New Autograph Policy for Fanfest

[SilentJames]

How do we feel about this?

The Orioles will introduce a new autograph policy designed to shorten wait times and support youth charitable endeavors through OriolesREACH. Children ages 4 to 14 will have a specially designated Kids Only player autograph station presented that is free of charge and will operate continuously throughout the day. All other autograph stations will require the advance purchase of autograph vouchers.

The vouchers will be available at www.orioles.com for $15 each, with all proceeds to benefit children's charities through OriolesREACH. Vouchers will go on sale next Saturday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. There will be 250 vouchers available for each autograph session, guaranteeing each fan who purchases a voucher for a particular session an autograph from each of the three-to-four players at the station.

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2011/01/fanfest-set-for-jan-29.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Frobby]

Fine with me. But then, I'm not an autograph hound. I go to Fan Fest mostly to watch the forums and just scratch my baseball itch in the dead of winter.

[scOtt]

If it's going to OriolesREACH then that's pretty cool.

[SilentJames]

They have cream for that now..

But yeah, I have no real issue with this either. I like to get one sutograph session and 15 bucks to charity for a shorter wait time and picking who I want is worth it to me.

The autographs are for the kids more than anyone so I am fine with this.

[PrivateO]

Will fans who don't get a voucher still be able to have the chance to get an autograph? If so, then I'm OK with this idea. It's a great way to raise money. I will be prett upset if people complain about this, because it's all for charity.

[RebouletThrow]

So, instead of paying for admission then waiting in very long lines for autographs, I now have to pay for admission, pay $15 per autograph session, then wait in very long lines.

I understand that this goes to charity, but this seems to be a giant slap in the face to any fan over 14.

[RebouletThrow]

For the record, that last post is under the assumption that the only way to get autographs is by buying a voucher.

[orioleman123]

This blows. It cuts out the people between the ages 15-17.. I'm 17 years old and this fricking blows.. I'm gone to fanfest for the last 7 years.. Thanks Orioles.. Now what does the 15 dollars cover, does it cover just one session or the entire event

[crowmst3k!]

Autographs are mostly lost on me.

It's cool to have one, but I really don't have any decent memoribilia to have signed, usually it's just a baseball.

I'll probably throw 15 bucks their way and grab an autograph because it's charitable.

Last fanfest I got a Brad Bergesen autograph, and that was all I was really aiming for. I'm a big Brad Bergesen fan.

[FarmSystem]

For fifteen dollars you should be able to buy a few certified autographed cards from a major sports card company (Topps, Upper Deck etc.) on ebay. Brian Roberts has plenty that are very cheap, some include pieces of game used jersey too.

I stopped going after the 2004 one that was so packed that people were just walking through without tickets unnoticed. We bought our tickets and literally turned around to see people leaving the line and walking through without paying.

[isestrex]

Good thing I'm not an autograph hound

Sounds like a great way to help out charity.

[Who's On 1st]

I have no problem with it as long as it is for charity.

[GoldGlove21]

If the entire 40-man roster shows up then we are talking about $37,500 for charity. Do I expect all 40 members to be there? No. Do I expect 25 members? Yes. Still looking at $25,000, which the Orioles might match knowing how Angelos feels about charity efforts.

[Remember The Alomar]

I really have no idea how anyone can complain about this.

[cindyluvsbrady]

How do we feel about this?

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2011/01/fanfest-set-for-jan-29.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

There seems to be NO good way to do this:rolleyestf:

Everything is$$$$$$$$$