This is another of my pet peeves about good things gone wrong. Right up there with the Bobblehead frenzy.
My official position:
Jersey auctions are a great thing. They raise money for a charity, add a little character to the uniforms and break up the monotony of a long season. Don’t get me wrong… I’m all for the idea.
What I don’t like, is how the people act during them. Some observations over time.
1. A clipboard being ripped out of a bidder’s hand mid-bid when the deadline was met. The clipboard cut his hand and the employee offered no remorse for their actions.
2. A 60+ yr old woman blocking the auction table with the skills of a Pro Bowl Tackle.
3. A person trying to get close to the table only to be pushed away by “observers.”
4. A child crying because the player’s jersey his parents bought didn’t deliver the jersey.
5. General panic, anger, pushing and shoving.
All of this over what? A theme jersey.. one of kind. Of a Triple A team for a player who will most likely be in town for only one year. They will not accrue value, not with the prices going from $2-500 each. Being that they are autographed, most will not wash them and even more likely never wear the jersey. Yes, I understand that the point is getting money to the charity but let’s examine the points above and how they relate to charity.
1 – Ok, this is just poor implementation. Soon after it happened there was a change and a “tablecloth” sweep method was applied. Poor judgement on that individual and an example of how “I was just following orders” doesn’t always apply.
2 – This is about greed. Straight selfish, immature greed. (Yes, I feel strongly about this) To stand and block another bidder from trying to donate to a charity is sad. Think about it, if someone outbids you.. bid higher. If they get it in before the deadline and you can’t get another bid in.. well good for the winner, try again next time. If you really HAVE to have the jersey… put a really high bid down so that no one will outbid you. Oh, your finances don’t allow you to spend more than $200 on a novelty item? YOU SHOULDN’T BE PARTICIPATING IF IT PLACES YOUR FINANCIAL WELL BEING IN JEOPARDY! This is about having fun and, most importantly, raising money for charity. It’s not a competition! It’s not a game! It has, however, become an obsession for some.
3 – Again, not being allowed close to the table. Let these people in. They want to participate too. Ok, there are some looky-loos who just want to see what the bids are.. “How DARE they step by my clipboard!?” you ask? Get real. This is FOR CHARITY!
4 – This is one of those double edged sword. No one wants to see a kid cry. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it promised, but most of the time the players come out after the game to present the jersey to the auction winners. Sometimes they don’t. I can feel for both sides on this one. The kid wants to meet a player and the player just got done with what could have been 3+ hours of physical activity. They smell, they are tired and if the team lost their spirits are low. Some suggestions for those who wish to meet a player… say hello to them. They are people too. Get to know them. You would be surprised on who you run into out on the town (and not just at nightclubs). Be polite, say hello.. offer some encouragement to the team. These folks are not unapproachable. Keep in mind though, don’t be annoying. Would you want someone following you around your backyard with a sharpie while you’re mowing the lawn?
5 – The problem with all of this isn’t the auction, it isn’t the charity.. it’s the people. The “I want it now!” “I NEED it!” “I HAVE to have it!” mentality is just wrong. To fight and argue over something so insignificant is a sad addition to what I feel is an incredible fan base. I guess every group of people has that 10%.
Pointing out flaws without suggestions for improvement? Not today…
1. If sticking with the current Auction procedures… create a “Bidder’s only” lane. Get a few of those movie theater strap stands and block off an aisle. If you’re not physically in the act of bidding, out you go. Perhaps set the clipboards at an angle so others can see them from a distance. The blocking of bidders by others is a shameless and pathetic move intended to save money.
2. A friend recently attended a game with jersey auction at another park. What I feel a true silent auction was held to sell these jerseys for charity. Slips of paper with a line for name, phone address and bid amount were placed in front of a closed box. Bidders put their top bids on the slips and walked away. There was a time limit, not an inning limit. Say, 9:00pm sharp. Get a clock. Instead of worrying, wondering half watching the game and half watching the bid sheets there would be a countdown. Really, I like this idea. People will write down what they are willing to pay. Sure, it won’t induce a bidding war but I feel that a “Fear of the unknown” will prompt folks to bid more. How many times have you seen a jersey go for $200 and think to yourself, “I would have paid $250… darn, shoulda bid.”
