IP Autos at pro stadiums, ie Comerica Park

[alan1000]

Hello everybody, Its a little short notice, but I will be attending my first tigers game on Wednesday the 13th. I have some questions that Im hoping the great people hear can answer baed on experience at Comcerica Park or any other MLB stadiums. Thanks

1: I love to get autographs, but Ive only gotten them at Whitecaps games. Whats the best way to get them at Comerica? Ive heard theres a players garage you can wait at after the game, where can this be found?

2: How early should I arrive for the game? I know I should be early to attempt to get autographs around the field. Its a 1:05 game so I know gates open at 11:30. I was thinking of leaving Grand Rapids around 7 which would mean getting there between 9:30 and 10. Is that early enough?

3: Any advice? Or anything I should know ahead of time?

Thanks everybody.

 

[tigsfan]

1: I love to get autographs, but Ive only gotten them at Whitecaps games. Whats the best way to get them at Comerica? Ive heard theres a players garage you can wait at after the game, where can this be found?

The best success rate will be at the parking garage, but it is possible to get something pre-game (but expect to get shut out). If you attempt the home side, get as close to the dugout or left field line as you can. Players are not out until security kicks you to your seat, so depending on where your ticket is at I can tell you how good of a chance you have at a Maggs or Miggy type player.

The parking garage is down that same left field line, across the street from the Beer Hall corner of the park. Look for the removable barriers on the sidewalk and a big crowd of people - because that is the place. I'll tell you a few things about it later.

2: How early should I arrive for the game? I know I should be early to attempt to get autographs around the field. Its a 1:05 game so I know gates open at 11:30. I was thinking of leaving Grand Rapids around 7 which would mean getting there between 9:30 and 10. Is that early enough?

tigsfan's trick #1: it really doesn't matter as long as you stand at the right entrance. I go in right where the parking garage is because that gate does not have a long line until ~30 to 45 mins before the gates open. If there is a giveaway or you want a program, you will be able to get one right at that spot too.

3: Any advice? Or anything I should know ahead of time?

First of all, never try to get more than 1 per on any player. I suggest doing the visitors side until the Tigers come out as they will be on the field and only a dozen other guys will be trying for something too (then you can try multiples). If you have a little kid w/ you, a good arm length, or more noticeable items to get signed, you stand a much better chance to get a signature - in a mob of 100 folks going for 1 guy, you need to have a leg up (my arm span helps me a little bit).

The longer at the parking garage, the more you will get. Phil Coke, Rick Knapp, Jeff Jones, and Brandon Inge have stopped both times I have done it. tigsfan's trick #2: you need to plan to wait for Inge for 2-2.5 hours after the game ends in order to get him - but he will sign 5 or 6 items a person if you want that much.

Any other questions, I can try to help you out some more.

 

[alan1000]

All of that sounds like a lot of help. I was actually going to pm you in the morning and ask for some info. Got a couple questions about the parking garage.

Are you talking about using Gate C (Adams and Brush)? If so is the parking garage across from the stadium? Or under the stadium? I remember when I went to a lions game in october I saw a van drive down under the stadium near all of the big name statues. I could of swore it was Dombrowski .

Or Gate D (Montcalm and Brush) where the map below has labeled "Tigers Parking Garage"?

Im basically going by the map here: http://mlb.mlb.com/det/ballpark/areainfo/index.jsp?content=directions.

Thanks,
Alan

 

[tigsfan]

That map is correct, you would want D. A is the main entrance (w/ the big tiger in the front), so you go around the corner and you will see the parking garage from there, and the gate I'm talking about is about 2/3 of the way down.