Autographs and Minor League Games

[Coolstavi]

Are any teams going to allow players to autographs cards/balls this year? I imagine you won't just be able to go down there. Wondering if any teams are going to have 'drop-offs' and then the players can sign and give them back. If anyone has heard anything that would be great to know.

[premium1981]

Are any teams going to allow players to autographs cards/balls this year? I imagine you won't just be able to go down there. Wondering if any teams are going to have 'drop-offs' and then the players can sign and give them back. If anyone has heard anything that would be great to know.

I went to a Spring Training game between the Braves and Red Sox a couple of weeks ago. Pache was dropped a ball by a kid to sign, which he signed and returned. A clubhouse official came by shortly after and was pissed. He said players are not supposed to be signing anything, and there is supposed to be no direct interaction. I think this will cool as summer heats up, and the minor leagues will probably be a little more lax that this was, but I wouldn't expect a lot. I expect very limited interaction. Especially when the clubhouse guy was saying how seriously MLB is taking it.

[2005nfldraft]

The two ballparks in my region aren’t seating anyone closer than Row 6, to keep players a safe distance from the fans. I’d imagine they’ll also be policing the first and third base lines pregame to do the same thing. I wouldn’t expect much of anything this year in autographs, but I hope I’m wrong.

[mj91534]

I think as the summer goes on and more people get vaccinated it will change

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[yanksfan1]

To start the season I would be very surprised if players are allowed to sign anything in-person. MLB released some very strict COVID protocols for minor leaguers away from the stadium on the road so I imagine at the stadium will be even more so.

[awz50]

Hopefully they will sign some, but I doubt it. The MLB is going full strict mode on any kind of player to fan interaction

[PejaD]

Baseball America shared the MILB operations manual for COVID a few weeks ago, but it's behind a paywall. It sounded like it is similar to the MLB policies.

[TimBuckTwo]

Row spacing and the net will be obstacles for autos.

[tonedef2oo8]

Support a local beggar and buy a ip auto on eBay

[lambeauleap87]

Support a local beggar and buy a ip auto on eBay

This contribution was as predictable as the sun setting in the west today.

I'd assume things will be pretty slow this season, if there's much activity at all. Maybe by May, when more guys are hopefully vaccinated, we'll see things open up as protocols are relaxed, but guys will absolutely say they won't sign because of it. Nothing wrong with that, but some will be more legit than the others.

[r0yals2012]

I don't think so, but maybe by like August or September they will be more lenient? I plan to take my DSLR camera to games and take pictures of the guys and put them on instagram or twitter and tag them so they can see them. Maybe if they like them I can send them to the stadium and they can sign them for me. I hope next year will be full go because I really miss ip graphs

[OscarOne]

I think a near zero chance for this season. I dont see teams changing policies once the season starts. Its a bummer. Especially since TTM is largley a waste of time. I wish we would see more private signings with mid-tier prospects. Gosh knows i would pay for Indians guys...

[ucLAkers]

They are not this year. They arent even signing right off the bus before Hotel check-in which is usually the best way.

[messier2]

Here is a note from my local team:

Players will not be permitted to sign autographs or toss baseballs into the stands per MLB regulations.

Wow, this is going to be a very different minor league experience-year!