Again, just my personal thoughts. I feel strongly about this and am seeking your views on the same. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean 🙂
OinK
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
I was there for Sunday’s auction. I bid on a jersey and when I stopped back later, I had trouble getting near the clipboards to check how the bid was holding. I had been outbid (I finally caught a glimpse of the bids) and decided pushing my way through the crowd wasn’t worth my trouble. I liked the jerseys but lets face it, none of them fit me. That’s probably the last jersey auction I’ll participate in. I am sure that isn’t a problem since I seem to see a lot of the same people on the field collecting their wins. They must have a lot more available funds than me. They are on the field wearing a jersey from a previous auction and pickeing up their next one.
I like supporting the charities so one of the best charity fundraisers I have seen was the bat and cap sale about a week ago. They were selling cracked game bats and game worn caps for $20 each. I got a real nice cap that fit me (so I can wear it) and a slightly cracked bat that I’ll be using next year for auntographs. Those will have a lot more meaning to me in the future. Of note were several of the caps which were signed by the players. I saw a couple from Stephen Register. $20 for an autographed cap is cheap.
To eliminate the crowding and shoving at the jersey auction table the IronPigs could instead is pre-register bidders. Prior to first pitch and during the first 3 innings of the game, interested bidders would report to fan services, fill out a bidder form, provide their payment information and be assigned a number.
Instead of the clipboard table they could set up one or two large white boards with each participating player’s name listed and station an intern at each. Bidders line up on a dedicated bidder line like you suggest and place a verbal bid with the intern who then records it on the white board along with the bidder number. This would enable the rubber neckers as well as the other bidders to be able to easily see the current leading bid.
When the auction is nearing an end they could then issue a 2 minute warning and accept final bids. Following the game winning bidders would then proceed to the field to retrieve their item.
I think IronPigs fans do not realize how fortunate they are to be able to meet the players following a jersey auction. Many teams simply launder the shirts after the game and make them available for pick up or mail them out at a later date with fans never coming into contact with the player/s.
I like the $20 hat and bat sales and hope they continue that. This gives everyone a chance to pick up a game used collectible for a supremely fair price.
I’ll echo the previous comments. $20 Hat and Bat sale was great. I’ll participate in this every time. Give us some notice that it will be taking place, however. Might boost ticket sales. I’ll buy a ticket just to get in to have this opportunity. Participated in one jersey auction in year one. Never again. Only a matter of time before there is a real fight or incident if the current manner of handling this continues. On line auctions are safer but you lose the “meet and great” aspect after the game.
CSPigsFan,
I hope they will do the $20 bat and hats sale on a regular basis, and yes I wish they would give more notice. I had made plans already last time they conducted a sale and didn’t hear of it until game day. Had I known in adnvance I would have been sure to be there.
Asuggestion; why not do one the last game of every homestand?They could collect all the used items up and sell what they have that last game. Since it would be on a set day we would be able to plan on it.
I participated in one jersey auction last year and will not do it again either. Aside from the rudeness of some fans, after winning we were shoved in the dark tunnel and could not see the game. It happened to go into extra innings and people were getting angry. They finally allowed us to sit in the empty seats near the Pigs Dugout.
If I win a jersey I still want to enjoy the game I came to see. I see no need to herd folks into a tunnel when we can just meet on the field after the last out. The players have to go into the clubhouse to change out of the jerseys, so there is plenty of time, and heck if you are late getting back, then you lose your chance to meet the player.
Jersey auctions are a great fundraiser for IP charities, but too rich for my blood. I have a jersey hanging in my closet that I will never wear. With that said, anyone interested in a 2009 Dave Huppert game worn and signed pink jersey?
1) While reading this post, I had the same rope line idea you posted in your suggestions. You should have to go to the back of the line to bid again. Would prevent bullying and intimidating people from bidding if they have to keep getting back in line (and possibly running out of time.
2) It’s my understanding (can never get close enough in proximity or funds to even try to bid) that the bidding ends promptly at the end of the 1/2 inning. Could be an awfully random time with double plays or a quick 1-2-3 inning. Why not have it be as the next half inning STARTS. The amount of time is fairly standard and would allow for a countdown and a more orderly ending.
3) They could generate more excitement by posting recent prices between innings once or twice a game (“as of the top of the 2nd, the jerseys are going for the following prices”) on one of the video screens (bullpen or big screen).
Do you forward these types of suggestions to the IronPigs, or know if they read them? I remember thinking there some great ideas pre-season about various aspects of the team that could use tweaking. Are the receptive to fan input like this or do we end up just spinning our wheels?
