those who break the rules out. ALSO, how about a limit on those allowed into training camp??

[Andrew Keating]

I really don't see why it's so important for adults to get autographs and such. I understand it's cool to meet the guys, but it's much cooler for kids not to get trampled.

[TXRavensFan]

I couldn't agree more with Purple Chaos and TheRockyHorrorRaven. It seems to me the only ones upset about this are the ones who went to training camp for the sole purpose of getting autographs. There are plenty of other opportunities out there for getting autographs, give this one to the kids. You should all feel blessed that you at least live near your team and can go to these events - I'm stuck 1,500 miles away.

p.s. I did make it to one training camp back in 2001 - I was embarrased to see the actions of people trying to get autographs. This is definitely a good move by the Ravens.

[ravenfan123]

I'm 17 years old. An this policy blows!

[BuckWilds]

I'd rather the players get inside, get cooled off and get on with study or recovery than stand there with adult autograph seekers. It seems people fall into a couple of camps on this matter: Those that think the players and kids should benefit and those that think they're entitled to autograph sessions.

[J.O.14]

Ravenfan123 i agree! im 17 to, i will take some lil kid with me.

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='TXRavensFan' date='14 July 2010 - 03:21 PM' timestamp='1279135288' post='432841']
I couldn't agree more with Purple Chaos and TheRockyHorrorRaven. [b]It seems to me the only ones upset about this are the ones who went to training camp for the sole purpose of getting autographs. There are plenty of other opportunities out there for getting autographs, give this one to the kids. You should all feel blessed that you at least live near your team and can go to these events [/b]- I'm stuck 1,500 miles away.

p.s. I did make it to one training camp back in 2001 - I was embarrased to see the actions of people trying to get autographs. This is definitely a good move by the Ravens.
[/quote]

Well put and I can see both sides of the argument--my husband and stepson are avid autograph seekers and I go to watch the drills, line play and receivers.
My youngest was trampled when he was a little guy and I could see what the people say about the "big" teenagers in with the six year olds--the trampled kid is now 14 5'10 and built like Kelly Greg and is a JV lineman lol.
Not getting autographs does not take away from being close to the players, watching the practices and all the other good things about training camp.

[ravenfan123]

How about the kids that are 16 and 17.

[TheRockyHorrorRavensShow]

Thanks for the positive feedback all, It just bugs me so much to feel like our great players 'owe' us anything.
It's the same type of mob scene in Westminster when they have players come out to the Green Turtle for radio shows.
Turtle's policy limit the number of people to even see the guys with ticket you can only get only from being there 4 hours beforehand, and even the ticket doesn't guarantee a signature because they guys are being constantly harassed from the moment they walk in the door...
Sad world, but like I said, better to drop $20 on a private signing at a memorabilia shop than to make another human want to leave.
Go Ravens!

[MsMarvel73]

What about those of us who don't live in Baltimore and can't get to the community events? Seems like you don't care about us. I still love you anyway.

And no reason for me to try and get to a future training camp now.

[PurpleRules]

The point is this: There is already an area that's kid-friendly with the Ravens Rookie Club. Why not make an area for adult fans as well OR afternoon for adults to meet players,sign,and mornings for kids? Sounds simple enough. As for the 'being lucky to live close to your team and get to watch them practice' we have to drive from far Western Maryland to watch camp so thats two hours at least each way and in my area there are NO signings by Ravens players anywhere,lol. Its always nice to get the opportunity to meet players,watch them practice AND get autographs. So now the adults can just send their kids to the kids area to get it for them,right? pfffft! This whole thing is disappointing.

[matrixphijr]

I'm not particularly in love with what they said about this on PTI today (with guest hosts Bob Ryan and Dan LeBatard). In their dialogue on the topic, they seemed excited about the new rule because "adults who want autographs are too 'needy'". It gave me the impression they were comparing a person 16 or older who wants an autograph (the new rule allows only children ages 6-15 to be present) to the fat, balding, 50-year-old virgin who lives in his mother's basement and collects Star Trek paraphernalia.
Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the mindset and logic behind a rule like this, but I seriously question the execution. First of all, are they going to ID kids to make sure they aren't 16 years old? If so, are 16-year-olds too old to be asking for autographs? That's just ridiculous. Secondly, where does that leave the parent or aunt/uncle who wants a nice birthday present for the son/daughter or niece/nephew who can't be there for one of a thousand reasons? Third, what's to prevent adults from hanging around practices and paying children to collect autographs for them, or taking a friend or family member along with them? There are so many other ways to achieve the same result without the multitude of negative side effects lingering.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='matrixphijr' date='15 July 2010 - 12:13 AM' timestamp='1279167225' post='433048']
I'm not particularly in love with what they said about this on PTI today (with guest hosts Bob Ryan and Dan LeBatard). In their dialogue on the topic, they seemed excited about the new rule because "adults who want autographs are too 'needy'". It gave me the impression they were comparing a person 16 or older who wants an autograph (the new rule allows only children ages 6-15 to be present) to the fat, balding, 50-year-old virgin who lives in his mother's basement and collects Star Trek paraphernalia.
Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the mindset and logic behind a rule like this, but I seriously question the execution. First of all, are they going to ID kids to make sure they aren't 16 years old? If so, are 16-year-olds too old to be asking for autographs? That's just ridiculous. Secondly, where does that leave the parent or aunt/uncle who wants a nice birthday present for the son/daughter or niece/nephew who can't be there for one of a thousand reasons? Third, what's to prevent adults from hanging around practices and paying children to collect autographs for them, or taking a friend or family member along with them? There are so many other ways to achieve the same result without the multitude of negative side effects lingering.
[/quote]

The security firm and Ravens staff will handle the details of enforcement and pay the proper attention to it, especially now that it's getting so much attention.

