Autograph collecting is a tradition whose history has been well documented years before the concept of an organized baseball pre-season training regime took hold at the professional level. However, for both baseball fans and collectors, the phrase “pitchers and catchers report” signifies the start of a baseball season that—from beginning to end—encompasses nearly nine-months. Spring Training’s annual tradition also designates the start of another annual season for collectors, referred to as TTM: Through-the-Mail autograph collecting.
It’s that time of year again, when Major League Baseball players prepare for the season at Spring Training. It’s also the time baseball fans build their In-Person and Through-the-Mail autograph collections.
The long periods of down time, curfews and restricted geographical access provides the players ample time to respond to fan mail. That doesn’t mean that they all will, but now is the time to try because the closer the start of the regular season gets, the less likely your chances will be for autograph success.
When sending autograph requests TTM, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of success. By following these simple guidelines, you should have a mailbox full of autographs by Opening Day.
1. Use a legible hand written note;
2. Address the player by Mr. ____________ ;
3. Make mention of a memorable moment in their previous season or career;
4. ASK with a “please” and “thank you” for their autograph;
5. Wish them luck this season;
6. Include what you want autographed (baseball cards are the easiest and least expensive item to mail);
7. Include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope).
While you are obviously free to send balls or photographs, be sure your return package has the required postage according to the new rates. It’s also generally a good rule of thumb to not send items that you would be upset if they aren’t returned.
The relaxed access and reduced media scrutiny provides the players the opportunity to interact and engage with fans more easily than at their home ballparks. These are also the situations where you’ll fare better in having items signed that you wouldn’t send through the mail, such as jerseys or bats.
In addition to TTM autographs, Spring Training provides the ideal environment and access for IP, or In-Person, autograph collecting. If you have the means to vacation in either Florida or Arizona, the numerous centrally located ballparks provide numerous opportunities to connect with the players at the training facility. The relaxed access and reduced media scrutiny provides the players the opportunity to interact and engage with fans more easily than at their home ballparks. These are also the situations where you’ll fare better in having items signed that you wouldn’t send through the mail, such as jerseys or bats.
Whatever method you choose to pursue, remember to be respectful. Players don’t owe it to us as fans to sign autographs, but it is quite the thrill when they do.
Below is a listing of Spring Training address for each team:
GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE
CACTUS LEAGUE
Atlanta Braves
Champion Stadium
ESPN Wide World of Sports
Complex
700 South Victory Way
Kissimmee, FL, 34747-4100Baltimore Orioles
Ed Smith Stadium
2700 12th Street
Sarasota, FL 34237-3000
Boston Red Sox
Jet Blue Park
11581 Daniels Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33913-7872
Detroit Tigers
Mailing Address:
Detroit Tigers
2125 N. Lake Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33805-5012
Miami Marlins
Roger Dean Stadium
4751 Main Street
Jupiter, FL, 33458-5203
Houston Astros
Stadium address is:
Osceola County Stadium
631 Heritage Park Way
Kissimmee, FL, 34744-6110
Minnesota Twins
Hammond Stadium
14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway .
Fort Myers, FL, 33912-4314
New York Mets
Digital Domain Park
525 NW Peacock Blvd
Port St. Lucie, FL, 34986-2210
New York Yankees
George M. Steinbrenner Field
1 Steinbrenner Drive
Tampa, FL, 33614-7064
Philadelphia Phillies
Bright House Field
601 Old Coachman Road,
Clearwater, FL, 33765-2321
Pittsburgh Pirates
McKechnie Field
1611 Ninth Street West
Bradenton, FL, 34205-7223
St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium Address:
Roger Dean Stadium
4751 Main Street
Jupiter, FL 33458-5203
Tampa Bay Rays
Charlotte Sports Park
2300 El Jobean Road
Port Charlotte, FL, 33948-1120
Toronto Blue Jays
Florida Auto Exchange Stadium
373 Douglas Avenue
Dunedin, FL, 34698-7913
Washington Nationals
Space Coast Stadium
5800 Stadium Parkway, Ste 101
Viera, FL, 32940-8013
Arizona Diamondbacks
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258-4013Chicago Cubs
HoHoKam Park
1235 N. Center Street, Ste B
Mesa, AZ 85201-2639
Chicago White Sox
Camelback Ranch
10710 West Camelback Road,
Phoenix, AZ 85037-5072
Cincinnati Reds
Mailing address is:
Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex
3125 S. Wood Blvd
Goodyear, AZ 85338-6917
Stadium address:
Goodyear Ballpark
1933 S. Ballpark Way
Goodyear, AZ 85338
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians Player Development
2601 South Wood Blvd
Goodyear, AZ 85338-6914
Stadium address:
Goodyear Ballpark
1933 S. Ballpark Way
Goodyear, AZ 85338
Colorado Rockies
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Kansas City Royals
Surprise Stadium
15946 N. Bullard Ave
Surprise, AZ, 85374-8844
Los Angeles Angels
Temple Diablo Stadium
2200 West Alameda Drive
Tempe, AZ, 85282-3197
Los Angeles Dodgers
Camelback Ranch
10712 W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85037-5072
Milwaukee Brewers
Maryvale Baseball Park
3600 N. 51st Avenue
Phoenix, AZ, 85031-3005
Oakland Athletics
Phoenix Municipal Stadium
5999 East Van Buren
Phoenix, AZ, 85008-3410
San Diego Padres
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave
Peoria, AZ 85382-5811
San Francisco Giants
Scottsdale Stadium
7408 East Osborn Road
Scottsdale, AZ, 85251-6424
Seattle Mariners
Peoria Sports Complex
15707 North 83rd Ave
Peoria, AZ, 85382-3827
Texas Rangers
Surprise Stadium
15960 North Bullard Ave
Surprise, AZ, 85374-8844
Rob Bertrand has been an active collector of sports cards and memorabilia for more than 20 years. His involvement in the hobby community is well documented, having been the content manager for the Card Corner Club website before the company’s merger with CardboardConnection in 2011, where he is now a staff writer and multimedia content producer. Rob is also the co-host of the sports collectibles hobby’s only live and nationally broadcast radio show, Cardboard Connection Radio. He is the author of the highly respected and trafficked blog, Voice of the Collector and you can follow him on Twitter @VOTC. A dealer himself, Rob runs an online business through eBay, and is frequently asked to consign collections.
WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth