Going to a game Next week

[bunsen82]

I am taking my son to his first baseball game next week.  He has seen my autographed baseballs and he wants to try to get some autographs.  However I wasn't sure if the players were allowed to sign before games or not?  I didn't want to get his hopes up if they still aren't doing it.  We are going to the Thursday early game against the Guardians at 12:10.  Any other advice or tips would be welcomed.  We live in southern Iowa so generally go to Kansas City to watch Twins games, but this worked best with our schedule.  Thanks in advance.   

[USAFChief]

Get there 1.5 hours early, camp out at the railing by the dugout or a little farther down the foul line. Ask players as they enter/exit dugout during the long pregame warm-ups. They might be on the field at any time...or not at all.

Have baseballs and sharpie ready to hand to player. If you don't have them, you're probably not getting an autograph. Have your son be polite and just ask. He might have to yell and there will be competition. Be bold. 

[bunsen82]

11 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Get there 1.5 hours early, camp out at the railing by the dugout or a little farther down the foul line. Ask players as they enter/exit dugout during the long pregame warm-ups. They might be on the field at any time...or not at all.

Have baseballs and sharpie ready to hand to player. If you don't have them, you're probably not getting an autograph. Have your son be polite and just ask. He might have to yell and there will be competition. Be bold. 

Thank,  yes,  we have seats 4 rows up from the end of the dugout thought it was a pretty good place.  Thanks USAFchief .  I just didn't know if the Covid rules from last year of no autographs was still in place or not.  

[USAFChief]

7 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Thank,  yes,  we have seats 4 rows up from the end of the dugout thought it was a pretty good place.  Thanks USAFchief .  I just didn't know if the Covid rules from last year of no autographs was still in place or not.  

In general, most players are pretty good about giving kids a chance at an autograph, from what I've seen.

[BobAzar]

make sure to get a first game certificate as well, some ushers have them, otherwise they have them by 113 at guest services. 

[Azviking101]

Use blue ball point pens, not gel, not sharpie. Sharpie will bleed and fade quickly and most of the signature will be smudged on your hand and not the ball.

Also maybe make a sign that says it's his first twins game. Couldn't hurt for players coming over.

[bunsen82]

Thanks for the help guys.  I didn't know about the first game certificates.   

[wsnydes]

21 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Thank,  yes,  we have seats 4 rows up from the end of the dugout thought it was a pretty good place.  Thanks USAFchief .  I just didn't know if the Covid rules from last year of no autographs was still in place or not.  

While not positive, I'm pretty sure that the Covid rules have gone away.  They are allowing people on the field again, including kids for pregame festivities.  

As others have mentioned, getting a first game certificate is a good idea.  Might even increase your odds of getting autographs.

Enjoy the game!

[woolywoolhouse]

How old is your son? Often the T.C. Squad (the group who accompanies T.C. Bear) will be on the look-out for kids down the first base line to deliver the game ball to the mound or start the game on-camera by announcing "Let's Play Ball!" on-field. If he has a "my first game" sign, is wearing Twins clothes, and is between like 5-10 (and is not camera-shy or afraid of TC Bear) there's a good chance he could be picked. 

[CRF]

You didn't say how old your boy is, but no matter what...he'll never forget the experience. You always remember the first big league game you go to. He'll have a blast. I hope he gets a bunch of signatures and that you both enjoy the game...with a Twins win!

[bunsen82]

58 minutes ago, woolywoolhouse said:

How old is your son? Often the T.C. Squad (the group who accompanies T.C. Bear) will be on the look-out for kids down the first base line to deliver the game ball to the mound or start the game on-camera by announcing "Let's Play Ball!" on-field. If he has a "my first game" sign, is wearing Twins clothes, and is between like 5-10 (and is not camera-shy or afraid of TC Bear) there's a good chance he could be picked. 

He is 8 years old,  My daughter is 5 -  I will likely use them both -  especially my daughter she has no problem using her loud voice to get attention then will put on the charm. 

[bunsen82]

It was a good game, not a ton of action, got a little hairy when Smith came in. Caught a Correa foul ball.  Got first game certificates. We also got autographs from Polanco, Ryan, Cotton and 2 others maybe Gio not sure going to try to track those down tonight.. Came this close to Correa and Kepler autographs as well. The kids stayed on the concourse first couple innings until our seats got shaded. Thanks for the help guys. The kids really enjoyed it.

[ashbury]

17 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

It was a good game, not a ton of action, got a little hairy when Smith came in. Caught a Correa foul ball.  Got first game certificates. We also got autographs from Polanco, Ryan, Cotton and 2 others maybe Gio not sure going to try to track those down tonight.. Came this close to Correa and Kepler autographs as well. The kids stayed on the concourse first couple innings until our seats got shaded. Thanks for the help guys. The kids really enjoyed it.

Outstanding!   I'm not young and have been to a lot of games by now, and have never come meaningfully close to snagging a foul ball souvenir - there was one scorching Joe Mauer line drive that passed one row below me that I wanted NO part of, like a meteor that came and went on its way to some other ultimate destination, and that's been it.

/ I'm not young and may also have forgotten a better opportunity