While I can’t guarantee that the organization is taking the time to read our thoughts, I’d like to think they do. We have seen results of our inquiries before, the General Admission season ticket being the prime example of the IronPigs hearing us fans and responding accordingly. If you want a more direct way to make suggestions or comments to the IronPig’s front office staff I would suggest to contact them via their website and/or via Twitter @IronPigs. Seeing a lot of good comments on this topic! Keep em coming! 🙂
I don’t know what the solution is, but I have exactly zero patience with adult collectors who ruin something fun. Come on, now — this is a kids’ game. That’s what makes it beautiful. For a few hours, we can all come to the ballpark and forget our problems and be kids again. Adults fighting over toys are a major buzzkill. I mean, I’m not gonna lie: I think we all know that if I had a game-worn Sandberg jersey, I’d either frame it and light saint candles in front of it or sleep in it until it fell apart at the seams. But there’s no way I’d get hateful with somebody or shortchange a charity to get it, and if a little kid had his heart set on it, I’d try to help him get it, because as far as I’m concerned, a ballpark is a giant shrine to childhood joy, and the minute you forget that, the magic is gone.
I will admit…I’m a jersey auction fanatic. The boys pick their players they like and we try to get their jersey. We have 2 from every season. The first season, I won the Mother’s Day one via the raffle. The best $10 ever spent!! I still say my grandmother picked that one out from Heaven for me since she passed of Breast Cancer.
It does get crazy up at the table. I do like putting a line so people can walk by, post a bid and move on. However, it should just be enough that someone behind the line can reach over to sign their name under it if they want to get that players jersey. This past auction was crazy. I was watching Tagg’s jersey b/c the boys touch Tagg’s bat before every game they are at. I was behind a person who was watching another jersey and I could at least see over him, but it was stressful in the same sentence. We are finished for jersey auctions this year (unless we hit the lottery) because they are getting to expensive for our tastes. It is great to get to meet the players and I do feel that if you asked my boys what their favorite part of the auctions is, they would say meeting the players. We have been lucky, aside from Brennan King first season, we got to meet all of the players whose jerseys we “won.” They are always nice enough to let me get a picture with them and the boys with the jerseys.
Maybe the jerseys should all be posted on Ebay charity auctions —- period. Then no crowds, no regrets, you bid or get outbid plain and simple. IP management could make arrangements for those winning their auction jersey and coming to a game in the near future to have a meet and greet before a game. If you can make it great, if not, the jersey is already signed and in your possession.
I bid on a jersey this past auction, won, but not the one I was hoping for. Way too crowded, too congested pushy people. I bid high so I wouldn’t be outbid. And yes I will wear the jersey even though it will be like a mini-dress( Schwimmer is tall!) And CS if you want to clear out space in the closet, I might just be interested in a pink #24 Huppert jersey.
Another thing they could try is going through the stands selling tickets for a previously worn game jersey. Syracuse does this carrying the jerseys with them as they sell tickets. You don’t even have to leave your seat. Actually the charity make make more money over the season by trying that and not just selling chances at the table.
Did Schwimer really sign his jersey with “Phear the Phro” ? 🙂
Yes he did!
AGREE 100%,TRUE SILENT AUCTION-You are right on with the true silent auction suggestion. Drop your bid in a can. Those people that say they may not raise as much money this way are dead wrong. SAD TO SAY: I was told people actually get a couple of LARGE PEOPLE on purpose to block the table. SAD..
I admit that I have not participated in the jersey auctions. First, between the tickets and the beers and the hats I buy–I leave enough money over there already–not to diminish the good cause, though.
I’ve heard of the crowds, too, so that keeps my away. Finally, I find most of the jerseys kind of ugly. I’d be more likely to get involved if they were auctioning the regular jerseys.
So here’s my suggestion: put an auction module in the IronPigs app. Everyone can bid from their seat. If you’re not at the game, your jersey will be held at fan services. Everyone can see the bid prices from their phones and a big disclaimer about those trying to jump in at the last moment. We’re all familiar with this from ebay losses in days gone by. Oh, you don’t have a phone? Well, a sponsor, say, AT&T or MetroPCS could loan smartphones from a table in the (yes) AT&T Plaza for those wishing to participate in the digital auction. That’s my solution: better living through technology.
Oh, one more thing: there is much circumstantial evidence that this blog is being monitored by Pigs On High.
DOES ANYONE WANT TO BID ON THE MONEY SHIRT??
I already have a custom designer for the money shirt! 🙂