[gwdweb]

I agree with Buckwilds. He makes some good points. My son is 5 and I have brought him the last two years to training camp. I agree some adults get too aggressive and the idea of a children only autograph area is a good idea, however how are they going to enforce it. Do the children need to bring their birth certificates. A lot of tall five year olds are going to claim there six and alot of short 16, 17 and 18 year olds are going to claim their 15. Plus some large 15 year olds won't be aloud in because they look 18. I wonder if Michael Oher would have been aloud in for an autograph when he was 15.

I think there should be an adult only autograph area also. Maybe the number of autograph seekers could be reduced by giving out limited access pass with the season tickets package for certain days depending on your name in the alphabet. You would wear it just like the kids are going to have arm bands.

I like coach Harbaugh, but training camp autographs worked better when they did at the larger stadium during the Billick era. There was a lot more room around the field to handle the number of people and I do not recall any crowd problems. Even after the Super Bowl win with the Hard Knocks filming going on you got great access to the players and the crowds your very orderly.

I believe they should modify this policy in the future to give better access to children and adults.

But anyone who is giving up on the Ravens because they can not get an autograph was never a fan to begin with and sounds like a spoiled child.

[jokes]

I understand the policy that Ravens have set forward but it is a bad one. They could have easily had to autograph sessions...the morning session to all kids 6-15 and the afternoon(evening)session for the first 100-150 adults to get a wristband.

Another option they could have done was do like they do at football festival and what I have seen around other NFL teams, display a schedule of when certain players will be available for autograph that day. For the most popular player limit the number of autographs by adults by 100.

[ravenzrule]

[quote name='ravensgirlx88' date='13 July 2010 - 10:03 PM' timestamp='1279073015' post='432541']
Think its totally fair. I have been going to camp for years and every year I see so many people with bobble heads, footballs and other things that they can re-sell for a ridiculous amount of money. True the players make alot of money, but they work hard to keep the name they have for themselves and they dont deserve to be extorted.. which is pretty much what those losers with the bobbles heads are doing. You can thank all those re-sellers that sell you todd heaps name on a plaque for $120 for the new autograph policy.. PS. glad I have a 7 year old!
[/quote]

No offense Ravensgirlx88 but bobble heads, footballs, jerseys, pics, etc. are what the fans usually get signed...not just the slugs that are there to resell the stuff. I have gotten everything from a blank piece of paper to a full size Ravens helmet signed and will not sell anything. I hate the dealers at training camp as much or more than the next guy/gal but the players name is not diminished by the number of autographs they sign, no matter how the autographs are used. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis are 2 of the greatest Ravens ever and probably the best signers ever at any teams training camp. I could not afford to pay for them to sign anything at Great Moments or any other card shop. I depend opn the training camp in Wetsminster every year to get some nice autographs of the Ravens players. I do not have a 7 year old but I do have 3 daughters that are die-hard Ravens fans and can no longer get an autograph from their favorite players. I hope that the Ravens management realizes that this is a bad policy change and corrects it...it's time to change the game plan and call an audible!!!!
GO RAVENS!!!

[ravenzrule]

[quote name='Andrew Keating' date='14 July 2010 - 03:04 PM' timestamp='1279134295' post='432828']
I really don't see why it's so important for adults to get autographs and such. I understand it's cool to meet the guys, but it's much cooler for kids not to get trampled.
[/quote]
We all agree that we don't want to harm our children at the expense of getting an autograph...but there are so many other options rather than just cutting off all adults and teens 16+. Once again, the majority of great Ravens fans get punished for the minority of people who can't behave in public. I tend to believe that those who act out at camp can be identified and removed by a responsible and alert security staff. In stead of punishing us, get the SAFE people to step up their enforcement efforts and give them some help from the local law enforcement if needed... I guarantee you that if 1 guy goes out in handcuffs a major culture change will ensue...

[RavensXXXV]

I believe this policy is horrible for the Raven fan that collects autographs like myself. I have been a season ticket holder since the first season I have almost every players autograph over 350 players. This like last years gate time change from 2 hours to 1 1/2 before game is a major hinderence to getting signatures but at this point I think the gates was a money thing and not really sure about the kids only policy but all it will do is make the dealers pay kids to get items done for them (it happens) so I just penalizes the true fan that collects. Whatever we have control over this so I will show up for the 1st couple days and if it SUCKS I will not be back. Way to go Ravens!!!! fan friendly!?!?!?!?

[suzzer]

I have read some of these comments about the new rules for autographs..The players are there to work out practice for the season to come. They don't even have to allow the public to watch them practice. 2 With this weather being this way they should have one goal in mind do what you need do and get out the heat. Safety for children is important I agree. But the health and welfare for the players is more important. It would be awesome to get autographs but if thaat is not possible then just to be able to watch a practice that is a privilege. So go with the rules or don't go...They are still an awesome team.. Please drink plenty of water gentleman. Practice hard and stay healthy and cool. Looking forward to this season. I have tickets to you preseason game with Carolina Aug.12,2010..Looking forward to seeing my first Ravens Game. Thank You..

[sishwa]

This new rule was dinner conversation last night with friends we sit next to at the games. We are all for keeping the children safe what person could possibly disagree with that. The point brought up was - who buys the tickets?