by Hector-Arturo Ruiz

Created on: April 05, 2009

When I lived in Florida, going to Spring Training games was something I did with my wife and kids as often as we could after work or on weekends. We liked watching the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox.

My kids the way they are, like any kids, just idolize those big leaguers, they want to grow up and play baseball just like these guys someday. They collect baseball cards and watch the se players on TV, paying attention to what they do and how they play, day after day. So, one day, my son says to me, "Dad, I want to meet some of the players at the next game we go to, can you help me?" Well, at first I had no idea to answer that question. How could me, a common blue collar worker at a local plant, find a way for my kid to meet the players? Well, I talked to some people at work and found out there was this public events where a bunch of the players hang out and meet and greet, sign autographs and such.

If you know who to ask or read the papers and websites, you can find out about these public events. I took my two older sons to this event, and they were so thrilled. Some of the players actually talked to them, my sons were just ecstatic. Also, I found later on, that if you get to the baseball park way early or stay after the games, it's not too hard to meet the players.

In Spring training, they are all pretty laid back and low key and don't have a problem so much with connecting with the public and talking to kids and adults. They are really quite friendly guys, more than I thought they would be, from what you see on television every day about how bad these athletes are and everything.

Some teams also have special Spring Training games where they have special opportunities for their fans to come onto the field or meet somewhere else to meet the players on that team, even the major super stars. At these times, there are many, many fans who show up so you want to get there as early as possible if you want to get in on the action.

I have to say it is definitely a lot easier to meet the players on the major league baseball teams in the spring during Spring Training when they don't have to worry so much about winning and everything than during the regular season when they are under a lot more stress and pressure.

So, just remember that if you want to meet baseball players during spring training you can , just ask around, read the papers, keep with what the team's public relations staff puts out, you'll get your opportunity.

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