March 1, 200521 yr I had a feeling this would happen since my last trip to Jupiter. Players are concerned that the fans are getting in the way too much during workouts, and already barricades are going up to keep them away. One one hand, this is bad news for autograph aficionados. On the other hand, there is a very legitimate security concern, as star players are literally swarmed by spectators as they exit the practice fields, even stopped for autographs during practice (a clear no-no). Crowds getting too close for players' comfort By Joe Capozzi Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Tuesday, March 01, 2005 JUPITER ? Marlins players trying to work on their swings and pitches during spring training say they've been getting another workout that won't help them on the field ? maneuvering through spectators. "This place is worse than Dodgertown,'' said Marlins catcher Paul Lo Duca, who played for the Dodgers before he was traded to Florida in July. "They don't have it roped off here. They're just all over you.'' Fans have not interfered with workouts, Lo Duca said, except for the occasional ringing cellphone while pitchers are throwing to catchers. But Lo Duca said he is concerned for fans' safety. Only a chain-link fence 2 feet away separates fans from pitchers during their drills. On the St. Louis Cardinals' side of the complex, fans can't get as close. "They're right there, and the kids get their fingers in the chain-link,'' Lo Duca said. "I just don't want a kid's fingers getting drilled.'' In 2003, a woman was hit but not injured by an A.J. Burnett pitch that sailed over the fence. The Marlins practice on four fields that are arranged in a cloverleaf pattern. Fans can congregate in the center of those fields, meaning players must wade through them on their way to drills. "I just don't like it when they let them so close when you're trying to switch fields,'' outfielder Jeff Conine said. "Then they get mad at you if you don't sign, but they don't understand that we're on a tight schedule.'' Another issue has been the throngs of autograph-seekers who congregate near the players' parking lot every morning to collect signatures from players walking from their cars to the clubhouse. On Monday, stadium officials erected barricades preventing fans from gathering near the parking lot. But the barricades will be removed starting today because Marlins' management decided against restricting fan access. Before that decision was made, a fan voiced his displeasure. "Spring training is about having fun and getting autographs and getting close to the players, but for some reason they don't think that's necessary,'' said Bill Mattis of Drexel Hill, Pa. PalmBeachPost.com
March 1, 200521 yr Author :lol Remember all the 'So-in-so sucks because he wouldn't sign my ball' threads? 698288[/snapback] Seriously, some of these people are obsessed with autographs so much it's almost scary. Forget balls, they hound players with bats, clipboards and large binders full of baseball cards. I know someone who pretends to be a photo journalist in order to gain access to the players' parking lot. Then he pounces on them as they approach their vehicles. It's very disturbing.
March 1, 200521 yr I know someone who pretends to be a photo journalist in order to gain access to the players' parking lot. Then he pounces on them as they approach their vehicles. It's very disturbing. 698297[/snapback] Brilliant idea! :lol
March 1, 200521 yr Crowds getting too close for players' comfort "Then they get mad at you if you don't sign, but they don't understand that we're on a tight schedule.'' Being so close might not be a good idea but this is b.s. Tight schedule? These guys work out for a few hours then its off to the golf course. Besides, the point of spring training is for them to be so close. It's what makes ST worth going to.
March 1, 200521 yr Crowds getting too close for players' comfort "Then they get mad at you if you don't sign, but they don't understand that we're on a tight schedule.'' Being so close might not be a good idea but this is b.s. Tight schedule? These guys work out for a few hours then its off to the golf course. Besides, the point of spring training is for them to be so close. It's what makes ST worth going to. 698340[/snapback] Yeah, no kidding... all these guys take afternoon naps. They work like 5 hours per day at most.
March 1, 200521 yr lets turn it around. imagine being at working and trying to walk to the building while throngs of people swarm your and ask you to sign stuff. that sucks man these people are doing there job and besides most autograph hounds only get them to turn around and sell them on ebay...... :banghead
March 1, 200521 yr I'm going to have to agree with Mr. Mattis... "Spring training is about having fun and getting autographs and getting close to the players, but for some reason they don't think that's necessary,'' said Bill Mattis of Drexel Hill, Pa.
March 1, 200521 yr I think that they need to keep fans at a distance. If a plyer wants to come up and sign some autographs, let him do so. But there should not be any interuptions while they practice. We wants them to be good at what they do. distractions do not help at all. There are people that are unfortunately obsessed w/ autographs and it just needs to stop.
March 1, 200521 yr I'm going to have to agree with Mr. Mattis... "Spring training is about having fun and getting autographs and getting close to the players, but for some reason they don't think that's necessary,'' said Bill Mattis of Drexel Hill, Pa. 698676[/snapback] silly me, i thought spring training was about the players you know, training in the spring for the upcoming season. ideally, i'd be riding loduca piggyback while he plays but dude's got a job to do, dig?
March 1, 200521 yr I'm going to have to agree with Mr. Mattis... "Spring training is about having fun and getting autographs and getting close to the players, but for some reason they don't think that's necessary,'' said Bill Mattis of Drexel Hill, Pa. 698676[/snapback] silly me, i thought spring training was about the players you know, training in the spring for the upcoming season. ideally, i'd be riding loduca piggyback while he plays but dude's got a job to do, dig? 698989[/snapback] LMAO this was honestly, the funniest post in a while
March 1, 200521 yr I'm going to have to agree with Mr. Mattis... "Spring training is about having fun and getting autographs and getting close to the players, but for some reason they don't think that's necessary,'' said Bill Mattis of Drexel Hill, Pa. 698676[/snapback] silly me, i thought spring training was about the players you know, training in the spring for the upcoming season. ideally, i'd be riding loduca piggyback while he plays but dude's got a job to do, dig? 698989[/snapback] Quote of the day, right there folks.
March 2, 200521 yr I'm going to have to agree with Mr. Mattis... "Spring training is about having fun and getting autographs and getting close to the players, but for some reason they don't think that's necessary,'' said Bill Mattis of Drexel Hill, Pa. 698676[/snapback] silly me, i thought spring training was about the players you know, training in the spring for the upcoming season. ideally, i'd be riding loduca piggyback while he plays but dude's got a job to do, dig? 698989[/snapback] pure awesome. :thumbup
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