As Dodgers seek 'data' on autograph policy, fans say all kids count
T.J. SIMERS
Fans object en masse to new rule cutting off access to field box seats after complaints. Some fans offer their tickets as the team takes its time looking at issue.
Hundreds of Dodgers fans e-mailed, most unhappy with the team's new rule keeping everyone but the rich kids from getting autographs in Dodger Stadium.
"I bleed Dodger blue," wrote Héctor Javier Preciado. "I never felt that it was privileged royal blue."
Two days later, and no one in the Dodgers' administration has called Russell Wise, the fifth-grade teacher's aide at Blythe Street Elementary in Reseda.
Wise e-mailed about Keanne, one of his students, who had been hoping to get an autograph, only to be rebuffed by the restrictions the unwashed now face at Dodger Stadium.
A nice Dodgers move would have been to hire a bus and arrange for every kid at Blythe Street Elementary to attend a Dodgers game, making sure the players were waiting for them with Sharpies ready to sign. But that would have taken some thought.
"I attended the game last Tuesday with my boys," wrote Chris Molony. "Like Mr. Wise, we too were not allowed to get anywhere close. We considered going out to the centerfield area, but we were told we could not get back into the stadium if we left the stadium level. I cannot express to you the disappointment in my boys after I had pumped them up for the week prior to the game."
Several Dodgers fans, meanwhile, offered their tickets to Wise. "He can have my two dugout seats," wrote Bill Shupper, "so he can have a better shot at getting autographs for his schoolkids."
Tim Heiden, a Barstow police officer, said he has been blessed in life. "Please let me know whose autograph the little boy wants, and I will do everything in my power to see he gets it."
Hope the McCourts aren't planning on driving through Barstow any time soon.
CALLED THE Dentist, the Dodgers' new PR guy, and he said nothing has changed for the kids, but "we've had vigorous debate today about it. We need more data."
Happy to oblige.
Kyle Daniels: "The move by the Parking Lot Attendant to 'secure' the box seats from autograph-seeking fans is flat-out LAME! If kids are alienated from the game, what do we have left -- although maybe we should keep the kids away from some of these players and their bad influences. Why don't the players look out for their fans, the kids who sleep next to their gloves in their rooms decorated in Dodger blue?"
Eddie Alvarez: "How about pay toilets next? But only outside Aisle 40 and 41, and anything above field level."
